The difference between Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant is small. Both voice assistants offer fantastic capabilities.
First Let’s Start By Outlining the Obvious: What is Amazon Alexa?
Amazon Alexa is a virtual assistant technology created to help make everyday tasks easier. The term “Alexa” refers to the voice that operates inside the line of Amazon Echo devices, such as Echo Dot or Echo Show.
When you set up devices on the Alexa app that connect to Amazon Echo, you can ask Alexa just about anything. When you speak to Alexa, your request gets processed through Amazon’s cloud. As a result, Alexa can play music, set your alarm clock, check the weather, or even dim the lights.
Alexa makes your daily life simpler and more efficient through voice control. These capabilities are just the tip of the iceberg, however. Voice assistant technology is evolving every day and Amazon is at the forefront of this shift.
Digital assistants are meant to make our lives easier. These gadgets are relatively young but the ecosystem is expanding rapidly. Smart assistants can help with the tasks above, which are simple in nature.
In the future, these Alexa Skills will perform more duties than just being a home speaker. They will respond to longtail searches and more complex tasks. With each new inquiry, Amazon Alexa’s technology will get better and better.
What is Google Home?
Google Home is a smart speaker that uses Google Assistant to help users set up and control their Google products. In 2019 Google Home rebranded and rolled up under the Google Nest brand, therefore we tend to refer to the products as “Google Nest smart speakers and displays,” collectively.
When you set up these smart home devices, such as Chromecast, lights, or thermostats, you can access and control them through voice control, keyboard input, and smart display on the app.
The term Google Assistant refers to the artificial intelligence behind the voice. The app is designed to show the status of your home and help users manage routines. By simply saying the words, “Hey Google,” you can play music or shut off all your smart devices at once.
Google Nest speakers and displays also let you ask Google Assistant all kinds of queries just like you can ask Alexa: to set timers, translate languages, play music, etc.
Here Are the Things Google Home Can do That Amazon Alexa Can’t
While Google Nest smart speakers and displays and Amazon Alexa are practically the same, Google Nest smart speakers and displays are usually a better fit for homes that use Google-powered devices such as Chromecast, Nest Thermostats, and Nest Cams.
- Google Express → Google Nest smart speaker and display users can access Google Express through the smart speaker, which allows you to shop online and make purchases by voice command.
- Google Play → Although Alexa users may have Amazon music, Google Nest smart speaker and display users can access Google Play.
- YouTube → Since YouTube is owned by Google, Amazon Alexa users cannot use YouTube through voice commands on their Echos. This feature is only available for Google Nest smart speaker and displays.
- Multiple Commands → Unlike Alexa, Google Assistant can handle multiple commands at once. This allows for more natural conversation and easier interaction.
- Voice Changer → This may seem like a simple feature, but it can be a big deal to some people. Google Assistant has a few voice options depending on users’ preferences.
Here are the Things Amazon Alexa Can do That Google Home Can’t
Amazon Alexa may be more useful in a home that uses Amazon Fire Stick, Amazon Ring Cams, Amazon Doorbells, and even the ecobee SmartThermostat. These are some other perks to Amazon Alexa that Google Nest smart speaker and displays don’t share.
- Messages → Unlike Amazon Alexa, Google Nest smart speaker and displays cannot send or receive text messages. This is a convenient feature that can work on iPhones and Androids.
- Delivery Notifications → Since Amazon Alexa is an Amazon product, it can give status updates on packages and delivery notifications upon arrival.
- Whisper Mode → Alexa has a whisper mode in case you have an emergency situation or feel extra tired after waking up. Not only will it pick up on your whisper, but it will respond back in a low tone as well.
- Music → While both smart technologies can play music on Apple’s Spotify, Amazon Alexa has access to Amazon music too.
- Blueprints → The Alexa app allows users to create their own custom commands, such as stories, greetings, or games.
- Alexa Guard → Alexa Guard has a security system that will alert users of any unusual noises around their house, such as a smoke alarm or invasion.
- Change Voices → That’s right, you don’t just have to use and/or listen to Alexa, Amazon also allows you to use and listen to Ziggy.
Can I use Google Home and Amazon Alexa Together?
Google Nest smart speakers and displays and Amazon Alexa can work together. Since they both have different terms, if you say “hey Google,” Alexa won’t respond. This might be useful for users with varying technology and smart home products. Since both have different features, this might make sense for users who want full voice control in their homes.
Which One Has Better Reviews?
As of now, Alexa tends to have the upper hand with home integration because it supports a longer list of devices. However, Google Assistant is more intelligent and has better social skills. So the better option boils down to what users are looking for out of their smart home experience.
Which One Has Better Speech Recognition?
Both Google and Alexa offer voice profiles that allow users to train the devices to recognize their voice. It can be hard to say which smart home system has the better speech recognition. In the past, Google has dominated slightly. Alexa has been catching up, though, and both are considered on the same level of reliability.