Google Home

Scam said:
That's brilliant. So you can say "ok Google turn on the radio" to load Tunein Radio on your Chromecast and play 6 Music (the only station I ever listen to) through your amp?
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it would seem yes if you explain your favourite radio station to GH and you have linked your Chromecast to GH.
 
I notice that GH is also improving in the area of helping you plan a trip. While this link below is US centric, I note that Google Flights gives GH a significant edge over Amazon and I look forward to using GH in planning future trips soon.

Examples: finding flights and tracking flight prices, giving directions and providing same-day updates on traffic to airports.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/31/travel/google-home-help-with-planning-trips.html?_r=0
 
I expect things in the Google Home voice activated digital assistant market in general to heat up starting next week because of the rumour that Apple will launch its Siri-based version of Google Home at its annual developer conference.
 
sesevans said:
I expect things in the Google Home voice activated digital assistant market in general to heat up starting next week because of the rumour that Apple will launch its Siri-based version of Google Home at its annual developer conference.
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Rumour proved correct. Apple announced a December 2017 launch of the HomePod. Apple's approach seems to focus on music and less on Artificial Intelligence/digital assistant. Does this indicate that Apple believes it is far behind Google Home and Amazon Echo on AI and hence putting its best foot forward with music? Seems more of an attempt to make Sonos obsolete. However unlike Google Home, the HomePod only enables Apple Music and does not enable Spotify and other music services. Seems to be aimed at Apple Music users.

Announced at $ 349 per HomePod, compared to the US prices of $ 179 for Amazon Echo and $ 110 for Google Home. Apple HomePod buyers are being asked to pay more than 3 times the cost of Google Home, in order to keep Apple margins high.

I must say I am more than satisfied with the quality of the music speakers on Google Home!
 
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According to researchers at New York-based 360i, Google Home is far more intelligent that Alexa, after putting the two Home speakers to the test.

Their conclusion: "Google Home is six times more likely to answer your question than Amazon's Alexa."

360i's proprietary software asked both devices 3,000 questions and Google Home won "mainly due to its unmatched search abilities". It seems Alexa fell down especially in that it requires more specific keywords to be of assistance.
 
sesevans said:
GH Shortcuts

Anyone else find Shortcuts helpful? Now I say "OK Google Play my favourite song" and that songs starts immediately. Also when I say, "OK Google, Workout Time" it plays workout music.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-create-shortcuts-for-google-home/
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I don't have Shortcuts in my 'More settings' menu? Is there a beta version I should sign up to perhaps? **EDIT** Oh, I found a Google page that says this is US only :(

I like I can say 'Play Better Call Saul, on Netflix, on Main TV' but it surprises me I can't say 'Play Game of Thrones, on Play Movies, on Main TV' :(
 
AndyCr15 said:
I don't have Shortcuts in my 'More settings' menu? Is there a beta version I should sign up to perhaps? **EDIT** Oh, I found a Google page that says this is US only :(

I like I can say 'Play Better Call Saul, on Netflix, on Main TV' but it surprises me I can't say 'Play Game of Thrones, on Play Movies, on Main TV' :(
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In the UK, I have Shortcuts in More Settings under Services, the last but one on the list. I am not clear whether you found it or not? Hope you did as it is fun to use.
 
Good news.

Multiple Users now supported on Google Home in the UK!

Feature, introduced a couple of months ago in the US, is now available here, according to Android Police blog post tonite.

You should see the multiple-user set up card in your Google Home app and you should be able to set up GH as a shared device, to allow other family members or colleagues to connect to it as well.
 
sesevans said:
In the UK, I have Shortcuts in More Settings under Services, the last but one on the list. I am not clear whether you found it or not? Hope you did as it is fun to use.
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AndyCR15: Were you successful in finding Shortcuts? Did you find any interesting ones?

Since then there has been a firmware update 90387 replacing 88047 and they are now introducing Bluetooth support. This allows the Home to act as another Bluetooth device that can stream music from an Android or iOS device.

Device settings in the Home app will reveal a "Paired Bluetooth devices". Look for the "Enable Pairing Mode" button at the bottom of the page. After the pairing process, Bluetooth streaming to Home will work like any other speaker. Compared to Google Cast, it has the distinct advantage of not requiring an internet connection.

Look out for more features:
Proactive Assistance that provides notifications of useful information, like traffic alerts, and Hands-Free calling are still slated to arrive in the coming months.
 
Resurrected my Home earlier in the week and it's even worse than when I put it back in the box a month or two ago.

Ok Google, set light to 100%.

Ok, your next alarm is set for 1AM.

It's literally the most useless piece of tech I've ever owned and it's a complete embarrassment to hear it constantly tell people how sorry it is to not be able to perform a function when someone else tries to use it :(
 
Is there any difference between the north american version and European version?

The reason why i ask is because amazons alexia is like that the north american one does your lights etc whereas the European version does not.
 
lltfdaniel said:
Is there any difference between the north american version and European version?

The reason why i ask is because amazons alexia is like that the north american one does your lights etc whereas the European version does not.
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There are a few differences between the UK and US versions of Google Home in terms of allowable actions. However the UK often receives the updates soon after they are available in the US. Shortcuts is one example.

An example of actions that you can take in the US GH not yet available here are food ordering.

I recently read that there are more than 350 actions that can be taken on Google Home now but yes some are US only.

The example you gave about lights is one where GH works both in the US and the UK----in co-ordination with Philips Hue. I have Hue lights working nicely from my GH in the UK. I winter I have Nest Thermostat linked to my GH.
 
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