Google's Home Hub is Missing a Camera. Here's Why That's a Smart Idea

At Tuesday's Google event, the company unveiled the extensively leaked Pixel 3 and 3 XL smartphones, in addition to both a new ChromeOS tablet, the Pixel Slate, and a new smart home assistant in the form of Google Home Hub. While Google's made smartphones and tablets in the past, the Home Hub is the first Google Assistant-powered device from the company that incorporates its "smart display" functionality, providing users with a touchscreen that lets users interact with their home in addition to using voice control. It's also one of the few smart home hubs with a display that's missing an integrated camera. Depending on who you ask, it's either a flaw or a feature. At first glance, the $149 Home Hub looks oddly traditional.