Google Home review – the future of the home?
Bottom Line
Google Home shows a lot of promise and while this first generation somewhat fails to deliver right now, it’ll only get better with future updates and third-party support. If you regularly use voice assistant services, Google Home is a no-brainer, but if you’re not, it’ll be nothing more than just another audio speaker to you.
Voice assistant services have infiltrated nearly every aspect of technology, but it has profoundly been more prevalent in smartphones. Its usefulness continues to grow thanks in part to iterative improvements that have made them “smarter” over time, however, it’s still going to be a while before it gets to the same level as Star Trek’s voice assisted system. Regardless of that, we’ve already begun to see voice assistant services moving into the home space – like Alexa, Amazon’s voice service powering its Echo speaker.
For a long time now, Google has been refining its own voice assistant service in its mobile devices, but just like Amazon, they see a promising future in the home. And that’s where Google Home comes to light, which just like the Amazon Echo, is aiming to go beyond being just a smart voice assistant services by commanding your audio, delivering relevant answers to queries, learn more about you, and integrate seamlessly with other smart connected devices in the home.
It’s the first step, but is it a good one?
Design
Unlike the Amazon Echo, Google Home opts for a more inviting design that allows it to blend into wherever it’s placed – without being too obstructive in the process, or clashing with other décor lying around. It’s a stark contrast to the hard-lines of the very distinctive speaker design of the Amazon Echo. That’s a good thing, especially more so if you prefer a more homely styling, as opposed to how our electronic gadgets can sometimes be pervasive and overrun our spaces.
It’s diminutive in size and features a peculiar looking shape, one that can be mistaken for one of those Glade air fresheners you might find throughout a home. Adding to its warm and inviting design, the bottom compartment of the Google Home that’s shielding its array of speakers feature a mesh-like fabric, which does a better job we feel in complementing your furniture. And if you want some customization, the base can be swapped out for other colors to match the ambiance of where it’s going to be placed.
The apparent emphasis of favoring a discrete design continues in how the Google Home has a clean look to it, such in the way you won’t find a ton of buttons on it. In fact, there’s only a single one used to mute the microphones. Looking at the top surface, it appears completely flush and free of any buttons, with the exception of two small holes used for its far-field microphones, but it’s been ingeniously designed with touch controls. When we place a finger on it, the embedded LEDs light up to indicate the volume level – or alternatively, it’ll light up in those familiar Google Assistant colors when you speak the activation phrase (okay Google).
All of this helps Google Home to come off as being innocuous with its design, favoring simplicity and discreteness above all. Those characteristics alone, propel it to integrate nicely with other furniture and décor. The only thing you’ll need to decide is where to place it, just because it requires a constant power source via its power chord. At first, we felt as though it was restrictive, but given its always-on premise, it makes perfect sense going with this implementation.
Software and Performance
You’re going to need to download the new Google Home app to initially connect it to your home network, and subsequently, it’s also the hub that allows us to link various services to it. The setup process is a breeze, so once it’s connected to your Wi-Fi network, all that’s left to do is tell Google Home what to do by speaking the activation phrase; “okay Google.” Unfortunately, this can’t be customized at all, so if you have other Google Assistant activated devices around, they’ll also be initiated by this verbal command. We will also say that Google Home can’t distinguish one voice over another, so if you happen to be watching a video when someone says “okay Google,” Google Home will initiate and listen for a command.
Being a Google product and all, there’s no surprise at all that it integrates seamlessly with most of Google’s services. That means playing songs via Google Play Music, watching a YouTube video on your TV through Chromecast, and leveraging all the power of Google Assistant. Anyone that has used the Google Pixel will know Google Assistant’s effectiveness in delivering relevant actions and answers, so there’s nothing out of the ordinary here with Google Home. You ask questions, it’ll try and produce answers. Trivia, of course, seems to be the kind of thing Google Home was bred to handle, since it’s tied intimately to Google’s Knowledge Graph – a service that enhances searches using information procured through various sources.
