Google Home or Amazon Echo?

[slag]

I received a google home for Christmas. It was so easy to set up and man, is it awesome. I don't have it hooked up to any home automation stuff yet, but just interacting with it is fun. And the speaker has a nice rich sound. Very surprising how good it sounds and carries throughout the house.
I'm going to start researching the home automation thread and see what else it can do, but we're totally hooked so far.

 

[purbeast0]

Software, not OS.

Ummm ... do you think OS is hardware or something?

 

[Fritzo]

Saw a Consumer Reports bit on the news this morning. They said Google would be better than Amazon very quickly as the were making improvements faster than Amazon.

Question though, does your Android phone come on when you are using the device on say "ok google"?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

That's my biggest issue right now. Amazon has had a 2 year head start on Google in this arena. However, Google and a much larger infrastructure and more resources to throw at Google Home. As it stands, the Echo is a lot more polished than Google Home:

- Alexa rolls off the tongue better than "OK Google"
- Alexa controls more devices
- Alexa accepts more commands

However:
- Google retains your last command for context, so you can hold a conversation
- Google has more support products: email, calendar, notes, office apps, a bigger music/video library, etc that have the potential to be accessed

So, my choice will be Google Home, but not now. I'll wait until the next version when they get more support for devices and link into all of Google's services. Google has a reputation for abandoning hardware too, so it might be good to wait that out a bit. At very least, they need to allow you to name your device instead of using "OK Google".

2017 will be the year of home automation though- expect a lot of smart devices under the tree next Christmas.

 

[slag]

That's my biggest issue right now. Amazon has had a 2 year head start on Google in this arena. However, Google and a much larger infrastructure and more resources to throw at Google Home. As it stands, the Echo is a lot more polished than Google Home:

- Alexa rolls off the tongue better than "OK Google"
- Alexa controls more devices
- Alexa accepts more commands

However:
- Google retains your last command for context, so you can hold a conversation
- Google has more support products: email, calendar, notes, office apps, a bigger music/video library, etc that have the potential to be accessed

So, my choice will be Google Home, but not now. I'll wait until the next version when they get more support for devices and link into all of Google's services. Google has a reputation for abandoning hardware too, so it might be good to wait that out a bit. At very least, they need to allow you to name your device instead of using "OK Google".

2017 will be the year of home automation though- expect a lot of smart devices under the tree next Christmas.

I think a lot of the things you desire will be all in software. Renaming your device, device support, etc. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to integrate my work calendar (lotus notes), with my home google calendar, so I can list everything going on that day, work and home related.

 

[Fritzo]

I think a lot of the things you desire will be all in software. Renaming your device, device support, etc. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to integrate my work calendar (lotus notes), with my home google calendar, so I can list everything going on that day, work and home related.

I also thing the base should have acted like a wifi hub. I'm thinking the next version will combine their Home and WiFi "hockeypuck" products into one unit.

 

[ponyo]

I also thing the base should have acted like a wifi hub. I'm thinking the next version will combine their Home and WiFi "hockeypuck" products into one unit.

That would be smart and cool. I hope they do that. Google Home should have Google Wifi point built in. That would be a selling point for me.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I also thing the base should have acted like a wifi hub. I'm thinking the next version will combine their Home and WiFi "hockeypuck" products into one unit.

Actually I wish the Google Home had a cut down version like the Echo Dot that was cheaper because it lacks the speaker. One issue with loading any of these devices with too much hardware is that drives up the cost for additional units. I have only had my Google home for about a month and I already wish I had about four to cover the downstairs of my moderately sized home. Once I got most of my downstairs lights converted over (and I put Chromecast Audio powered speakers in almost every room that my wife with a golden ear helped me sync) the Google Home became an essential part of our home. Even at the current prices for the current model I will for sure own two more within a year.

One thing I certainly agree with is the concept of how easy it is to imagine the Google Home to be better than it is. Not only a different trigger word, but multiple account support (by voice profile), better calendar support, and Gmail support. I think consumers will fix some of those problems before Google can though.

