Amazon Echo and Google Home

[tbayrgs]

I dont have either of them but 'Alexa" rolls off the tongue better than "Ok google".

I guess. But I also find the Echo gets accidentally tripped by regular conversation or media playing on the TV/speakers. That never happens with the Google Home since, well, nothing in regular conversation comes close to 'Hey or OK Google'. And, FWIW, I use 'Hey Google'--sounds more like you're calling to get someone's attention than 'OK'.

While I already find the GH more useful, I think the upcoming updates are going to push it far ahead of Alexa, at least if you live in the Google ecosystem even a little.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I dont have either of them but 'Alexa" rolls off the tongue better than "Ok google".

That's true.

I guess. But I also find the Echo gets accidentally tripped by regular conversation or media playing on the TV/speakers. That never happens with the Google Home since, well, nothing in regular conversation comes close to 'Hey or OK Google'. And, FWIW, I use 'Hey Google'--sound more like you're calling to get someone's attention than 'OK'.

Also true.

 

[kdarling]

Wow. I did not know. Echo for 3.99 a month gets me 30million+ streaming music catalog. Does google offer similar? Not trolling, and pissed Apple is so late to this game, just wondering?

Yes, love that part. Asking Alexa to play an artist often yields an all night treat.

I dont have either of them but 'Alexa" rolls off the tongue better than "Ok google".

You can also change "Alexa" to respond to "Computer" if you're a Trek fan

I guess. But I also find the Echo gets accidentally tripped by regular conversation or media playing on the TV/speakers.

Yeah, we laugh when we talk about Alexa in front of friends, because we have to wink and say "you know who" to avoid triggering her.

Also when a TV show has a character named "Alexa", you'd better mute the microphones

All that said, I now want to try a Google Home, because Google is so good at deciphering verbal questions.

 

[epicrayban]

What are people's thoughts on the Apple Homepod?

 

[tbayrgs]

What are people's thoughts on the Apple Homepod?

Probably a bit too soon to tell considering we have limited information and there was no real demo. Purely speculation on my part but considering it's not being released until later in the year, I'm guessing we haven't seen it's full capabilities and that there will be additional reveals at the fall event--might be some elements they couldn't announce now as they tie into the fall event. Who knows...

But otherwise, right now it's a big 'meh' from me--it's clearly being marketed as an Apple Music focused product but if you're not a consumer of that service (and i'm not), it's a pretty damn expensive alternative for what the Echo and Google Home can do for quite a bit less. And knowing Apple, it'll probably have far less functionality compared to its competition at launch.

I'm still far more excited about the announced updates for Google Home---let's just see how long it takes Google to actually roll them out.

 

[Zaft]

What are people's thoughts on the Apple Homepod?

Its rather expensive but I guess if the speaker is very high quality than its justified.

Right now "smart" home speakers have no use for me, i'm more interested in Siri improvements. One advantage Apple has is languages as Siri supports more right now.

 

[AppleMichael]

It's more a Sonos competitor I think than Google Home / Echo. Yes it has Siri but they're pushing the sound quality aspect and I couldn't see myself replacing my Sonos speakers with them.

 

[ozaz]

What are people's thoughts on the Apple Homepod?

For me, it would partly depend on how well it can function as a standalone device (i.e. how well you can use it through voice alone). If you need to fall back on iOS devices to get around certain limitations in voice interaction, that would be a deal breaker for me since I use an Android phone. My only iOS device is my iPad which I don't always have to hand.

But in all likelihood, I won't give it any serious consideration because of the existence of more cross-platform friendly options (Amazon Echo, Google Home, Sonos + Echo Dot)

 

[Technarchy]

What are people's thoughts on the Apple Homepod?

Initial thoughts are it's too expensive and I don't trust SIRI one bit.

I connected my Echo Dot to my respectable quality home bluetooth speaker and I am very satisfied with the overall experience and all combined it was only $149.

 

[SigEp265]

Initial thoughts are it's too expensive and I don't trust SIRI one bit.

I connected my Echo Dot to my respectable quality home bluetooth speaker and I am very satisfied with the overall experience and all combined it was only $149.

What speaker are you using with the DOT?

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

What are people's thoughts on the Apple Homepod?

I think it will be great for those that use iOS the majority or all of the time. It will probably integrate better with iOS and Mac OS via iCloud, better than Google Home integrates with Android. If my home was everything Apple, then I would purchase Home Pod in a heartbeat.

