Google Home or Amazon Echo
Discussion
Do you have an Amazon Phone? If not get the Google one. Google are a long way ahead when it comes to the software side of things, they were just slower to market with that particular hardware, though Google Now has been around for a few years, though that was more phone orientated.
If you have the latest version of Android you don't need to buy either though, you can just use your phone and add a Chromecast to any sound source you want to use.
The tech is in the software, not the devices themselves, the hardware is just a method of bringing it into your home that's easy for people to adopt and will do some good stuff without having to faff about buying x y or z and getting it set up. The problem with the home devices is that you put it in your living room, then you go into the kitchen realise you want the recipe for something and have to go back into the living room to ask. Or whatever scenario you like, fundamentally you need the microphone in more than one room, which currently means lots of expense, or you can just use your phone.
I'm currently using Google Home to turn on a socket that switches on a bank of amplifiers for my ceiling speakers that are all Chromecasted and grouped so you can just tell the phone to turn on the speakers and play whatever wherever, works really well.
I would pay for remote microphones that supply my phone's Google Home App when I'm in the house as the one downside is that you have to get your phone out of your pocket with the mobile-based approach. not sure how that would work with multiple users though.
Whatever way I look at it I can't see that the future is buying lots of expensive boxes to spread all over the house, when it should all be out of sight and using your phone makes so much more sense. Just waiting for those microphones.....
If you have the latest version of Android you don't need to buy either though, you can just use your phone and add a Chromecast to any sound source you want to use.
The tech is in the software, not the devices themselves, the hardware is just a method of bringing it into your home that's easy for people to adopt and will do some good stuff without having to faff about buying x y or z and getting it set up. The problem with the home devices is that you put it in your living room, then you go into the kitchen realise you want the recipe for something and have to go back into the living room to ask. Or whatever scenario you like, fundamentally you need the microphone in more than one room, which currently means lots of expense, or you can just use your phone.
I'm currently using Google Home to turn on a socket that switches on a bank of amplifiers for my ceiling speakers that are all Chromecasted and grouped so you can just tell the phone to turn on the speakers and play whatever wherever, works really well.
I would pay for remote microphones that supply my phone's Google Home App when I'm in the house as the one downside is that you have to get your phone out of your pocket with the mobile-based approach. not sure how that would work with multiple users though.
Whatever way I look at it I can't see that the future is buying lots of expensive boxes to spread all over the house, when it should all be out of sight and using your phone makes so much more sense. Just waiting for those microphones.....
LordGrover said:
No experience of Alexa but have GH. I've had it since launch and since the first couple of weeks it's become nothing more than an expensive voice activated radio/dust collector.
Came very close to buying a Google Home thing, but really just came to the same conclusion that it wouldn't be used.I'm fact I'm not even sure there is a big future for this stuff.
TheGuru said:
Came very close to buying a Google Home thing, but really just came to the same conclusion that it wouldn't be used.
I'm fact I'm not even sure there is a big future for this stuff.
That's exactly it I think, if you have to buy the kit it's too much for limited benefit, but if you have Google Assistant on your phone you already have all the capability. Presumably if you want to be able to use it for music etc then you already have speakers etc, so buying a replacement makes no sense and the ones without speakers are too expensive for every room given the benefit. I'm fact I'm not even sure there is a big future for this stuff.
But if you already have Chromecast you can already do this without spending any money, and just add stuff to it that you want as thing progress and you can see a benefit.
That said, I can see the case for a ceiling speakers with built in microphone and Chromecast that connects to your Google Assistant when you join the WiFi network, that can be wired into a light fitting either as a single unit, or stereo, quad etc. And actually there is a case for any hardware configuration that's convenient to setup if you're starting from nothing, but what would be the most cost-effective for most would just be a Chromecast Audio with a microphone socket and do the rest in software using your phone.
Actually, I'd be annoyed if they did that as all my Chromecast Audios are in one cupboard next to the amplifiers that feed the ceiling speakers!
I have a GH and my dad has a Echo at his house. the GH seems to understand questions better and can carry as a natural conversation. the Echo has more connectivity purely due to being on the market for longer. but I am sure with the might of Google the GH will catch up quickly.
I went for the GH as I use Gmail, Google calendar, Chromecasts and android phones so all of it integrates very well. it has also added multi user support recently (I haven't set this up yet) that should allow it to tailor its responses and access the relevant accounts for me and Mrs Buzz84.
the speaker quality is great on both, I'm not an audiophile so cannot tell between them!
I have a light with a belkin Wemo plug that I can control via it. we are currently extending out house and I plan to add smart switches and more connectivity in time so it will become more useful in time.
