Amazon Echo vs Google Home vs Another Option

applesauce · 11-28-2018, 09:36 AM

I love this forum and how you get really good help when it comes down to working out just what e-reader would work best for you. Is there a forum out there that could help me work out which of these smart speaker would work best for me. So any suggestions on a like-minded forum.

thank you

tubemonkey · 11-28-2018, 10:39 AM

There are two threads in the Lounge dealing with these devices:

Amazon Echo Club -- quite active
Google Home -- dead, no interest

OtinG · 11-28-2018, 12:12 PM

The main thing that turns me off of anything related to, designed by, or sold by Google is their long history of not caring about the security of their customers information. Google would sell its own momma's data to the highest builder. It's all about the money, and customers are treated like data mines wherein Google can get wealthier. I'm sure they make great hardware, but I simply don't trust them when it comes to cyber security.

Just my two cents...

applesauce · 11-28-2018, 11:42 PM

Thank you. I have MS and am looking for one that can do these things.

A shopping list I can add and remove items to then ask it to print to our printer A diary I can make notes to, and again be able to print.
A to do list that I can set multiple reminders to ie 6pm Tuesday put the bins out ie 6pm you have a doctors appointment at 1pm tommorrow, a reminder at 9am on the day of the doctors appointment then again at noon of the doctors appointment.
Basically multiple reminders a count down reminder ie cooking It would be amazing to ask for a word definition ask the time/weather

issybird · 11-29-2018, 07:55 AM

I've got Alexa devices and a Google Home device. My short take on it is that Alexa is far better at tasks; Google doesn't have nearly the functionality. Google on the other hand knows more.

applesauce · 11-29-2018, 08:46 PM

So it is like a husband and wife

thank you both for the insight and laugh

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

I've got Alexa devices and a Google Home device. My short take on it is that Alexa is far better at tasks; Google doesn't have nearly the functionality. Google on the other hand knows more.

Alohamora · 12-05-2018, 10:54 AM

I just recently went with Alexa.

Lots of reasons, but one very important one is that you can rename Alexa. I can see myself talking to Alexa or Echo or Computer. But "OK Google" all the time, no thanks. ("Amazon" as a wake word is even worse.)

I'm going to name mine "computer" once I set it up, just for the Star Trek vibe.

tubemonkey · 12-05-2018, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alohamora

Lots of reasons, but one very important one is that you can rename Alexa. I can see myself talking to Alexa or Echo or Computer. But "OK Google" all the time, no thanks. ("Amazon" as a wake word is even worse.)

I'm going to name mine "computer" once I set it up, just for the Star Trek vibe.

Whatever was Google thinking when they named their virtual assistant "OK Google"? What a stupid name! These assistants need to have shorty, catchy names that are memorable.

issybird · 12-05-2018, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alohamora

I just recently went with Alexa.

Lots of reasons, but one very important one is that you can rename Alexa. I can see myself talking to Alexa or Echo or Computer. But "OK Google" all the time, no thanks. ("Amazon" as a wake word is even worse.)

I'm going to name mine "computer" once I set it up, just for the Star Trek vibe.

"OK Google" is horrible. It's like gargling. "Hey Google" is somewhat easier to get out and also works, but it's not nearly as smooth as "Alexa" or "Siri."

tubemonkey · 12-05-2018, 11:44 AM

Oh, and Google strikes out again by naming their virtual assistant device - Home. What another stupid name! When talking about computers and technology, when someone says Echo, everyone automatically knows they're talking about Amazon's virtual assistant device.

Not so with Home. Are they talking about the home page or smart home technology? Who would ever guess they're referring to Google's virtual assistant device?

OK, let's get with the program, Google!

Alohamora · 12-05-2018, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Oh, and Google strikes out again by naming their virtual assistant device - Home. What another stupid name! When talking about computers and technology, when someone says Echo, everyone automatically knows they're talking about Amazon's virtual assistant device.

Not so with Home. Are they talking about the home page or smart home technology? Who would ever guess they're referring to Google's virtual assistant device?

OK, let's get with the program, Google!