For example, Wikipedia is heavily source when asking things like “who signed the declaration of independence?” Right now, its functionality is limited, seeing that it can’t yet do simple voice assistant functions such as asking it to read our last text message, or read the last email sent to us. Despite that, it’s always learning and evolving, such in the case when we ask it obscure questions, such as “what’s my favorite camera?” Google Home follows it up by asking what’s your favorite camera, which we then proceed to say, and then it ends by saying it’ll remember that.
Impressively enough, Google Home’s far-field microphones do an excellent job of recognizing our voice – even while it’s playing a song. It’s accurate in deciphering “okay Google” even while it’s playing tunes on high volume, and it then proceeds to lower the volume to listen to our voice command.
While all of this is fine and dandy, it’s just the tip of the iceberg, so even though its support for services is still rather light, you know that it’ll be only time before it reaches the same level as the Amazon Echo. Music services supported out of the gate include Google Play Music, YouTube, Spotify, and Pandora, but Amazon Prime Music is noticeably absent – no shocker there!
Another intriguing prospect about Google Home is how it’s able to integrate with connected devices in the home. So far, that support extends to only a few products consisting of Google Chromecast, Nest, Philips Hue, and SmartThings. That’s not a whole lot, which is a shame because right now, for us to be exact, Google Home is mainly a stationary speaker first and foremost with a very light voice assistant service. We have several other connected devices in the home, such as the Ring Doorbell, other network connected speakers, and a couple of Piper’s all-in-one security camera system.
Google Home can’t integrate with them yet, but Google promises to get more devices supported over time – so to that degree, there’s hope on the horizon for its support grow. Faster would be better, naturally.
Audio Quality
Don’t underestimate its diminutive size for a moment! Yes, its quaint design might lead you to believe otherwise about its punch, but we’re astounded by how much bite that comes along with that punch. Right from the get-go, there’s no hiding its preference for the audio in the low ranges – producing a thumping level of bass in the process. That noticeable hum is evident even at the lowest volume setting, so if you’re the kind of person that loves the beats, you won’t be disappointed by Google Home’s punchy quality.
Conversely, though, its quality is tested when it’s placed to its highest volume level. Even though the roar of the bass continues to be distinguishable, its speaker array seems to be inept in retaining a moderate, clean tone at the loudest setting. You get a sense that it’s straining, which makes for an unpleasant listenting experience, so we wouldn’t recommend adjusting it any higher that ¾ of its volume level.
The beauty of Google Home, though, is that multiple units can be arranged throughout a space to deliver a unison audio experience. Meaning, all Google Home speakers connected in the space will play the same song simultaneously, which is one way to delivering a better audio experience throughout a space – as opposed to cranking a single one to the max, which would be a lot more unpleasant.
Should you buy the Google Home?
There’s a promising future for Google Home, even with its price tag of $129.99. Indeed, that might be a hefty sum for a speaker by itself, but the lure of it being the ambassador for the home with its voice assistant service is enough to recommend it – just as long as it continues to add support for various services and home-connected products in a timely manner. In its current form, however, some will certainly say that it pales in comparison to what Alexa is able to provide with the Amazon Echo.
Buy at Google Store $129
From its warm and inviting design, to its astounding immersive audio quality, Google Home is a pleasant complement to the home. While it’s not entirely integrated with Google’s ecosystem yet, you know that it won’t be long before it can do additional functions – such as read your last text message, scour old emails for reference, and even behave more like a human with some of its responses. Obviously, if you’re the kind of person that religiously uses voice assistant services, Google Home is a no-brainer complement to how we live and interact with our devices in the home. However, if you’re not, then it’ll be nothing more than just another audio speaker to you.
Verizon Moto Z and Z Force reportedly receiving Nougat update
Good news for people who love sweet updates.
Verizon subscribers will be the world’s first Moto Z users to experience Android 7.0 Nougat, according to several Reddit users reportedly receiving the long-awaited update.
