Answer
Jun 04, 2018 - 01:57 PM
To give an unbiased and honest review of all three voice activated devices, I'm going to walk you through the features of each.
Note: In order to interact with each device, you must use the "wake words" or voice commands specifically designed for each to respond.
The "wake word" or voice command for Siri is "Hey Siri".
The "wake word" or voice command for Alexa is "Alexa".
Echo (2nd Generation) - Smart speaker with Alexa - Charcoal Fabric. Buy on Amazon
Fun Fact: I found this quit funny when I read an article of people who are actually named Alexa, complained of Amazon's robot mistaking someone for talking to it instead of the actual person.
According the WSJ:
Last week, when human Alexa’s father, Dean, asked her to grab some water from the kitchen, Amazon’s Alexa wanted to help, too by responding, “Amazon’s choice for water is Fiji Natural Artesian Water, pack of 24. It’s $27.27, including tax. Would you like to buy it?”http://nymag.com/selectall/2017/01/ho...
By the way, this "wake word" can be changed by the user to "Amazon", "Echo" or "Computer" using the setting on the devices, but thought that was funny enough to share.
Google Assistant responds to two sets of "wake words" or voice commands: "OK Google" or "Hey Google". You also don't need to change the settings as Google Assistant will automatically respond to both commands.
Let's start with the Siri Homepod
1. Siri Homepod: The Siri HomePod may technically be a smart speaker, but it's really just all about music and less about the functionality of a voice assistant. For example, Siri can not answer trivia questions. However, Apple employees have come to the defense of their assistant stating that Siri was never designed to answer trivia questions. To me and many others that I've talked to, Siri is the same on the HomePod unit as it is on the iPhone. Really not much difference feature wise.
Note: On the HomePod, unlike the iPhone, Siri can not differentiate between individual voices which means that anyone can say "Hey, Siri" and prompt a response from the Apple smart speaker. You also can't make phone calls directly from the homepod. I acts as a speakerphone instead.
In contrast, both Amazon and Google smart speakers have voice training or (voice recognition) capabilities. With voice training or (voice recognition) between Alexa and Google smart speakers, the entire family can use the smart speakers to get customized responses catered to each family members individual needs which I think is a big plus for Alexa and Google Assistant. The HomePod simply does not deliver that depth of personalization.
According to the Apple website https://www.apple.com/ios/siri/, "Siri is an easier, faster way to get things done. It’s on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod — optimized for each Apple device and ready to help throughout your day. And Siri is always learning. So the more you use it, the more helpful it can be."
2. Amazon's Alexa/ (Echo):
Amazon's ever evolving and popular Echo family of devices keeps going and growing strong. From the first cylinder-shaped Echo, to the big-screen Echo Show, down to the kid friendly Echo Dot, you can get Alexa into your home any number of ways. All three Amazon Echo products can answer your questions, help you order essentials for your home, play all sorts of audio content, and even function as the control hub for your flourishing smart home.
Echo Dot (2nd Generation) - Smart speaker with Alexa - Black. Buy on Amazon
Both Alexa and Google Assistant speakers can dial out using simple voice commands.
Alexa only receive calls from other Echo smart speakers. Mobile phones and landlines are not supported. Google Assistant can't receive calls at all. Unlike making calls, you can send messages from HomePod, Alexa and Google Assistant combined.
Amazon and Google support a wide range of third-party music services, so your Alexa or Google Assistant speaker can play a Spotify song with a simple voice command.
Siri on the HomePod is not equipped with this function. You can only use voice commands to play Apple-approved music services.
3. Google Home Assistant:
Assistant is similar to Google Now in that it allows you to ask questions and get answers as well as make announcements throughout your house (Similar to a schools P.A. system.)
Home is Google’s response to Amazon’s Echo speaker and its built-in assistant, Alexa. Like the Echo, it also has microphones designed to hear you call out within range, and can do things like play music or control your lights and make appointments.
Google Assistant will play music from a variety of sources such as Google Play, Google Music, Pandora, Spotify and YouTube Music - but you can ensure it always chooses the platform you like the best. Head to 'More settings' in the app then choose 'Music' or simply choose 'Music' from the sidebar menu. From there link whatever accounts you want and then select your go-to one as the default player.
https://store.google.com/us/product/g...
It should also mention that YouTube Music and Spotify require premium paid accounts but Google Play Music and Pandora have free options.
Each artificial intelligence assistant has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and of course, the assistants' software-based nature means that they're all constantly evolving at a rapid pace. But for the most part, Amazon Echo a.k.a (Alexa) is the superior voice assistant in my personal opinion. I will continue to update this answer as new information becomes available so be sure to follow this question.
