Google Home vs Amazon Echo: Let the Serious Battle for the Home Begin

There has been talk for years about the battle for the home, the living room, the refrigerator, whatever. The concept of one device to rule them all has captivated the tech world with its promise of an impenetrable ecosystem from which consumers who entered would never, ever be willing let alone able to emerge.

The Internet of Things was supposed to spark that contest but it got lost in the endless hallway between price and functionality.

Google vs Amazon is fascinating because it focuses on two different styles of leadership: Google's collaborative approach versus Amazon's more insular control. As the following article explains, both companies are adopting elements of the other's strategy in order to broaden their appeal. Google may have the initial advantage due to the links with its larger and more multifarious options, but no one has ever made money betting against Amazon. And, oh, by the way, just wait till Apple and Facebook join the fray. JL

Brian Chen reports in the New York Times:

The brains of Home draws from Google’s extensive search database, whereas Echo relies on Alexa, Amazon’s assistant. In other words, consumers can expect voice commands that already work with Google’s assistant to work with Google Home.In a recent test comparing virtual assistants from Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft, Google’s assistant was the most capable of performing basic tasks, largely because it drew data from Google’s search engine.

Google introduced Google Home, a voice-controlled, Internet-connected speaker that competes directly with Amazon’s smart speaker, Echo, which costs $180. The company also introduced Allo, a messaging app, and a rebranding of its virtual assistant.

Here’s a quick explanation of what these major announcements, made at the Google I/O developer conference, mean for consumers.

What do Home and Echo have in common?

Home and Echo are both speakers that require a wired power connection. They stream music and perform tasks like web searches, adding calendar appointments and looking up movie showtimes over an Internet connection.

What are the differences between Google Home and Amazon Echo?

Google has yet to share many important details, including a price tag, about Google Home, which is scheduled for release this fall. However, from the announcement we can glean a few differences:

Home, which can easily be held in one hand, is shorter and more compact than Echo.

Both speakers have a cylindrical shape, but the top of Home is slanted downward, whereas Echo’s top is flat. Google is allowing consumers to choose from different colors for the bottom part of Home, while Echo comes only in black. (Amazon also sells a smaller voice-controlled speaker called Tap.)

Most important, the brains of Home will be Google’s virtual assistant, which draws from Google’s extensive search database, whereas Echo relies on Alexa, Amazon’s assistant. In other words, consumers can expect voice commands that already work with Google’s assistant to work with Google Home.

In a recent test comparing virtual assistants from Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft, Google’s assistant was the most capable of performing basic tasks, largely because it drew data from Google’s search engine.

Is Home smarter than Echo?

Thanks to Home’s reliance on Google’s search engine, it will probably be a smarter speaker than the Echo when it comes to basic tasks like web searches and looking up traffic data. However, when it comes to actions offered by outside companies — like the ability to order a pizza from a restaurant or to set your Internet-connected thermostat — Home’s success will depend largely on whether Google persuades third-party developers to create tasks that work with it.

“To do this well we really need to work with developers and third parties so we can provide these actions to our users,” said Sundar Pichai, Google’s chief executive, during his announcement of Home.

By contrast, Amazon has already made great progress with third-party developers for Echo. Alexa is capable of summoning an Uber car, ordering a pizza from Domino’s, controlling smart light bulbs and much more. Time will tell which company’s speaker gets more third-party support, but Echo, which was released last June, has a major head start.

What is Google’s assistant?

Here’s where things get confusing. Google is referring to the virtual-assistant portion of its search product as “assistant.” Previously it was called Google Now, and later it was renamed to just Google.

The problem was that many consumers had trouble distinguishing Google search from its virtual assistant because the assistant lacked a friendly name like Siri or Alexa. The difference now, Google says, is that its assistant is more capable of being naturally conversational than other assistants. Adding to the confusion: Google’s assistant is what comes with Google Home and Allo, the new messaging app. But you won’t summon it by saying “Google assistant.” You’ll just say “Google.”

What is Allo?

Allo is Google’s forthcoming messaging app, which has Google’s assistant built into it. Inside the app, you will be able to type “@google” and say conversational things like “Let’s go out for some Italian food.” Google will then respond with some suggestions for tables to reserve at Italian restaurants using, for example, the OpenTable app.

What’s more, you will be able to have conversations with friends and type “@google” with questions or requests inside those conversations; all people in the conversation will see how Google’s assistant responds. The Allo app will be released this summer for iPhones and Android phones.