I went for the GH as I use Gmail, Google calendar, Chromecasts and android phones so all of it integrates very well. it has also added multi user support recently (I haven't set this up yet) that should allow it to tailor its responses and access the relevant accounts for me and Mrs Buzz84.
the speaker quality is great on both, I'm not an audiophile so cannot tell between them!
I have a light with a belkin Wemo plug that I can control via it. we are currently extending out house and I plan to add smart switches and more connectivity in time so it will become more useful in time.
TheGuru said:
Came very close to buying a Google Home thing, but really just came to the same conclusion that it wouldn't be used.
I had the same conclusion when I ordered mine (Echo Dot, not GH), but figured it was cheap enough to try anyway. Much to my surprise, I do use mine - and when my router died, I did actually miss it for the few days I was offline.
Bumpety bump!
I'm in the same boat, and have already asked Santa for a couple of GH minis, and two or three Chromecast audios to upgrade my existing audio kit (or two chromecasts and a JBL speaker)
I currently use an Android phone for everything, Gmail, and Spotify Premium. I've got a Hue bridge as well and intend adding more and more of the bulbs as time goes.
Priority use for me is multi-room audio from Spotify, maybe some audio from my phone, then the ability to control the Hue (using the existing bridge) and some Smart plugs.
As I say, I had originally asked for GH, but I'm wondering if now I'd be better off with two Echo Dots (linked to existing speaker systems for audio) and an Echo in the kitchen. However, I'd want to be sure it works across multiple rooms like a Sonos.
Also wondered if although GH may have a slightly higher setup cost (need a GH mini and a Chromecast Audio as opposed to just a Dot) it will be generally better and more integrated with my phone?
I also have a flatmate, so I'd like the kit to be able to identify between us easily if necessary.
Any advice please!?
I'm in the same boat, and have already asked Santa for a couple of GH minis, and two or three Chromecast audios to upgrade my existing audio kit (or two chromecasts and a JBL speaker)
I currently use an Android phone for everything, Gmail, and Spotify Premium. I've got a Hue bridge as well and intend adding more and more of the bulbs as time goes.
Priority use for me is multi-room audio from Spotify, maybe some audio from my phone, then the ability to control the Hue (using the existing bridge) and some Smart plugs.
As I say, I had originally asked for GH, but I'm wondering if now I'd be better off with two Echo Dots (linked to existing speaker systems for audio) and an Echo in the kitchen. However, I'd want to be sure it works across multiple rooms like a Sonos.
Also wondered if although GH may have a slightly higher setup cost (need a GH mini and a Chromecast Audio as opposed to just a Dot) it will be generally better and more integrated with my phone?
I also have a flatmate, so I'd like the kit to be able to identify between us easily if necessary.
Any advice please!?
The problem with the Dot connected to the stereo is you won't hear anything if the stereo isn't on.
I ha e a Google home mini and a chromecast audio, the responses come through the speaker but if I ask to play music the default uses the chromecast and stereo. If I want the radio I can opt to use the mini speaker which is fine for the news in the radio.
I ha e a Google home mini and a chromecast audio, the responses come through the speaker but if I ask to play music the default uses the chromecast and stereo. If I want the radio I can opt to use the mini speaker which is fine for the news in the radio.
NorthDave said:
Pretty sure Google Home will overtake Amazon in the future.
That's the thing for me, although right now GH is working out more expensive than Alexa (because GH Mini has no 3.5mm necessitating a Chromecast Audio as well) and seems to have less features, I think that they'll catch up very quickly.Other big worry is that Spotify multi-room is still not available on Alexa, but does appear to be already working on Chromecast. I don't want to invest in a whole home Alexa system and then that functionality never turn up...
paulrockliffe said:
I would pay for remote microphones that supply my phone's Google Home App when I'm in the house as the one downside is that you have to get your phone out of your pocket with the mobile-based approach. not sure how that would work with multiple users though.
You've pretty much just described the home mini. At 34quid each at the moment they're cheap and the multiuser support they added works really well.B17NNS said:
I figured they'd have to drop them again! I suspect Santa's elves have already acquired mine 
Got my home yesterday, came free with my Pixel 2.
Quite like that I can now voice control my Nest Thermostat from it rather than my phone. I also like that it does work with Google Play Music even though I don't have a subscription (it uses my uploaded library). I also like you can set alarms on it rather than using my phone again.
overtime I might add some more linked home appliances to it.
Quite like that I can now voice control my Nest Thermostat from it rather than my phone. I also like that it does work with Google Play Music even though I don't have a subscription (it uses my uploaded library). I also like you can set alarms on it rather than using my phone again.
overtime I might add some more linked home appliances to it.
Edited by AJB88 on Wednesday 13th December 06:35
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