Articles about Google Home

While we've heard about the HomeHub feature of Windows 10 before, we've not seen what it might look like in practice. Now, thanks to a series of leaked images, that all changes, and it shows that Microsoft is ready to take on Google Home and Amazon Echo with its own devices.

Like the Amazon Echo Show, the leaked images depict a device with a screen. It's running Windows 10, supports voice-activated Cortana commands, and it's something that Microsoft clearly wants to be at the center of future smart homes.

Continue reading →

When I first set up a Logitech Harmony hub in my home, it was life-changing. No longer did I need to have multiple remote controls littering my living room table. The one Harmony remote (or mobile app) controls my television, cable box, sound bar, and Xbox One. Once I linked it with my Amazon Echo, things got even better -- I could control my entertainment devices by voice. If I am dozing off on the couch while watching TV, for instance, and the remote is out of reach, I can simply say "Alexa, tell Harmony to turn off the TV." Like magic, the television shuts off.

Amazon Echo is not the only voice assistant device available -- Google offers its own called "Home." It is very similar to Amazon's offering, but it is not compatible with all of the same devices and services. For instance, Home did not work with Harmony. Today, this changes, as both Logitech and Google's hardware can now work together. It is not compatible with all Harmony devices, however -- only Hub-based models, such as Elite and Companion.

Continue reading →

After launching in the US late last year, Google Home is making its way to the UK. Google's voice-activated rival to the Amazon Echo is powered by Google Assistant, and can be used to play music, control smart devices, and perform online searches.

Also making its way to the UK is Google Wifi, the company's mesh Wi-Fi service that helps to ensure there are no wireless blackspots in the home. As well as giving uninterrupted internet access throughout the house, Google Wifi also features parental control options that can be used to stop kids from overindulging on their phones and tablets.

Continue reading →

Google stands accused of spreading fake news through the "featured snippets" feature of its search engine. The problem is made worse by the company's Google Home speaker which parrots these snippets and presents them as fact.

Perform a search on Google, and in many cases you will find that there is a box at the top of the screen that directly answers the question you asked. This is a featured snippet. The problem is that these undergo little -- if any -- vetting, and Google merely presents the top result... even if that happens to be a nonsensical article from Breitbart.

Continue reading →

Voice assistants are all the rage nowadays, with hardware like Amazon Echo becoming very popular in homes. While some people are fearful of such devices because they are always listening for commands, some consumers are willing to trade their privacy for convenience. In other words, since consumers aren't required to buy such a device, they are empowered to make that decision with their wallets.

One alternative to Amazon's solution is Google Home. The search-giant's device is essentially the same concept as Echo -- an always-listening assistant ready to serve you. Today, Google announces that its assistant-focused device is gaining a really great new feature -- shopping. Consumers can leverage their voices to buy goods -- no need to go to their laptop or smartphone.

Continue reading →