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This processing technology could be a gamechanger for what’s possible with smaller smart speakers. Even though they share similar sounding names, there’s a decent amount of features that separate the Apple HomePod Mini and the Google Nest Mini smart speakers. In the way these devices interact with connected hardware and software, there’s a lot to unpack but we’re here to help.
Some people care deeply about sound fidelity, and they can buy a Google Home. Or, more realistically, something other than a smart speaker, since even the best ones sound like junk. Others don't care so much about music, and just want something small in the bedroom or kitchen to spew questions and shopping list items at. The Home Mini is the device you buy a bunch of and pepper all over your house, just to make sure you're never fully out of earshot.
Design
Tristan Perry is a software developer who is passionate about tech gadgets, DIY and housing. Tristan also has an academic background (in Math & Computer Science), and so he enjoys digging into the technical ways that smart home devices work. Whilst Duo calls need to be accepted and hence they’re not quite as good as ‘drop in’ (babies can’t say “Hey Google, answer the call” after all!), some people actually prefer this on privacy grounds.
If you’re looking for a device you can easily camouflage, Google Nest Mini is your best bet. If you’re looking for something more bold, an Echo Dot might be the better option. For security, Echos offer the free Alexa Guard service, which can listen for alarms or sounds like breaking glass and send you alerts. If you're looking for a small Echo speaker, your best best then is the Echo Spot, which despite its size, offers a richer sound. The screen, however, massively increases its expense, so bear that in mind – if you don't want a screen, the Echo Dot with Clock is an attractive option. Most recently, Google released the Nest Hub Max, putting Google Assistant in a 10-inch smart display.
What are the alternatives to Alexa and Google Home?
The Echo Dot's been a massive success for just that reason, and the Home Mini should appeal as well. Additionally, you can ask Alexa to control your connected smart devices, ask for the weather for the weekend, set timers, play games, set reminders, set a dinner bell, and so much more. The newest Echo speaker also doubles as a Zigbee hub that may be helpful for connecting with certain smart devices. When it comes to aesthetics, the two smart speakers differ in size, but are both covered with fabric and use LED lights to visually communicate. Set next to one another, it’s apparent that the new spherical shape of the Echo Dot makes it look larger than the Nest Mini — nearly double its height. Despite this, it’s a refreshing design change that we appreciate.
One of the biggest differences between the two is that Google Assistant does not have searchable “Skills” like Alexa and offers a different selection of “Actions” that you can see here. There’s no guarantee the same skills will be available on both voice assistants, but Google Assistant is currently a bit limited compared to what Alexa offers. The other difference is with smart home compatibility, so let’s take a closer look. As for the Google Home and Nest models, its virtual assistant is, well, the Google Assistant. Its capabilities are very similar to Alexa, from voice-searching the internet with a “Hey Google” to playing games or scheduling events.
Google Home: each model compared
Overall, it's a design that's capable of blending in with your home's decor while still looking good if you happen to fix your gaze on it. I share the concern of some of my colleagues who worried about getting that fabric cover dirty, though. My anxiety would only rise if I wanted to use it in the kitchen.
However, it’s a good idea to fine tune the content settings for your kids by enabling parental controls on your smart speaker. From setting reminders to paying for your favorite music, a Google Nest Mini smart speaker can help you manage your days with ease. With Google Assistant at the ready, there’s plenty more you can do with either version of Google’s smallest smart speaker. Based on Apple’s typical pricing strategy, it’s not too surprising that the HomePod Mini is more expensive than the competition, but its RRP makes it one of the most expensive small smart speakers to date. The smart display gives you a deeper degree of interaction with the Assistant, since it can surface visual information or photos to answer your requests.
During her eight years in the hi-fi industry, she has been fortunate enough to travel the world to report on the biggest and most exciting brands in hi-fi and consumer tech . In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake. The Nest Hub Max has a built-in Nest Camera, equivalent to a Nest Indoor Cam IQ since the Hub Max offers familiar face recognition and more . The sound that a ringing Google Home device will make.To answer, just say “Hey Google, answer the call“. The choice really then comes down to the preference of ecosystem as opposed to the hardware. Then Google Home is probably for you, as the two areas are only going to become ever-more-closely linked.
But Google was certainly no slouch, and the fact remains that both are still strong choices, depending on which capabilities you prioritize. While both do pretty well in the case of general knowledge and extendability, for example, if you want the broadest possible support for music and podcast services, Alexa is probably the one to pick. If, on the other hand, you have a household with multiple people in it, each of whom want to get their own personal information via a smart speaker, Google Assistant might be a better choice. If you can only afford the entry-level devices, and music remains a top priority for you, go for the Google Home Mini, which sounds a lot better than the Echo Dot. Unless you hook up a Dot to another speaker over Bluetooth or the 3.5mm jack, it’s just too thin and harsh to fully enjoy. However, given its size, you'd expect it to have fewer microphones and drivers.
From voice calling to TV controls, new features are constantly coming to each platform. Google Assistant, meanwhile, uses the Google Shopping platform, so it has a wider reach. However, finding specific products or getting the results you want may be more challenging, especially without an accompanying smart display. You can also reorder an item, but Google can’t give the same recommendations as Alexa can.
Visit the Google Nest Safety Center at safety.google/nest to learn more about how we protect your information and respect your privacy. It can show videos, the weather, recipes, music artwork and so much more, but it doesn’t have a camera – so video calling is out of the question. The original Google Home is shaped like a cylinder, and it looks a little bit like a dehumidifier. One interesting Google Assistant feature is Google Duplex, which can make calls on your behalf. This makes tasks like making a dinner reservation or buying movie tickets easier than ever.
It makes Alexa a bit hard to talk to unless you get used to phrasing requests how Alexa wants to receive them. Google Assistant doesn’t have nearly as many third-party plug-ins, but it’s much easier to talk to. It can understand different requests more easily than Alexa, and that’s very appealing.
Searching the internet feels a bit more accurate with Google Assistant, but unless you are constantly asking questions, you may not notice a lot of difference. Like Alexa, you can also choose different voices and profiles for Google Assistant. It costs $229 (£219, $349), similar to the original price of the 10-inchLenovo Smart Display. These smart displays are ideal for making Google Duo video calls to friends and family members. Having said that, Alexa tends to be better when it comes to support for a wider range of devices, as well as better smart home integration. So if you have a lot of smart home devices already, Alexa might be your best bet.
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