For example, I stole the idea of my favorite podcast to rename my wife's Google account (the one the Home is tied to) with both of our names as one name (ake a First name of "Jack and Jill") so a "Good Morning" command addresses us both. A bigger deal is my sister came to visit for Christmas and she discovered she could trigger it with "Ok Lulu" which is the first I have heard of the Google Home responding to a real name. I can't get it to work with my voice yet, but I am going to play around with it and hopefully soon instead of talking to a corporation I will just have a Lulu assistant in my home.

I also made a new video that shows off a little bit of everything- light control, tv control, Netflix and photo integration:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjScBQcg7XA

My 2017 will basically be committed to turning my entire house over to my new Google overlord.

 

[slag]

That would be smart and cool. I hope they do that. Google Home should have Google Wifi point built in. That would be a selling point for me.

Agreed. I want to buy more anyway for the home, one for the basement, one for my bedroom, and keep one in the kitchen/living room area. Definitely looking into a smart things hub, but also wondering if wink will be accepted soon on their list of supported devices. I want to integrate some lighting and garage doors into the mix, as well as some other things.

 

[slag]

One thing I certainly agree with is the concept of how easy it is to imagine the Google Home to be better than it is. Not only a different trigger word, but multiple account support (by voice profile), better calendar support, and Gmail support. I think consumers will fix some of those problems before Google can though.


My 2017 will basically be committed to turning my entire house over to my new Google overlord.

GH definitely needs multiple profile account support. It works great for me, but my wife also wants to use it.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Agreed. I want to buy more anyway for the home, one for the basement, one for my bedroom, and keep one in the kitchen/living room area. Definitely looking into a smart things hub, but also wondering if wink will be accepted soon on their list of supported devices. I want to integrate some lighting and garage doors into the mix, as well as some other things.

I can recommend the Smarthings Hub for sure. I got one to work with the Google Home and it is very easy to integrate so far. Smartthings has a huge community that makes it so the number of compatible devices is almost limitless. My friend that has Hue lights also says that works perfectly with the Google Home.

GH definitely needs multiple profile account support. It works great for me, but my wife also wants to use it.

That is exactly why I tied it to my wife's account instead of mine. I figure I can accept some rough edges, but the more she uses it the more I get approval to buy more and deck out the house.

The issue so far is all the photos are in my account, so I have to go and share everything with her soon to get that fixed. You have to figure Google has this set as a priority, but the whole device feels like something Google started on when the Echo hit. Very early days.

 

[foghorn67]

Ummm ... do you think OS is hardware or something?

No. Clearly it's some pasta like form.

 

[SunnyD]

I got an echo dot for my wife for Christmas. Okay, I really got it for me, but she already likes it. We've scratched the surface of what it can do, and turning the house into a smart home is going to take a good investment, but I'm seeing a lot of potential. Alexa is established, a lot of vendors are jumping on, it's really easy to extend. Google likes coming in and trying to disrupt, but I don't think they'll be able to unseat Amazon. That's my choice.

 

[sportage]

I was one of the first Echo users.
I like the voice quality of Echo
I also like the look of Echo and the rotating blue light, and the home automation ability, BUT...

I wish one of these two gadgets could make and take phone calls either on their own using some sort of VOIP or thru integration with your cell phone.
I'd love to just sit there and say "ALEXA, CALL FRED".
Or when the phone rings say "ALEXA, ANSWER CALL".
Or "ALEXA, DIAL 123 456 7890".

Some may not realize the ECHO can read books off your Audible.com list, or read the kids a story.
And I would LOVE to have an Echo type thingy in my car so I could just ask while driving around lost "ALEXA, exactly where the hell is Pizza Hut?".
Or, "ALEXA, guide me to the nearest Mobile gas station".
And Siri won't do it. Siri is one dumb broad.

