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However, lots of users who have put the two devices head-to-head believe Google Assistant could be the smarter of the two. Learning experience, and wider variety of voices than Alexa, it has the biggest potential for the future. Not only is it native to Android, but you can also use it to control apps and phone settings. If you’re lucky enough to live in the right place, you can let Duplex relieve some of the burdens of phone conversations.
Simply say, "Alexa, change your wake word." Alexa will prompt you to pick from the list of offered wake words. Sure, it’s a step up from your phone’s speakers, but not a match for a decent, dedicated Bluetooth speaker. For the Nest Mini, Google Nest doubled the bass and made it possible for the speaker to adjust its volume based on the level of background noise in the room. Although the Nest Mini only has three mics, it does a superior job at picking up voice commands, even from a distance. When it comes to aesthetics, the two smart speakers differ in size, but are both covered with fabric and use LED lights to visually communicate. Set next to one another, it’s apparent that the new spherical shape of the Echo Dot makes it look larger than the Nest Mini — nearly double its height.
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If you have two or more devices in the same vicinity, then it's best to give each one its own wake word. Using the smart hub, Alexa can connect all compatible fire and security alarms, smart locks, and even security cameras such as those from Ring, Arlo, August, etc. Both shopping options can shop by recognized voice, but Alexa provides an additional security code option you can enable for safety. Both the Echo Dot line and the Nest Mini line allow you to use their respective assistants to set up voice shopping capabilities. However, they approach this in significantly different ways. Alexa’s version is a bit more complex, but once you get the hang of it you can easily set up detailed routines based on exactly what you want to do.
This includes supervised accounts that you create for children using Google Family Link. Check out our breakdown of compatible entertainment services to learn what works with each assistant. Alexa recently gained the ability to adopt different vocal tones to match the emotions in news articles and user interactions. You can add as many locations as you like by using the settings menu in the Alexa app.
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This is possible too, though you might have to set up a preferred service like Grubhub or DoorDash. In practice, there's very little brand differentiation for the things you'll do most often with voice controls. The best alternative would be to use the Ask My Buddy skill to place a voice-activated call to friends or family. Alexa sounds more sympathetic than Google, but not as confident. Still, we suppose emotional sensitivity is better than the hasty confidence behind Google Assistant's voice. Google used to allow you to look up specific items with a picture of the actual product, but now it just shows a generic image.
This is great for helping Alexa know where to jump into action when you want to do something. Google Assistant can handle up to three actions in a single voice command. Saying "Hey Google, turn off the lamp and lock the door" is much faster than making separate requests like on Alexa.
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Priced at £239.99 and £189 respectively, both offer a 10-inch HD display allowing you to make video calls and watch videos in addition to the typical smart speaker features. The 4th Gen Dot sounds significantly louder than the Nest Mini. But the Echo Dot’s microphones simply aren’t as sensitive to voice commands. All in all, the Nest Mini wins for voice recognition, and the Echo Dot wins for music playback.
Most recently, Google released the Nest Hub Max, putting Google Assistant in a 10-inch smart display. It's the first product to come out under the converged brand name of Google and smart home security brand Nest. Like the Echo Dot, the speaker is puck shaped, if a little more pebble-like with softer edges, and has a top side covered in a fabric speaker mesh. You can pick up the Google Home Mini in a range of colors, with four flashing LED lights illustrating when it's listening to your commands and showing the volume level. With beefed-up sound at the price of a standard Echo model it's well worth looking at the third-gen Echo if you're thinking of buying a new smart speaker.
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You can also make video calls using Duo on Google Nest Hub max. However, it has a rigid syntax which makes it somewhat hard to use. In this context syntax means the specific way in which you speak to the voice assistant or how you voice your commands. While we can’t conclusively say which is better than the other, since your opinion may differ.
If it’s audio you’re after, both devices are speakers and can play music, podcasts, audiobooks, and any other audio you throw at them. Since neither has a screen, however, don’t look for them to work with video. While we haven’t mentioned it much here, Apple’s HomeKit is the other major player in the world of smart home platforms. This is the ideal pick if you want to control your smart home from your iPhone or iPad, and it works with a fair few third-party devices along with the Apple 4K TV and HomePod Mini. If you’re surrounded by Apple tech at home, it’s the obvious choice but it doesn’t integrate with as many smart home devices as Google or Alexa do.
Google has released smaller versions of the Home, including a cheaper unit and one with better sound quality . Google is also working with third parties, and Google Assistant is available on both Android and iPhones, though features are somewhat limited on the latter. However, you can't send text messages with Google Assistant without a workaround using IFTTT. Unlike Alexa, Google Assistant can make international calls, if linked to a Google Fi account or Google Voice account that has credits.
But, what sets it apart is the notch on its underside, which allows you to hang it on a wall. The main issue with the Google Home has little to do with the Home itself. So you can limit the volume of its responses and music playback after a certain hour. A Digital Wellbeing feature allows you to filter what music the Home will play. You can also set downtime hours when the Home won't respond to your commands.
Alternate dialects may be available, and sometimes, multiple languages can be used simultaneously. In the US you can choose not just English or Spanish, but a combination of the two if you’re in a multilingual household. Alexa quickly answers common questions, like the distance to the sun or the name of Canada’s Prime Minister. When that’s not enough, it can fall back on services like IMDb or Wikipedia, although there are some gaps in its wisdom. Alexa and Google Home each support up to six user accounts, though Google handles its accounts much better than Alexa. For Google, you can add anyone to your home for free as long as they have a Google account.
It doesn't have the helpful photos or categories, but doesn't require the website. Here’s another music feature that the Echo Dot simply doesn’t have. If you want the same music played through every connected speaker in your house, Google Home can facilitate that.
For example, with Alexa, you can have your smart lights turn on if Alexa hears a window breaking or a fire alarm; or, you can activate smart home devices based on your location. With few exceptions, Google Assistant only lets you control individual smart home devices by creating a schedule or by speaking a command. Alexa vs. Google Assistant is the Ali/Frazier of voice assistants.
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