But for those of us that don't use iOS the majority of the time, Home Pod will most likely have poor integration with Android and even Google apps on iOS. I doubt Home Pod will allow Keep as a default. And I also wonder about Google Music. I don't have an Apple TV, and I doubt Home Pod will cast to my Chrome cast, Chrome cast audio, Samsung Smart TV, and Roku TV.

A part of me wants to purchase it, and return in several days, just to try it out.

 

[Technarchy]

What speaker are you using with the DOT?

Origin by Zagg.

 

[ryankul]

Have had two Echo Dots for about half a year. Recently got a Google Home and a Chromecast. First thing I noticed is the speaker was better (bigger speaker so I expected). Voice recognition worked just as good as my Dots. I'm not a huge fan of the look or color of the Google Home (white and fabric meh). Was excited to try the casting functionality of the Home with Chromecast. Was quickly bummed yo realize Google Play Movies is not supported (what the ?). Netflix and YouTube both work.

Long story short I returned the Google Home and got a full size Echo in black on sale for $150. Looks great, sounds great, much easier to say "Alexa" to trigger listening then ok Google or Hey Google also. I'm a prime member and I just find playing specific songs etc is easier on the Echo. Sticking with Amazon Echos for the time being. Happy owner.

All just my 2 cents obviously. Both are pretty amazing for what they are capable of.

 

[Zaft]

Have had two Echo Dots for about half a year. Recently got a Google Home and a Chromecast. First thing I noticed is the speaker was better (bigger speaker so I expected). Voice recognition worked just as good as my Dots. I'm not a huge fan of the look or color of the Google Home (white and fabric meh). Was excited to try the casting functionality of the Home with Chromecast. Was quickly bummed yo realize Google Play Movies is not supported (what the ?). Netflix and YouTube both work.

Long story short I returned the Google Home and got a full size Echo in black on sale for $150. Looks great, sounds great, much easier to say "Alexa" to trigger listening then ok Google or Hey Google also. I'm a prime member and I just find playing specific songs etc is easier on the Echo. Sticking with Amazon Echos for the time being. Happy owner.

All just my 2 cents obviously. Both are pretty amazing for what they are capable of.

Can echo cast to the tv?

 

[ryankul]

Can echo cast to the tv?

It does not but considering I have a smart tv I don't really want or need that. Also Home + Chromecast can't even cast your Play movie library so kinda useless for me. Was cool playing with it but only thing I used was YouTube. I have that built in to my smart tv too though.

 

[mattopotamus]

I just got my echo show and it seriously is by far the best smart home device I have used. It is ridiculously fast. "Alexa show me the trailer for war of the planet of the apes"; starts playing in less than a second. "Alexa show me the receipt or fruit pizza"; there in a second.

 

[kdarling]

Just got my Shows too. I didn't realize it would scroll the lyrics while playing popular songs. Pretty slick.

Also just watched some Prime TV Doctor Who on it. Nice addition to my office

Its use of the screen mostly makes sense, like displaying a list of nearby Mexican restaurants when you ask. Can't seem to get it to give me directions to the one I'm looking at though.

Also, "Alexa go back" works sometimes but not always. With a display, you need to be able to go backward in history. At least you can verbally ask it to scroll forwards and backward, left and right.

One thing for sure. If I were paralyzed and only able to see and talk, I'd want one of these.

 

[mattopotamus]

Just got my Shows too. I didn't realize it would scroll the lyrics while playing popular songs. Pretty slick.

Also just watched some Prime TV Doctor Who on it. Nice addition to my office

Its use of the screen mostly makes sense, like displaying a list of nearby Mexican restaurants when you ask. Can't seem to get it to give me directions to the one I'm looking at though.

Also, "Alexa go back" works sometimes but not always. With a display, you need to be able to go backward in history. At least you can verbally ask it to scroll forwards and backward, left and right.

One thing for sure. If I were paralyzed and only able to see and talk, I'd want one of these.

It cannot really do directions. In settings on the Alexa app there is a traffic tab and in there you can pick a start and end location. It can tell you the time to that location. For example, I have mine set to my home and the airport. If I say Alexia give me a traffic update, it tells me how long it takes to get to the airport with the available routes.

 

[kdarling]

Hmm. I hope Google does a "Show" like device. I love the way Google knows lots more than any other assistant, especially when it comes to giving directions

But for now, the Amazon Echo Show looks pretty good for my 92 year old Mother to use.

