Gadgetory

this is Google home it's finally here it's Google's answer to the Amazon echo it has the conversational Google assistant built-in it's not that expensive at 130 bucks versus 180 for the echo it's a personal assistant that can sync with your Google Calendar and other Google services for personalized updates it's an entertainment hub with a built-in speaker and the ability to cast to chromecast devices it's a smart home controller that works with nest smart things Philips you and if the hype is real this is it and all you have to do is say ok Google or hey Google and unleash the power of Google home but now it's time to put the hyper side we've tested it so does it live up to the hype does it beat the Amazon echo let's go one category at a time since we're here in the CNET smart home let's start with smart home controls ok google turn on the living room light sure turning the living room table lamp on it works well with smart home control Google also responds more flexibly to language with Alexa you have to get the words exactly right Google works really well as an entertainment hub hey Google Play home sweet home by motley crew on the upstairs speakers you can send music to any google cast enabled speaker or a speaker with a chromecast music streamer plugged in you can also group speakers and play synched music throughout your house you can even control your TV if you have a chromecast device but only YouTube for now hey Google Play CNET videos on the living room TV sure playing CNET videos from youtube on living room Google's also good as a personal assistant hey Google add air freshener to my shopping list I'm almost out other than disguising itself as an air freshener Google home can check your calendar for you wake you up in the morning and give you a personalized daily briefing and it responds to some context in your questions quiz time you ready hey Google who plays Katniss Everdeen Katniss Everdeen was played by Jennifer Lawrence hey Google what other movies is she in her movies include silver linings playbook joy and 25 others but the context has to stay really simple hey Google who plays Batman Batman was played by Ben Affleck Christian Bale and others okay Google who else sorry I don't know how to help with that yet right now Google can call you a cab but can't add things to your to-do list or set a reminder it's a qualified assistant but still has some learning to do overall if you need a smart home speaker right now I'll access better but before you sacrifice me at the altar of Google fanboys I'm not actually calling Google home that I really like it if you're invested in Google at all it's well worth of purchase and if you're neutral it might be better than the echo someday it's just not yet you