Home control with Alexa is a bit of a pain to set up but once achieved it works really well.
But I like the ability of Google Home to integrate with chromecast (even though I don't have anything chromecast).
A lot of this stuff, google home and the echo, have a lot of potential but slow with implementation.
Home automation was a huge plus, especially the idea of walking into a dark house and saying "alexa, lights on" and all devices you grouped under the name "lights on" will turn on.
And when I leave the house I will say ALEXA, PLAY JAZZ or PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC to entertain the doggies. Then the dogs won't feel so alone.

I like the Google Home ability to redirect a command to a second or third Google Home device in some other room. Echo can not do that if you have more than one Echo.
I like the idea you can tell Google Home to "play jazz in the living room", or if a kid is asleep and you want to wake them up and they have a Google Home in their room, to say "ok google, play hard rock in Fred's room".
Again, Echo can not do any of that.

But what I really want out of these devices as my #1 wish list is the ability to make and take phone calls .
Heck, I would pay extra for some dedicated VOIP service linked to the device.
Say that if Amazon offered its own VOIP-Echo linked phone service, or the same with Google and Google Home. I'd pay for that.

I see a lot of potential in both devices, Echo has some advantages over Google Home, and Google Home some advantages over Echo.
Damn....
I guess I will just have to buy and try both.
I already have 3 Echo's but we always have eBay should Google Home take the lead over Echo.
I do not want to repurchase all new home control devices that interact with Google Home. I already spent enough buying the WeMo devices for the Echo.
No way I will repurchase new home automation devices for the Google Home.
And we know, we all just know that somewhere Apple and a ton of others are busy building their own devices to compete with Amazon and Google.

I have this bad feeling that just as with power adaptors, we will have a ton of home interaction devices where none are compatible with the other.
Or not compatible with home automation devices in general.
If you own Echo, you will need their home automation devices, and if you own Google Home you will need only Google Home compatible devices.
And add to that future home interaction devices from Apple, Yahoo, Roku, Sony, Samsung, etc etc etc.

 

[sportage]

I got an echo dot for my wife for Christmas. Okay, I really got it for me, but she already likes it. We've scratched the surface of what it can do, and turning the house into a smart home is going to take a good investment, but I'm seeing a lot of potential. Alexa is established, a lot of vendors are jumping on, it's really easy to extend. Google likes coming in and trying to disrupt, but I don't think they'll be able to unseat Amazon. That's my choice.

Home automation is probably the major plus with Echo.
You name the various home automation devices (most likely WeMo brand devices), giving a unique name to each device. Then with Echo you can either control a device individually by speaking the device name or on the Echo-linked website create "group names" then add select individual devices into that group.
I.e. a group name such as "lamps on" could turn every lamp in the house on.
Or all the lamps in a specific room at the same time.
Nice when entering a dark house, or when you hear something in the night that wakes you up and you just tell Echo "alexa, lights on", and all the devices under the group name "lights on" will come on lighting up the whole house.
You can create as many groups as you want, give it a group name, and then add individual devices into that group.
Echo will control all devices within the group and all at once when that group name is spoken to alexa.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I was one of the first Echo users.
I like the voice quality of Echo
I also like the look of Echo and the rotating blue light, and the home automation ability, BUT...

I wish one of these two gadgets could make and take phone calls either on their own using some sort of VOIP or thru integration with your cell phone.
I'd love to just sit there and say "ALEXA, CALL FRED".
Or when the phone rings say "ALEXA, ANSWER CALL".
Or "ALEXA, DIAL 123 456 7890".

Pretty sure you can do most of that with Alexa and IFTTT.

And I would LOVE to have an Echo type thingy in my car so I could just ask while driving around.

That is the #1 reason I want a Google Pixel phone. Since it has Google Assistant it is basically a portable Google Home.

And Siri won't do it. Siri is one dumb broad.

Pretty sad that Apple came first with Siri yet never improved it. I had to actually tell a friend who has been an Apple loyalist for a decade "don't invest in HomeKit stuff, Apple is way far behind in home automation." He was a little surprised and offended when I said that, but after I explained what my Google Home could do he bought one that very day. Tim Cook is Apple's Steve Balmer.

