Which Robo-Assistant Reigns Supreme?
In 2014, Amazon rocked the tech world by introducing the Echo, a personal assistant device nicknamed “Alexa” that allows users to listen to music, change their schedule, and even order groceries simply by uttering the phrase “Hey Alexa.” Then, Google released the “Google Home,” a similar smart-speaker that’s activated by a request beginning with “Hey Google.” While both devices offer very similar features, there are a few key features that separate each company’s version of the ideal robot home assistant. Here’s how the Google Home and Amazon Echo match up in a few of the most important arenas.
- Round 1: Media delivery. Both the Home and the Echo are, first and foremost, speaker systems, so smart consumers will look for a crisp, clean sound. While the Echo provides rich, deep base tones that the Home struggles with, Google’s Home offers more media compatibility, allowing users to stream from popular sites like iHeartRadio, Pandora, and Spotify. The Home also allows users to stream through multiple speakers at a time, and can even incorporate speakers that aren’t in the home.
Media Delivery Winner: Google’s Home
- Round 2: Conversational abilities. Interacting with a smart-speaker is done through vocal commands, so the success of robo-assistant lives and dies on its conversational abilities. Amazon added a personal touch to its smart-speaker by naming the Echo’s command software Alexa. However, it can only understand one inquiry at a time. On the other hand, Google’s Home can connect questions and understand multiple lines of inquiry at a time.
Conversational Abilities Winner: Google’s Home
- Round 3: Assistant services. Though the Home may have the edge in conversational abilities, Amazon’s Echo offers a much wider range of services. Both systems can create shopping lists, check flight status, play music, and other general tasks. However, the Echo’s rich app-compatibility means that it can also integrate with third-party services. Users can install apps that allow Alexa to order Domino’s, Uber, or even adjust the thermostat of a Nest-compatible device.
Assistant Service Winner: Amazon’s Echo.
Cost of Amazon’s Echo vs Google’s Home
The basic models of both the Echo and the Home are comparable in price. Amazon’s 2nd generation Echo and Google’s 2st generation Home currently cost about $80. However, for consumers on a shoestring budget, Amazon also offers the “Echo Dot” for $30. It has the same compatibilities as the full-sized version but less memory storage for apps, giving a slight edge to the Echo when it comes to comparison.
So what’s the verdict between the Echo & Home Robo-assistants?
The Google Home offers a better sound system design with a more complex artificial intelligence system. Although this allows it to understand sentences structured with multiple inquiries, Amazon Echo overwhelms the Home with its capabilities. As we cast our vote in Alexa’s favor, understand Google Home is a relatively new product that we expect to see develop in the coming years. The Echo will have to keep upgrading its services to keep its position on top.
