Google Home and Wifi coming to Australia
Always-listening home virtual assistants can be absolute privacy nightmares, but they are oh so convenient too. Whether you select Amazon Echo or Google Home, you have to decide if you trust the company behind the assistant that is monitoring your home. Look, having a microphone or camera in your living room or bedroom can be scary, but if you are OK with it, you are rewarded with some great functionality, such as controlling IoT devices and getting instant answers to all of your questions. I am privacy-conscious, but I love Alexa too -- such a quandary!
If you live in Australia, and wanted Google Home, you have been out of luck. This is changing, however, as the standalone assistant hardware is coming to that country. If you want to ask questions about, say, The Perth Mint or the great actor Yahoo Serious, you will be able to buy the search-giant's hardware to do so. In addition, the Google Wifi router system is coming to the land down under too.
"There's never a dull moment at home -- from getting the family ready in the morning to unwinding after a long day, and everything in between. Wouldn't it be great to get some extra help? Starting July 20, Aussies can enjoy Google Home, our voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. With a simple 'OK Google', you can get answers, turn up the music, manage your everyday tasks or even turn on or adjust your compatible smart lights. And we're also launching Google Wifi, giving you seamless internet coverage for homes of any shape or size," says Raunaq Shah, Product Manager, Google Home.
Shah further says, "With a distinctly Aussie voice, your Assistant on Google Home speaks and understands your language. Ask it for brekkie ideas or where the nearest servo is. You can also ask it what sound a Kookaburra makes, and it’ll cue the laughter we all know and love. And of course, we've hidden a few Aussie treats for you to discover along the way."
Starting July 20, you can buy both Google Home and Wifi from the search-giant directly, but the company lists several Australian retailers as well, such as Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, and Telstra to name a few. Both Home and Wifi will cost $199 AUS. A three-pack of the search-giant's mesh networking devices can be had for $499 AUS, saving you a hundred Australian dollars.
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