Alexa (echo) vs Google Home

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gnfb

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#212739 10-Apr-2017 14:11

For the next month I am running Alexa (thats how I think of it) side by side with a Google Home.

I will report a "laymans findings"

So far , I can tell you that Alexa is winning hands down!

Things like "Alexa convert 190 us dollars to new zealand dollars"

simple stuff.

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

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#1760278 10-Apr-2017 14:58

Subscribed to get updates, watching with interest.

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mattwnz

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#1760282 10-Apr-2017 15:07

Although I haven't compared the two, Alexa is pretty good, considering it isn't tuned for the NZ accent. I have been using it for about 6 months. You would think Googles would be a a lot better considering all the data Google collects from people.

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#1760303 10-Apr-2017 15:15

I run both. Alexa is better for home automation I think. Google is Ok, but doesnt have as many microphones as Alexa and therefore seems to have more trouble hearing.

I'm running the echo dot (and two google homes)

nzkc

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#1760314 10-Apr-2017 15:44

This recently popped up on my Google Cards: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaymcgregor/2017/04/06/google-home-vs-amazons-alexa-54-questions-1-clear-winner/

Gave a pretty good comparison I thought. Its always going to be a YMMV.

Disclaimer: I'm a Google Home owner/user. I have no opinion on Alexa as I've never used one. And therefore I have no opinion on which is the better device.

gnfb

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#1760317 10-Apr-2017 15:45

mattwnz:

Although I haven't compared the two, Alexa is pretty good, considering it isn't tuned for the NZ accent. I have been using it for about 6 months. You would think Googles would be a a lot better considering all the data Google collects from people.

LOL I have an English / mid Atlantic / 15 years on Oz accent maybe that helps

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

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sbiddle

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#1760325 10-Apr-2017 16:02

I think it's pretty bold to be saying that Echo beats Google Home hands down. That's not a view many have.

I have a Google Home and have only briefly played with an Echo. From everything I've read and seen both have their strong points and weak points. IMHO Google Home wins hands down at natural English questions (such as your example above about converting currency) or asking it simple questions how to spell words. Echo wins hands down when it comes to home automation.

Both are severely restricted by not being true multi user devices. That's the whole grail - and IMHO whoever gets their first and nails the implementation is going to win the space.

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scottjpalmer

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#1760380 10-Apr-2017 18:40

THE HOLY GRAIL!!!

nzkc

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#1760419 10-Apr-2017 20:22

So...how do you actually add a second account!? Trying to add my wife's and cannot find where to do that.

mattwnz

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#1760440 10-Apr-2017 20:59

Apparently Googles home has been sneaking in advertising messages. Such as when someone asks for the summary for teh day, it apparently sneaked in an advert for a movie. That is a complete turn off for me. But considering they are an advertising company, it is likely the way they are heading with it. Haven't had that problem at all with the Echo, apart from adverts on Pandora, which you can use for free.

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#1760444 10-Apr-2017 21:04

gnfb:

For the next month I am running Alexa (thats how I think of it) side by side with a Google Home.

I will report a "laymans findings"

So far , I can tell you that Alexa is winning hands down!

Things like "Alexa convert 190 us dollars to new zealand dollars"

simple stuff.

I just asked my Google home that question and it gave me the correct answer.

gnfb

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#1760523 11-Apr-2017 01:03

sbiddle:

I think it's pretty bold to be saying that Echo beats Google Home hands down. That's not a view many have.

I am English I was born bold! ;)

I actually intend to gather some of the data and compare. Again I stress this is done by a layperson , you know like the majority of people. So the test may not be scientific or technical . I simply bought bot units and quickly set them up. I have them sitting on the sideboard within 6' feet of where my desk is.

But give me a bit of time to use them both. I quickly became familiar with the "skills" of Alexa havnt looked into what or how Goggle handles this.

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

I have two shops online allshop.nz patchpinflag.nz
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#1760531 11-Apr-2017 05:08

gnfb:

I quickly became familiar with the "skills" of Alexa havnt looked into what or how Goggle handles this.

so your testing them in a bias manner? doesnt make for much of a comparison

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#1760535 11-Apr-2017 07:05

I find the home is much more useful.

What year did .... come out. What does a .... weigh, things like that which google search is excelent at can be answered, alexa is all sorry I didnt understand the question.

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sbiddle

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#1760554 11-Apr-2017 08:25

mattwnz:

Apparently Googles home has been sneaking in advertising messages. Such as when someone asks for the summary for teh day, it apparently sneaked in an advert for a movie. That is a complete turn off for me. But considering they are an advertising company, it is likely the way they are heading with it. Haven't had that problem at all with the Echo, apart from adverts on Pandora, which you can use for free.

I haven't heard a single advertising message in the 2 months I've now had one at home and used it on a daily basis.

sbiddle

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#1760555 11-Apr-2017 08:25

nzkc:

So...how do you actually add a second account!? Trying to add my wife's and cannot find where to do that.

It appears this may have been a premature announcement from Google.

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