The two phones shipped with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow back in July with Moto’s light touch applied to its stock Android veneer. The Nougat update brings the standard fare of features to the Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Force Droid. According to a photo uploaded to Imgur, the update offers split-screen mode and app quick switching, though it’s unclear whether Moto itself plans to offer some additional flair.
Another Redditor who received the update confirms that it enables Daydream support, which would make the Moto Z and Z Force the first devices outside of Google’s own Pixels to support the company’s new VR platform. A screenshot posted on that same thread confirms that the update has the November 1, 2016 security update installed.
We’ll have to see whether this is a wide rollout or just a soak test, but regardless of its status, Moto Z Droid users can likely look forward to a Nougat update sooner than later. No word on whether the Moto Z Play is due for the same treatment.
Moto Z, Moto Z Force and Moto Z Play
- Our Moto Z review!
- Moto Z Play preview
- The Hasselblad True Zoom is a Mod to remember
- Moto Z specs
- Moto Mods custom backs
- The latest Moto Z news
- Discuss in our Moto Z forums
Motorola
Verizon
SolarCity roofing might cost the same as traditional shingles
Elon Musk might make grand statements, but he has a track record of backing them up with results. Like creating reusable spacecraft, for example. But Musk’s latest sentiments about his SolarCity energy company might break that streak. “I don’t want to commit 100 percent to this yet, but it’s looking quite promising that a solar roof will actually cost less than a normal roof before you even take the value of the electricity into account,” he said, on a recent investor’s call. “So, the basic proposition would be, ‘Would you like a roof that looks better than a normal roof, lasts twice as long, costs less, and by the way generates electricity?’ It’s like, why would you get anything else?”
Here’s the thing, though: Roofing prices can vary wildly depending on size of the house, roof pitch, complexity of the job and any possible structural repairs. Your location factors into cost as well. A nicer slate or tile roof can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000, for example. So, maybe Musk isn’t too far off, but don’t expect to get solar-panel shingles on your house for the price of typical asphalt ones you can grab at Home Depot.
Via: Business Insider (UK)
Source: Seeking Alpha
Microsoft executive bonuses could soon be tied to diversity goals
When we graded Microsoft on its employee diversity last year, its report card wasn’t exactly stellar. Despite filling out its leadership team with more women and ethnic minorities than ever in its history, the diversity of the company’s general ranks fell year over year. Microsoft’s final grade was a solid C. Not awful, but plenty of room for improvement. Satya Nadella seems to agree: the company’s CEO plans to make diversity a core business value moving forward — to the point that executive bonuses may hinge on the company meeting its diversity goals.
According to Gwen Houston, Microsoft’s General Manager for Global Diversity and Inclusion, Nadella is working on a plan that will make meeting diversity goals a major factor in deciding if executives receive their full bonus each year. “Diversity and inclusion is something you’ve got to ingrain,” Houston said. “That’s what Satya has been doing.” Still, Houston says the company has more to do. Layoffs from sale of Nokia assets severely hurt the company’s percentage of women and minority workers, and new hires haven’t made up the difference yet.
Still, the company is making efforts — it’s expanding its internship programs and running focus groups in US cities hoping to encourage minority groups to pursue careers in technology. In a update on the company blog, Houston says she believes the company is on the right path, but says it will take “committed, intentional, focused efforts in the future to stay on that path.”
Source: Microsoft, Bloomberg
LG’s Black Friday deals include a $288 G5, steep discounts on 4K TVs
Some lackluster deals are highlighted by a couple big savings in LG’s Black Friday list.
LG has a set of Black Friday deals going live on its own store, with the main highlights being a super-cheap sale on the G5 from Sprint and all major U.S. carriers offering extra incentives on the new V20. There’s also a deal for an unlocked G4 with a leather back for $329, including a 32GB SD card and an extra leather replacement back.
