8 things Alexa can do that Google’s Assistant can’t – CNET

It was only a matter of time before Amazon Echo got some competition. Google Home was announced last week and while we haven’t yet tested it, it looks like it’ll be a worthy competitor to Amazon Echo.

But even though Google Home can do a lot that the Echo can’t — like contextual conversations or throwing images and videos to your televisions — it has plenty of catching-up to do with Alexa.

Here are eight things Amazon’s assistant can do that Google’s can’t.

Taylor Martin/CNET

DIY Alexa

Back in March, Amazon released an API for Alexa Voice Service (AVS), the service which powers the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Amazon Tap. This allowed developers and users to put Alexa on custom hardware, like Raspberry Pi. It also allows third-party manufacturers to build their own Alexa speakers (or Alexa-powered computers.)

So, if you don’t like Amazon’s speakers, there are third-party or homebrew options to choose from, like the Matrix Creator, an add-on board for Raspberry Pi that has an 8 MEMS microphone array and an arsenal of other sensors.

For what its worth, Google has reportedly been pushing the idea of Google Home to some of the biggest players in the home audio industry. So it may not be long before you see some third-party options. But for now, nothing is official.

Third-party apps

The Alexa Voice Service API has also enabled developers to harness the power of Alexa within applications, such as Roger, Lexa and Lexi. One developer created an online tool — called Echosim.io — so developers can test their skills without needing to own the hardware. As a plus, now anyone can take Alexa for a test drive in their browser.

Aside from streaming audio, these virtual versions of Alexa work exactly the same as the official devices from Amazon, meaning you can get the full effect of Alexa before ever having to spend a dime on Amazon’s speakers.

Here’s everything the Amazon Echo can do

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Voice shopping

Amazon’s main goal in being in the hardware business is to use various devices — like Kindles and Fire devices — to sell more physical and digital items through Amazon. Alexa devices are no exception to that rule.

You can order millions of items using nothing but your voice. Just say something like, “Alexa, order Old Spice deodorant,” or “Alexa, order an Echo Dot.” It will use the one-click billing information stored in your account, your default shipping address, and is protected by a four-digit passcode set by you.

Track packages

Since you can order items using Alexa, it only makes sense that you can track orders placed through Amazon with Alexa, as well. All you have to say is, “Alexa, where’s my stuff?” She won’t give you a ton of details, like where the package currently is or the status of the shipment, but she will tell you the day it’s estimated to arrive.

Seeing as this is a feature already integrated into Google Now, which seems to be the basis of much of Home’s functionality, it’s likely only a matter of time before Google Home can also track packages placed with practically any online retailer. But there is no mention of package tracking in the long list of features of Google Home.

Skills

Chris Monroe/CNET

One thing that has propelled Alexa forward is the introduction of skills, or independently developed integrations for Alexa devices. Skills are to Alexa as apps are to Android and iOS devices.

These skills allow smart-home devices that do not have native Alexa support to be controlled using the Alexa Voice Service. They also allow users to place orders for Domino’s pizza or an Uber. And thanks to skills, you can make your Capital One credit card payment, check your car’s fuel level, pair wine and beer with a meal, check travel prices on Kayak and much more.

There are over 1,000 skills available right now, with more being added daily.

iHeartRadio and Prime Music

Chris Monroe/CNET

The services officially supported by Google Home at launch will be Google Play Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora and TuneIn.

Obviously, with Amazon’s Alexa speakers, you also get Amazon Music and Prime Music by default. But iHeartRadio is also supported.

That said, Google Home will acts as a Chromecast Audio receiver, meaning any audio service which supports Chromecast streaming will also work with Google Home.

Hit the road

For now, Google Assistant is embodied by a single device, Google Home, which competes more directly with the Amazon Echo than other Alexa devices.

However, the feature set of the Amazon Tap is virtually identical to that of the Echo, meaning you can take Alexa practically anywhere you go, so long as you have an open Wi-Fi connection or a hotspot. You can also use one of the many third-party Alexa apps to tap into Amazon’s assistant while on the go.

Technically, you will be able to do the same using Google Assistant on Android phones. However, Google Assistant is only officially supported at the moment on the Google Pixel and Pixel XL; you can get a taste of what it has to offer in Google’s new chat app, Allo. All other devices will continue to use Google Now until Google decides to share the Assistant love across the entire Android platform.

Voice remote

Sarah Tew

If you just want to be able to control your Echo from out of typical voice range, all you need is an Alexa Voice Remote for $29.99.

To accomplish the same thing with Google Home, you will need to add a second Google Home for $129 a pop (currently only available in the US, that directly converts to about £106, AU$171).