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Alexa will let you make phone calls and send text or audio messages to other Alexa users in your contacts. Plus, if you have an Echo smart speaker, you can use the Drop In feature to start a conversation with anyone else with an Echo device. That means you can instantly drop in on your relatives in another state, or you can set up Echo speakers around your home and use them as an intercom.
This makes Google Home similar to Sonos’ speaker systems, with the added benefit of voice-command technology. You’ll often find the best features with the ranges you’re already plugged into. For example, the Apple HomePod Mini offers a bunch of useful features, but how useful they are depends on how integrated you are with onboard Apple apps.
Google Assistant: who will it suit?
You’ll need to scan the device’s QR code or enter it manually. Because of Apple’s encryption, it’s especially important to make sure the device you choose is HomeKit-compatible. There are plenty of third-party devices that are compatible with Google Assistant. Look at the label for devices that “work with Google.” To sync devices with Google Assistant, make sure they’re both connected to the same WiFi network.
Caroline is the smart homes ecommerce editor for Livingetc, covering everything tech for the home, from smart speakers to air purifiers and everything in between. She is passionate about the role that technology and smart devices can play in daily life, enhancing the home without sacrificing personal style and carefully chosen interiors. In her spare time, she can be found tinkering with bulbs, soundbars, and video doorbells in an effort to automate every part of her small home. Previously, she lent her expertise to the likes of Expert Reviews, IT Pro, Coach, The Week, and more. If you want to buy one or two smart devices, it’s okay to go ahead and pick a few for you.
Overall: Amazon Echo
As a result, the HomeKit ecosystem is somewhat limited, reminiscent of Apple's traditional closed-door policy towards innovation. Also, unlike Alexa, you can't change Google Assistant's default wake word. "Hey, Google" and "OK, Google" are the only available options and are available for use by default. However, if you're using the Nest Hub Max, and have the Look and Talk feature turned on, you can issue commands to your Google Assistant without the need for a wake word.
With a black or gray fabric cloth covering, it can stand either vertically or horizontally. Apple’s HomePod Mini is also a small, compact solution, but it’s nearly double the price of the Echo Dot and Nest Mini. If your budget can stretch and you’re a fan of Apple devices and use Apple Music already, go for the HomePod Mini.
Sound
Some devices for some ecosystems allow 3rd party plugins and software tinkering, which makes them easier to service/troubleshoot. Unfortunately, Apple Homekit devices don’t support such things and as a result, they are harder to troubleshoot. Talking about Google Home vs Alexa, the latter wins the race in terms of third-party plugins and integrations. Moreover, there are tons of resources available on the internet that provide effective troubleshooting solutions.
Alexa’s popularity as a smart home hub is partly propelled by its wide-reaching compatibility.A Statista reportshows that Alexa is compatible with around 60,000 smart home devices. With the budget options, you might not get the best in bass and sound quality, but it isn't any less smart. Google's Home ecosystem is backed by a vast array of Google-branded smart devices.
Smart Assistant
Subscription service via the cloud, providing access to 40 million tracks, 2 million artists, and your own playlists. You can ask it to play a particular artist or song, or to “play more like this” if you hear something you like, or to tell you “who’s singing” on a particular track. It’s apparently even smart enough to know what the top song was on May 5, 2016. Google Home was next, followed by the Google Home Mini and Max, all of which feature Google Assistant and are making huge strides in the voice assistant market. They’re lagging behind Alexa in some areas but dominating in others.
Apple HomeKit is both the easiest and hardest in terms of adding devices. The primary way to connect a device to HomeKit is through a scannable code. These codes have to be kept safe if you remove and wish to re-add a device at a later date. HomeKit also requires a hub in the form of an Apple TV, a HomePod, or a compatible iPad that must be turned on and connected to the network in order to operate. There are certain areas where Alexa isn’t always the best pick, however.
For smaller developers, that might prove a lofty barrier to entry. Well, there are some key benefits to each, but ultimately it probably comes down to what devices you already have. If you find yourself stuck between the two devices, consider using both to improve your life at home. Depending on your location, you may be able to stream music from other services, too. It's best to place each of your devices in a separate area to prevent any instances where they begin communicating with each other.
While there are still alternative email and calendar services to Google's own, it's true that many of us rely on Gmail and its attached services for both work and personal organization. Google knows this, of course, and makes it incredibly simple to hook your email and calendar up to your smart home routines. If you use Google Meet for keeping in touch with family and colleagues, even better.
IPad , Apple TV, HomePod Mini, or any other Apple device, it’s a great idea to go for HomeKit. It offers a fantastic app interface and best-in-class smart home automation features. For example, if you’re watching TV and your doorbell rings, a video screen pops up on your TV and you can know who’s at the door. It's important to note that in order to control HomeKit-connected devices when you're away from your home, you'll need to set up a hub — which can be an Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad. The hub is what will talk to all of your other smart home devices.
There's also multi-room listening, which allows you to network multiple speakers around the home together for parties or to listen to podcasts while cleaning different rooms of the house. This is, of course, useful for broadcasting messages to another room, like calling the kids for dinner. HelloTech editors choose the products and services we write about. The Google Assistant is the best smart assistant for getting directions. Siri and Alexa can handle the basics when it comes to directions or how long the drive will be.
It doesn’t understand complicated requests as well as Google Assistant does, and follow-up questions are more difficult to ask without saying “Alexa” before every request. You cannot customize the trigger word outside of a few preset options. It’s worth mentioning that Google also promises not to share your data without your permission. Having said that, this doesn’t apply to third-party devices or apps. Also, since Google is into the advertising business, it can still use your data to target ads. I see this really being beneficial to any industry that offers on-demand services.
In addition, Alexa can also recognize the individual voices of each of your family members and provide personalised results. In short, it’s a great idea to pick the ecosystem that best suits your existing setup and the devices that you use in your house. Although cloud control is more convenient as it lets you control your devices remotely too, local control gives you more privacy and automation options. You often had to shuffle multiple apps to control different types of devices, and adding family members to those apps was a whole other headache. There may be fewer HomeKit devices available than Google Assistant or Alexa, but all of the major product categories are still covered. Here are some of the best of devices you can buy to set up a HomeKit smart home.
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