As for the LG G5 and V20, the deals differ by carrier, but for the most part are roughly the same. Here’s how it breaks down:
AT&T:
- Free B&O Play earbuds with LG V20 purchase
- $200 off LG V20 when trading in your phone
- Buy an LG G5 or V20, get an LG G Pad X 10.1 for 99 cents
- DirecTV customers who buy an LG G5 or V20 with a new line get up to $695 in rebates
Sprint:
- Free B&O Play earbuds with LG V20 purchase
- $200 off LG V20 when trading in your phone
- $288 for an LG G5 with new line activation
T-Mobile:
- Free B&O Play earbuds with LG V20 purchase
Verizon:
- Free B&O Play earbuds with LG V20 purchase
- $300 off LG V20 when trading in your phone
- Buy an LG V20, get an LG Stylo 2 V for $1/month
Overall a lackluster offering, mostly comprised of extensions of LG V20 launch discounts. But the good sale on the G5 from Sprint and the unlocked G4 may be worth a look for some people.
LG also has non-mobile deals for Black Friday, including home entertainment gear and of course everyone’s favorite appliances. You can pick up a top-of-the-line 65-inch B6 4K OLED TV for $2999 ($3000 off), or something more reasonable like a 55-inch 4K TV for $999 ($800 off).
LG V20
- LG V20 review: Built for power users
- LG V20 specs
- All LG V20 news
- LG V20 vs. Galaxy Note 7
- Discuss the V20 in the forums!
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
B&H
Is Apple about to move iPhone manufacturing to the US?
One of Apple’s manufacturing partners is reportedly considering moving production of the iPhone to the US.
According to Japanese newspaper Nikkei Asian Review, Apple asked both Taiwan-based Foxconn and Pegatron, two companies that assemble the iPhone in China, in June to consider making iPhones in the US. Foxconn reportedly complied, but Pegatron declined due to cost concerns. Keep in mind Republican president-elect Donald Trump has long called for Apple and other US companies to start building their products in America.
- Even more iPhone 8 evidence hints it’ll be ‘all glass’ with OLED screen
- Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus: What’s the story so far?
“We’re going to get Apple to build their damn computers and things in this country instead of in other countries,” Trump said in a speech in January. He also said that he would impose a 45-per cent import tariff on Chinese products. Manufacturing the iPhone in the US would theoretically bring production jobs back to the country once known for its powerful industrial sector. However, if Apple continues to manufacture abroad, it can maintain a strong margin on its product. Moving iPhone production would be an enormously pricey endeavor.
Nikkei’s sources claimed that it would increase production costs by nearly 50 per cent. Most of Apple’s part suppliers are located in Asia. In 2013, it made an effort to bring some Mac Pro hardware production to the US. It invested over $100 million dollars in production, but relocating iPhone manufacturing is an entirely different beast. There would likely be a large impact on Apple’s finances.
It’s important to remember that Apple’s discussions began in June, five months before Trump won the general election. Also, it’s unclear when or even if Apple will definitely follow through with its discussions.
Google is bringing Android apps to four more Chromebook models
Google has released a developer update to Chrome OS that’ll add Android app support to four Chromebook models.
At its Google I/O conference in June 2016, Google finally confirmed plans to bring Android apps to Chrome OS laptops and other products. That means soon you’ll be able to fling Angry Birds from a catapult on your Chromebook and download a shedload of other apps you’d normally find on your smartphone or tablet. However, at launch, the only Chromebook model with Android app support was the Asus Chromebook Flip.
The company promised support would be added to dozens of other Chrome OS-powered laptops. You can find the entire list of supported machines here. It contains Chromebooks from the most popular manufacturers, including Acer, Asus, Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, Toshiba, and HP, among many others. Now, thanks to the new developer update, the Dell Chromebook 13, HP 13, Samsung Chromebook 3, and ASUS C301SA have support.
- Chromebooks will soon run Android apps: Will yours get Google Play access?