A lot of this stuff, google home and the echo, have a lot of potential but slow with implementation.

I don't feel that way, both companies are rolling out announcements, upgrades or plans for services every week. Google put out a development kit and said it will work with Weemo, Amazon upgraded the Echo to handle multiple units in the house in October. Compared to the snails pace of computer CPU development, or even the saturated smartphone market, voice assistants are moving at a breakneck pace. This is an overused term, but it feels like "the next smartphone." In ten years almost everyone will talk to their houses.

I have this bad feeling that just as with power adaptors, we will have a ton of home interaction devices where none are compatible with the other.
Or not compatible with home automation devices in general.
If you own Echo, you will need their home automation devices, and if you own Google Home you will need only Google Home compatible devices.

That doesn't seem like a valid fear. Both already have a lot of overlap on devices and I bet that will increase quickly when Google developers catch up. The real "problem" is a lack of clear winner in home automation devices, but this is early days. I am sure in ten year there will be an obvious answer circa Microsoft in the 1990s. And we will bitch about that lol.

 

[Fritzo]

I was one of the first Echo users.
I like the voice quality of Echo
I also like the look of Echo and the rotating blue light, and the home automation ability, BUT...

I wish one of these two gadgets could make and take phone calls either on their own using some sort of VOIP or thru integration with your cell phone.
I'd love to just sit there and say "ALEXA, CALL FRED".
Or when the phone rings say "ALEXA, ANSWER CALL".
Or "ALEXA, DIAL 123 456 7890".

.

Get Ooma and you can do this...

 

[Newbian]

None for obvious reasons:

 

[Ravenit]

I'm sure the Google home will eventually bring out a smaller PUC like device.
The home for me struggles to hear you from a distance.
Kids really like talking to the home and trying to find funny trigger words for the home to reply to.
Integrated well with our hue lights.
Google will win the race if they can keep evolving the GH.

 

[JackBurton]

apple has the worst software and would be the worst choice out of the 3. they are basically a hardware + appstore company, and a nonstory for anything else they create. Their inhouse software is always 4th tier. behind Google, amazon and microsoft.

Depends on what you want to do. If you want to ask these personal assistants random questions, I'd put Alexa and Google over Siri. However for home automation, Apple's HomeKit is the most secure, straight forward and reliable option available.

 

[Darwin333]

Am I the only one that sees a potential problem with always on internet connected microphones made by, and connected to, companies whose core business is collecting as much information about you as possible?

 

[Fritzo]

Am I the only one that sees a potential problem with always on internet connected microphones made by, and connected to, companies whose core business is collecting as much information about you as possible?

Yes. Information isn't being recorded...it's only being processed when a keyword activates the connection, and after that it only stays active for a few seconds.

If they wanted to record everything you said, the amount of data would be too large to handle...not to mention turning all of that metadata into something usable. There wouldn't be enough payoff to have someone listen to millions of people all the time.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Depends on what you want to do. If you want to ask these personal assistants random questions, I'd put Alexa and Google over Siri.

What about if I want to use my voice to turn off lights, turn down my AC, or turn on my TV without my phone or watch around?

However for home automation, Apple's HomeKit is the most secure, straight forward and reliable option available.

Most of the cool things people do with Homekit completely rely on IFTTT hackery or homebridge-plugins. I wouldn't call any of that crap reliable. Or secure really, when you have to download stuff off a third party website to have anything cool security goes out the window. Homekit is more secure when you color within the lines, but we are years away from this market being stable enough to have every option (or even a fraction of the options) inside the lines. Meanwhile the Echo works with almost every hub and device, and the Google Home works with all the big players.

My Google Home works out of the box (no third party hackery) with a Smarthings hub with no hacks and no IFTTT. It understands context in a way Siri could never understand. It works with a network of Chromecasts (again, no IFTTT hacks) to serve content on every screen or speaker in my house, even in sync if I want.

Apple is years behind the cutting edge when it comes to home automation.

 

[nakedfrog]

Am I the only one that sees a potential problem with always on internet connected microphones made by, and connected to, companies whose core business is collecting as much information about you as possible?

