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Google Nest (smart speakers)

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Google Home
The Google Home on a surface, idle and not in use
DeveloperGoogle
ManufacturerGoogle
TypeSmart speaker
Release dateUS: November 4th, 2016. World: Not yet announced.
Operating system Chromecast System Software (Based on Android and ChromeOS)
CPUARM
Inputvoice command
ConnectivityWi-Fi
Websitehome.google.com

Google Home is a smart speaker developed by Google as part of its "Made By Google" product line. The product stands as a rival to Amazon Echo in the smart speaker industry. It was released on November 4, 2016 for US$129.

History

In March 2016, reports were published about Google developing a wireless speaker to compete against the Amazon Echo.[1]

Google Home was announced at Google I/O in May 2016,[2] where it was also announced that Home would run Google Assistant (a conversational evolution of Google Now intended to be integrated in other products announced at I/O).[3] On June 2016, it was confirmed that Home would use an optimized version of the Chromecast's software, while the hardware would support home automation software, allowing the user to control compatible products.[4][5]

The product was released in the United States on November 4, 2016.

Features

Google has its services integrated into the operating system, and supporting commands and features similar to the Amazon Echo, such as streaming through Google Play Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, TuneIn, Pandora, and iHeartRadio.[6] The intelligent personal assistant, Google Assistant, is included as the main and only primary assistant in the software and operating system of Google Home. Unlike its cousin, Google Now, Assistant is able to engage in two-way conversations.[7] Google Home's product-management director Gummi Hafsteinsson pointed out that Google is employing writers such as those involved with Pixar movies and editors who have contributed jokes on The Onion to build a personality into the assistant.[8] Google envisions a long-term feature of the assistant as being the ability to invoke a sense of emotional rapport in its users.[8]

Home Automation

Google Home has home automation as a feature, being able to control devices as a central hub. Google has partnered with Nest, SmartThings, Philips Hue, and IFTTT for smart home device control with the Google Home device.

Borrowing from Chromecast's technology, Google Home is able to connect to multiple Home speakers wirelessly, reaching multiple rooms.[9] Google Home can control a Chromecast, or any Google Cast-enabled device to streaming video or audio.

Available services

Google states that they will continue to partner with other companies to interface ("voice casting") the Google Home device with more services.[10]

Design

Google Home is 5.62 inches (143 millimetres) high, and 3.79 inches (96 millimetres) in diameter. It weighs 16.8 ounces (480 grams). The design represents a modular cylindrical shape, and will have 4 LEDs on the top that are in the same colors as Google's logo that indicate power.[11] The top surface is a capacitive touch panel, which can be used to pause music, adjust volume, trigger the Google Assistant, etc.

Hardware

Reports have surfaced that Google Home - due to its relation to Chromecast - has the same ARM processor and Wi-Fi chip as the Chromecast 2nd generation, though no specific hardware listing has been released.[4][12] It includes dual microphones, and for privacy concerns, has a mute button for the microphone to silence all communications to it.[13]

Modular base

The cover over the base is modular, and is available in various colors with the purpose of blending it around home decor. The current colors available are mango, marine, and violet (fabric-covered), carbon, snow, and copper (metal).

References

  1. ^ Dye, John (24 March 2016). "Google is brewing a competitor to the Amazon Echo". Android Authority. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  2. ^ Grunin, Lori (18 May 2016). "Android N, Daydream VR, Google Home and more: Everything announced at Google I/O 2016". CNET. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  3. ^ Mossberg, Walt (19 May 2016). "Mossberg: Google doubles down on AI". The Verge. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  4. ^ a b Dye, John (1 June 2016). "The beating heart of Google Home reportedly Chromecast hardware". Android Authority. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  5. ^ Miller, Greg (1 June 2016). "Google Wants to Control Your Home". Wall Street Daily. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  6. ^ Drier, Troy (1 June 2016). "Google Home is certain to be a hot product - Logged On - NJ.com". Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  7. ^ Y., Milen (1 June 2016). "Google Assistant will have a more developed personality and possibly a childhood backstory". Phone Area. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  8. ^ a b Mims, Christopher (2016-10-09). "Your Next Friend Could Be a Robot". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  9. ^ "Amazon Echo? Meet Google Home". Small Business Trends. 2016-05-27. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  10. ^ Roettgers, Janko (4 October 2016). "Google Officially Introduces Google Home, a $129, Smart, Wi-Fi-Powered Speaker - Variety". Variety (magazine). Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  11. ^ Bohn, Dieter (2016-05-18). "Google Home: a speaker to finally take on the Amazon Echo". The Verge. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  12. ^ Fingas, Jon (31 May 2016). "Google Home reportedly has Chromecast roots". Engadget. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  13. ^ D'Onfro, Jillian (1 June 2016). "Google Home privacy - Business Insider". Business Insider. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
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