You expected better from the company that named their cloud storage "drive", their spreadsheet "sheets", their photo app "photos", their word processor "docs", etc. ?

stuartjmz · 12-05-2018, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

"OK Google" is horrible. It's like gargling. "Hey Google" is somewhat easier to get out and also works, but it's not nearly as smooth as "Alexa" or "Siri."

I don't (and won't) have automated home devices, but on my phone I very much LIKE the awkward artificiality of "OK Google" as a wake up phrase. It makes it very clear that it's a deliberate, conscious choice - no chance of accidentally triggering it by using someone's name or by having one's pronunciation of a word like "silly" parsed incorrectly. When I say "OK Google" it is because I actually want my phone to wake up. For me, it's a very smart move on Google's part

wodin · 12-06-2018, 03:53 PM

Agreed, that's why when I'm using my phone I invariably use "OK Google", but when I want to turn off the lights or add something to the shopping list or play music it's "Alexa"

'sides that Google is smarter than Alexa, I just wish Duckduckgo had a virtual assistant.

Oh... and Bixby is just a PITA!

11-28-2018, 09:36 AM	#1
applesauce Addict Posts: 387 Karma: 3553492 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Perth Western Australia Device: kindle oasis	Amazon Echo vs Google Home vs Another Option I love this forum and how you get really good help when it comes down to working out just what e-reader would work best for you. Is there a forum out there that could help me work out which of these smart speaker would work best for me. So any suggestions on a like-minded forum. thank you

11-28-2018, 10:39 AM	#2
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,858 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	There are two threads in the Lounge dealing with these devices: Amazon Echo Club -- quite active Google Home -- dead, no interest

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11-28-2018, 12:12 PM	#3
OtinG Old Gadget Guy Posts: 1,913 Karma: 6854865 Join Date: Jun 2018 Device: Oasis 3, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPad mini 6, iPad Air 2020, Alexa Devices	The main thing that turns me off of anything related to, designed by, or sold by Google is their long history of not caring about the security of their customers information. Google would sell its own momma's data to the highest builder. It's all about the money, and customers are treated like data mines wherein Google can get wealthier. I'm sure they make great hardware, but I simply don't trust them when it comes to cyber security. Just my two cents...

11-28-2018, 11:42 PM	#4
applesauce Addict Posts: 387 Karma: 3553492 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Perth Western Australia Device: kindle oasis	Thank you. I have MS and am looking for one that can do these things. A shopping list I can add and remove items to then ask it to print to our printer A diary I can make notes to, and again be able to print. A to do list that I can set multiple reminders to ie 6pm Tuesday put the bins out ie 6pm you have a doctors appointment at 1pm tommorrow, a reminder at 9am on the day of the doctors appointment then again at noon of the doctors appointment. Basically multiple reminders a count down reminder ie cooking It would be amazing to ask for a word definition ask the time/weather

11-29-2018, 07:55 AM	#5
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 21,517 Karma: 236076651 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: Mini, H2O, Glo HD, Aura One, PW4, PW5	I've got Alexa devices and a Google Home device. My short take on it is that Alexa is far better at tasks; Google doesn't have nearly the functionality. Google on the other hand knows more.

12-05-2018, 10:54 AM	#7
Alohamora Evangelist Posts: 446 Karma: 8897438 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: USA Device: Android phone, Fire tablet, ios phone	I just recently went with Alexa. Lots of reasons, but one very important one is that you can rename Alexa. I can see myself talking to Alexa or Echo or Computer. But "OK Google" all the time, no thanks. ("Amazon" as a wake word is even worse.) I'm going to name mine "computer" once I set it up, just for the Star Trek vibe.

12-05-2018, 11:44 AM	#10
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,858 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	Oh, and Google strikes out again by naming their virtual assistant device - Home. What another stupid name! When talking about computers and technology, when someone says Echo, everyone automatically knows they're talking about Amazon's virtual assistant device. Not so with Home. Are they talking about the home page or smart home technology? Who would ever guess they're referring to Google's virtual assistant device? OK, let's get with the program, Google!

12-06-2018, 03:53 PM	#13
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	Agreed, that's why when I'm using my phone I invariably use "OK Google", but when I want to turn off the lights or add something to the shopping list or play music it's "Alexa" 'sides that Google is smarter than Alexa, I just wish Duckduckgo had a virtual assistant. Oh... and Bixby is just a PITA!