- Android Apps on Chrome: How to give your Chromebook an app-vantage
Of course, if you’d like to get access to the Play Store on one of these laptops immediately, you’d have to run the most recent developer version of Chrome OS. Simply open the settings menu, then click About Chrome OS > More info > Change channel, and select the developer channel.
The Chromebook will automatically download the update and prompt a reboot to finish the installation. And that’s it.
Apple iPhone 6 Plus ‘touch disease’ flaw: Here’s how to get it fixed
Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus smartphones are suffering from a hardware malfunction, but there is a new solution available.
The company has launched a repair programme for the widely reported problem known as “touch disease”. The malfunction renders the touchscreen useless and is visible as a thin grey line at the top the display. Apple claimed this flaw is caused by dropping the phone repeatedly. Here’s everything you need to know about “touch disease” and how Apple’s new repair programme works.
iPhone 6 Plus: What is ‘touch disease’?
In August 2016, repair guide website iFixit published a blog post detailing what it and other repair companies described as growing number of complaints about a touchscreen issue among iPhone 6 Plus and some iPhone 6 users. The issue seemed to result in unresponsive iPhone screens and is often companied by a thin gray flickering line along the top of the display (see above).
iFixit claimed at the time that the hardware malfunction, which it dubbed “touch disease”, was brought to Apple’s attention through its own support forums online and via retail stores.
iPhone 6 Plus: What causes ‘touch disease’?
While iFixit originally claimed the problem wasn’t the screen but rather the two touchscreen controller chips, or Touch IC chips, on the logic board inside the phone, Apple has confirmed the flaw – which it won’t call “touch disease” – is caused by dropping the phone repeatedly. The company said it will not cover the cost of a repair if you seek one, but it has launched a “Multi-Touch Repair Programme” for affected users.
Here’s what Apple specifically announced:
“Apple has determined that some iPhone 6 Plus devices may exhibit display flickering or Multi-Touch issues after being dropped multiple times on a hard surface and then incurring further stress on the device. If your iPhone 6 Plus is exhibiting the symptoms noted above, is in working order, and the screen is not cracked or broken, Apple will repair your device.”
iPhone 6 Plus: How much does a repair cost?
If your iPhone 6 Plus seems to have the “touch disease” flaw, and is in working order, Apple said it will repair your device for $149.
In other words, the company will not cover the cost of a repair whatsoever. There’s no word on affected iPhone 6 phones. Naturally, this is not sitting too well with many iPhone owners who have recently filed class action lawsuits against Apple over the issue.
iPhone 6 Plus: What if you already paid for a repair?
Apple said those who have already paid for a service repair are eligible for reimbursement equal to the difference between the original service repair cost and the new $149 programme price. It has begun contacting iPhone 6 Plus customers who went through an Apple retail store or Apple technical support in the past for a repair related to the issue and ultimately paid for a fix.
iPhone 6 Plus: How does the repair programme work?
Apple is giving iPhone 6 Plus users three service options: contact a Apple authorized service provider, go to an Apple retail store, or contact Apple technical support. Apple said your iPhone will be examined prior to any service to verify that it’s eligible for the programme and in working order.
Go to Apple’s repair programme webpage for more details.
The Public Access Weekly: Operation Apples
Yes, yes there has been a ton of Battlefield 1 getting played in my household… Why do you ask?
It’s been another crazy busy week over on Public Access so we’re going to forego the small talk and jump right in, bullet point style:
- There are roughly 25 new Public Access articles getting filed by new members every day. That is a) rad, and b) pretty time consuming to edit! Some of you have been, again, waiting longer than I would like for feedback. I’m working on that backlog today and this weekend, so hang in there!
- Speaking of you new members, it has been a sincere pleasure working with some of y’all on your stories, answering your questions and reading your articles. There is some truly amazing work going up lately, so kudos new members!
- That being said, I’ve had to ban another six members this week for plagiarism which… really?! C’mon now. That is shady behavior, it disrespects both the original author and our page. Cut it out. Or you know, get caught and banned immediately.