Note: In order to interact with each device, you must use the "wake words" or voice commands specifically designed for each to respond.
The "wake word" or voice command for Siri is "Hey Siri".
The "wake word" or voice command for Alexa is "Alexa".
Echo (2nd Generation) - Smart speaker with Alexa - Charcoal Fabric. Buy on Amazon
Fun Fact: I found this quit funny when I read an article of people who are actually named Alexa, complained of Amazon's robot mistaking someone for talking to it instead of the actual person.
According the WSJ:
Last week, when human Alexa’s father, Dean, asked her to grab some water from the kitchen, Amazon’s Alexa wanted to help, too by responding, “Amazon’s choice for water is Fiji Natural Artesian Water, pack of 24. It’s $27.27, including tax. Would you like to buy it?”http://nymag.com/selectall/2017/01/ho...
By the way, this "wake word" can be changed by the user to "Amazon", "Echo" or "Computer" using the setting on the devices, but thought that was funny enough to share.
Google Assistant responds to two sets of "wake words" or voice commands: "OK Google" or "Hey Google". You also don't need to change the settings as Google Assistant will automatically respond to both commands.
Let's start with the Siri Homepod
1. Siri Homepod: The Siri HomePod may technically be a smart speaker, but it's really just all about music and less about the functionality of a voice assistant. For example, Siri can not answer trivia questions. However, Apple employees have come to the defense of their assistant stating that Siri was never designed to answer trivia questions. To me and many others that I've talked to, Siri is the same on the HomePod unit as it is on the iPhone. Really not much difference feature wise.
Note: On the HomePod, unlike the iPhone, Siri can not differentiate between individual voices which means that anyone can say "Hey, Siri" and prompt a response from the Apple smart speaker. You also can't make phone calls directly from the homepod. I acts as a speakerphone instead.
In contrast, both Amazon and Google smart speakers have voice training or (voice recognition) capabilities. With voice training or (voice recognition) between Alexa and Google smart speakers, the entire family can use the smart speakers to get customized responses catered to each family members individual needs which I think is a big plus for Alexa and Google Assistant. The HomePod simply does not deliver that depth of personalization.
According to the Apple website https://www.apple.com/ios/siri/, "Siri is an easier, faster way to get things done. It’s on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod — optimized for each Apple device and ready to help throughout your day. And Siri is always learning. So the more you use it, the more helpful it can be."
2. Amazon's Alexa/ (Echo):
Amazon's ever evolving and popular Echo family of devices keeps going and growing strong. From the first cylinder-shaped Echo, to the big-screen Echo Show, down to the kid friendly Echo Dot, you can get Alexa into your home any number of ways. All three Amazon Echo products can answer your questions, help you order essentials for your home, play all sorts of audio content, and even function as the control hub for your flourishing smart home.
Echo Dot (2nd Generation) - Smart speaker with Alexa - Black. Buy on Amazon
Both Alexa and Google Assistant speakers can dial out using simple voice commands.
Alexa only receive calls from other Echo smart speakers. Mobile phones and landlines are not supported. Google Assistant can't receive calls at all. Unlike making calls, you can send messages from HomePod, Alexa and Google Assistant combined.
Amazon and Google support a wide range of third-party music services, so your Alexa or Google Assistant speaker can play a Spotify song with a simple voice command.
Siri on the HomePod is not equipped with this function. You can only use voice commands to play Apple-approved music services.
3. Google Home Assistant:
Assistant is similar to Google Now in that it allows you to ask questions and get answers as well as make announcements throughout your house (Similar to a schools P.A. system.)
Home is Google’s response to Amazon’s Echo speaker and its built-in assistant, Alexa. Like the Echo, it also has microphones designed to hear you call out within range, and can do things like play music or control your lights and make appointments.
Google Assistant will play music from a variety of sources such as Google Play, Google Music, Pandora, Spotify and YouTube Music - but you can ensure it always chooses the platform you like the best. Head to 'More settings' in the app then choose 'Music' or simply choose 'Music' from the sidebar menu. From there link whatever accounts you want and then select your go-to one as the default player.
https://store.google.com/us/product/g...
It should also mention that YouTube Music and Spotify require premium paid accounts but Google Play Music and Pandora have free options.
Each artificial intelligence assistant has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and of course, the assistants' software-based nature means that they're all constantly evolving at a rapid pace. But for the most part, Amazon Echo a.k.a (Alexa) is the superior voice assistant in my personal opinion. I will continue to update this answer as new information becomes available so be sure to follow this question.
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