By Raunak Haldipur
Google and Amazons versatile smart speakers have built-in virtual assistants. The speakers demonstrate the early adoption of Artificial Intelligence and the possibility of enabling home automation. They are inexpensive, so more people are likely to buy them. Following the introduction of Amazon Echo by Amazon, Google introduced Google Home and then, Apple announced Home Pod. Last week, there was news about Facebook working on its own smart speaker with touch screen features. Without Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Echo, Google Home , and Home Pod would not have existed.
Amazon Echo echoes convenience
Amazon Echo has pioneered the smart speaker market with its first launch in 2014. Echo has a built-in AI Assistant, Alexa. It supports smart home devices such as Nest and Honeywell thermostats, Philips smart light bulbs and Samsung home appliances. Amazon Echo can connect to Google calendar and sync all of Amazons services, including music. It is available for $179 or 11,500 rupees, which is a pretty decent price. Additionally, Amazon Echo also introduced the speaker with touch screen and camera.
The brand has named the upgraded product, Amazon Echo Show. It currently retails for $230 or 15,000 rupees. To those under a budget, Amazon has also launched a cheaper version called Echo Dot. It shares many of the admirable traits of the Echo and has limited playback music. Echo Dot retails for $50 or 3,200 rupees. More than its audio performance, Amazon Echo is popular because it can be hooked up to any speaker. The speaker has not only excellent sound quality but also a pretty smart AI assistant, to make lives smarter.
Google Home strikes back with tricks
Google Home may be more intelligent than Amazon Echo, due to its tight integration with other Google services. Google Home is run by Google Assistant, which is the same AI assistant found in many Android phones. It performs many tasks and provides better search results, as it is with Google’s search engine. Although Google Home connects to a few fewer devices than the Amazon Echo, it supports the same services.
Google Home is climbing up the charts in the smart speaker market. Home can be purchased for just $129 or 8,300 rupees, which is 30% cheaper than Echo. In less than a years time, Google Home has learned a few new tricks. One of them is its ability to recognize different users and call anyone worldwide. A software update will soon allow Home to be connected to Bluetooth devices.
Apple and its musical prowess
Although Apple Home Pod isnt released yet, the demonstration of its design was released to the public. It is expected to retail at $349 or 22,500 rupees. This product will be the most expensive smart speaker in the market. Home Pod looks similar to Mac Pro Server. It is run by Siri, which is Apple’s AI Assistant. The Home Pod announcement also talked about its potentially powerful audio speakers. However, only the launch of the speakers can fully inform the public with a detailed analysis.
A smart speaker is no longer a work of miracle. It has indeed become revolutionary. In the months to come, we will be witnessing more interesting aspects and features of smart speakers. Innovation and creativity will flourish as worlds largest technology companies are racing to the top of the list. Consumers are the ultimate judge to decide the real winner among these smart speakers.
Featured Image Source: Visual Hunt