Nope.

Yes. Information isn't being recorded...it's only being processed when a keyword activates the connection, and after that it only stays active for a few seconds.

If they wanted to record everything you said, the amount of data would be too large to handle...not to mention turning all of that metadata into something usable. There wouldn't be enough payoff to have someone listen to millions of people all the time.

Doesn't have to record everything, it can just passively listen and take note of specific keywords that might be of interest and register that as a "hit" and collect that data. And if they wanted to record everything, they just could keep the speech-to-text output and deal with the errors involved, and we all know text compresses extraordinarily well.
Is it likely? I don't know. Is it possible? Absolutely.
Look at the datacenter the NSA was building to keep our cell phone data.

 

[Fritzo]

Nope.

Doesn't have to record everything, it can just passively listen and take note of specific keywords that might be of interest and register that as a "hit" and collect that data. And if they wanted to record everything, they just could keep the speech-to-text output and deal with the errors involved, and we all know text compresses extraordinarily well.
Is it likely? I don't know. Is it possible? Absolutely.
Look at the datacenter the NSA was building to keep our cell phone data.

Unless you're looking for something very specific from a specific group, that's still way too much data to handle for a marketing payoff. The NSA does things like this on a group of people that have raised flags, and even then the amount of data they have to sort through is incredible.

People get this image of a guy in a datacenter with a wall of monitors watching and listening to everything you do. This COULD happen if it involved 10, 50, even 100 people. For MILLIONS though, it would be very unwieldy. You'd spend more on the huge data center to handle all of that data than you would gain in ultra-directed marketing based on conversation.

 

[JackBurton]

What about if I want to use my voice to turn off lights, turn down my AC, or turn on my TV without my phone or watch around?

What if you want to issue a voice command away from home? Fact of the matter is, HomeKit enabled devices will work with Alexa, however non-HomeKit devices won't work with Siri or away from the home (using voice commands).

Most of the cool things people do with Homekit completely rely on IFTTT hackery or homebridge-plugins. I wouldn't call any of that crap reliable. Or secure really, when you have to download stuff off a third party website to have anything cool security goes out the window. Homekit is more secure when you color within the lines, but we are years away from this market being stable enough to have every option (or even a fraction of the options) inside the lines. Meanwhile the Echo works with almost every hub and device, and the Google Home works with all the big players.

My Google Home works out of the box (no third party hackery) with a Smarthings hub with no hacks and no IFTTT. It understands context in a way Siri could never understand. It works with a network of Chromecasts (again, no IFTTT hacks) to serve content on every screen or speaker in my house, even in sync if I want.

Not sure where you're getting this information from. The reason people generally use IFTTT is due defeciencies with the junk equipment they bought, not due to HomeKit. I have a full Lutron lighting setup with EcoBee3 thermostats and Schlage locks, with soon to be added Lutron shades. No IFTTT used in the least. Scenes are set up to trigger a sequence and I have much deeper integration with my components compared to using Alexa or Google. For temperature indoors, I can simply ask Siri, "what's the temperature on the main floor, guest bedroom, master bedroom, downstairs, etc." With Alexa, it wouldn't be straight forward. You'd have to ask Alexa to initiate some other component to give you the response you need. Some are more direct than others, but often times you can't just say, "what's the temperature indoors." The reason is because it doesn't have the tight integration HomeKit has.

And again, what Apple has provided is a secure platform for automation. The reason it took so long to come to market is because the vendors had VERY strict requirements to receive the HomeKit certification. I'd prefer to have a secure automation platform, than some equipment that some manufacture threw together just to get something to market, with security falling by the wayside.

If you want a hacked together system, with security being the lowest priority, you could probably slap anything together to get it to work. However with the advent of IoT, and it becoming a prime target for hackers, I prefer not to expose my home to more risk than needed, which is why I chose HomeKit ONLY compatible devices.

And yes, HomeKit is at the forefront of home automation. They are just doing it right, rather than throwing a half baked solution to market.