- Similarly, some of you Public Access members who have publish-on-demand privileges apparently need a reminder that we do not publish articles on topics that do not concern technology. I’ve had to remove multiple articles this month on guitars, insurance, essay writing, moving companies, and analog kitchen appliances. If the technology connection isn’t clear, it’s not for Public Access. If you ever have questions you can refer to our rules, or reach out to us.
Okay, while I get back to approving articles and registrations, check out this week’s reading recommendations and topic suggestions. Until next time!
Looking for something to read? Check out:
If you haven’t read Matt Porter’s ode to Galaxian, you are missing out on one of the best Public Access posts published this week. Porter’s article on his first experiences with arcade games really captures the childhood excitement we all felt while getting our first taste of video games, complete with descriptions of the sights, sounds and game play from way back in the day.
While the Facebook photo feature that turns pictures into Cubist-style works of art doesn’t really interest me much, I found Andre Campbell’s article on the neural network technology behind the filter to be a truly fascinating read. It’s a great explanation on the efforts that go into the even the simplest seeming technologies.
It’s standard operating procedure for companies to encourage their employees to use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, but few are also aware of the ways in which cyber-criminals on the dark web are reaching out to legit employees to gain information or access. Avi Kasztan’s article on the value of human assets to cyber crime pulls back the curtain on these shady activities.
Looking for something to write about? Mull over:
Devindra Hardawar spent some time with the Microsoft Surface Pro, which has both a truly gorgeous screen and a handy tilt function, and determined it to be a PC that proves that desktops can still be cool — but aren’t for everyone. Are desktops still ‘cool’? Why or why not?
Both Jaguar and Mini Cooper made news this week by releasing their first electric and hybrid vehicles (respectively). Are you interested in electric vehicles? Why or why not? If you are, which vehicle interests you most and why? And if you have an electric vehicle, tell us what pros and cons you’ve experienced.
As the holiday season grows ever nearer, more and more gift guides are getting published. So it seemed like the time to ask: What’s on your tech wish list, and why? Alternatively, what tech items are you planning on purchasing for other people this year?
Google relents, unlocks accounts for Pixel resellers
After about a day of scrutiny, Google is reinstating the accounts of people who bought Pixel phones on behalf of a New Hampshire dealer and shared in the profits once the devices were sold again with a markup. At this point it’s still unclear exactly how many people’s accounts were disabled because of their roles in the reselling scheme, but Daniel Eleff — owner of the deal-spotting website that first broke the story — mentioned over 200 people were locked out of their accounts, some for multiple days.
Just to be perfectly clear, Google had every right to disable the accounts in question — the company’s terms of service clearly prohibits the commercial resale of devices purchased from its online store or through Project Fi. To hear Google tell the tale, the company is unlocking the accounts because some customers “weren’t aware” of that particular rule.
Google went on to say that “many of the accounts suspended were created for the sole purpose of this scheme” — in other words, they were secondary accounts that probably didn’t have a lot of personal data associated with them. Still, anyone who used their primary Google account to buy phones for that unidentified dealer got a taste of swift, secretive corporate retribution. Remember: Google’s original response to these people was that they were simply locked out because of a “violation of [Google’s] Terms of Service,” leaving people to puzzle over their situation while coming to grips with their reliance on a single company for so much.
Emails sent to these people were bounced back to senders, and still others (as pointed out by ABC News) couldn’t access work documents and medical records. That, suffice to say, screwed up a lot of people’s days. Google’s move to block offenders from the company’s services was widely seen as overkill, especially since the scope of Google’s response has been hard to pin down. There was at least one reported case in which a Google account was disabled because the account attached to its recovery email was used to buy phones for resale, though others who did the same weren’t affected. Neither the would-be resale conspirators nor Google handled this whole situation very well, but hey — at least it’s all over.
AIVAnet 