Hey is there a Flickr or other picture skill for these? I'll have to look. If we could send her pics too, that would be ideal.

EDIT: Oh heck yeah! How come I didn't know that I had unlimited Prime Photo storage???

And you can invite up to 5 family members to share a Family Album. This is great. And you can search by meta tags too.

"Alex play slideshow" or "Alexa show photos"

 

[mattopotamus]

Hmm. I hope Google does a "Show" like device. I love the way Google knows lots more than any other assistant, especially when it comes to giving directions

But for now, the Amazon Echo Show looks pretty good for my Mother to use.

Hey is there a Flickr or other picture skill for these? I'll have to look. If we could send her pics too, that would be ideal.

No flickr. I think Amazon is the only library you can actually load. You can pick any photo on your phone to be the "home" background. Agreed about google and the endless supply of knowledge. It took less than two minutes to realize how nice a screen is on a smart home device. Actually being able to see your shopping list, calendar, etc when you call out a command is pretty cool. I have mine in the kitchen, and I think it will get the most use there.

 

[tbayrgs]

Hmm. I hope Google does a "Show" like device. I love the way Google knows lots more than any other assistant, especially when it comes to giving directions

Not exactly the same but Google announced at I/O that part of the next major update for the Home will include the ability to have information sent to an available screen, i.e. a Cast enabled device or one's phone. I personally think I'd find this functionality far more useful as the value I find in using Alexa or Google Home is not have to be in a very specific location.

 

[mattopotamus]

Not exactly the same but Google announced at I/O that part of the next major update for the Home will include the ability to have information sent to an available screen, i.e. a Cast enabled device or one's phone. I personally think I'd find this functionality far more useful as the value I find in using Alexa or Google Home is not have to be in a very specific location.

I can see the value and frustration with that. I am interacting with the smart home device b.c I want the information there. If I have to pull out my phone to see my request, I should just go ahead and use my phone.

 

[tbayrgs]

I can see the value and frustration with that. I am interacting with the smart home device b.c I want the information there. If I have to pull out my phone to see my request, I should just go ahead and use my phone.

Absolutely, in some cases. And again, this is only my personal use case, but I have a Google Home centrally located in our kitchen/family room/eating area (open floor plan) as it enables us to utilize it easily from many places in our home. I'd personally find it terribly inconvenient to have to stand in one specific location to be able to see the pertinent info vs. having it thrown up to my large TV screen which is viewable from anywhere in this common area, or to a tablet/phone that is easily used from where ever I happen to be standing.

To speak specifically to the directions request--more useful to have those sent to my phone which will presumably be coming which me to the desitation or on a static, small screen in my home?

Again, just my personal use case and how I prefer my home 'assistant' to function. I can easily see how having one with a display in the kitchen, where one's hands are usually unavailable, would be quite useful.

 

[mattopotamus]

Absolutely, in some cases. And again, this is only my personal use case, but I have a Google Home centrally located in our kitchen/family room/eating area (open floor plan) as it enables us to utilize it easily from many places in our home. I'd personally find it terribly inconvenient to have to stand in one specific location to be able to see the pertinent info vs. having it thrown up to my large TV screen which is viewable from anywhere in this common area, or to a tablet/phone that is easily used from where ever I happen to be standing.

To speak specifically to the directions request--more useful to have those sent to my phone which will presumably be coming which me to the desitation or on a static, small screen in my home?

Again, just my personal use case and how I prefer my home 'assistant' to function. I can easily see how having one with a display in the kitchen, where one's hands are usually unavailable, would be quite useful.

Definitely. I think it is really weird they included Amazon Video on it. I cannot imagine a scenario where I am watching a full length movie on screen. The only videos I really plan to use it for is the flash briefing (about 3 minutes long), while I pack breakfast, make coffee and a trailer/youtube clip. Also receipts videos.

It would be nice, like you said, if you could "cast" the information to a TV screen though. I am sure that will work nicely with google casting and the home. You can already tell it to cast videos to your TV if you have chrome cast...err google cast

 

[samcraig]

The only thing I don't like about the GH (vs the Echo) is weather. The Echo is far more comprehensive and you can ask if it will rain today and it will give percentages. A minor thing - but helpful. Hands down the GH is a superior device. But the Echo does a heck of a lot. I actually have a GH in the living room and Echo Dot in the bedroom...