2017 has been the year for flagship smart speakers across famously recognised tech companies including, Amazon, Google and Apple. This makes it competitive for the companies and strenuous for us to choose the best available speaker. At my house, I have two Amazon Echo Dot smart speakers. Based on reviews and opinions of other people, I am comparing the devices to give an opportunity for you to choose the most suitable one, if you’re looking to purchase.
Note: This is a collection of blogs which will have one speaker per blog as it can get too large if it was composed as one.
While Amazon commence the competition and Apple join the competition lately, we start the timeline from the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot. Although, Amazon have been developing and enhancing the user-experience with the devices over the years, which is a point to consider.
Amazon Alexa
Definitely worth mentioning is the fact that Amazon turn their innovative ideas into a reality; they have produced many unique devices in the smart speaker category and they deserve the credit for considering the different uses and purposes, the devices can be used for. The Echo with its great surround speakers, the Echo Dot with so much in so little, the Echo Show with a wonderfully interactive screen and the Echo Spot with a compact screen, all contribute to this innovation.
Amazon offers a range of devices for a reliable price and no compromising aspects. They are packed with knowledge in the cloud with the free open-source development program that is increasingly promoting the Alexa Skills store. Amazon uses the concept of having a store where skills can be downloaded and used in the devices with a simple “enable” click; those skills can be developed by anyone for free and published when successfully certified on developer.amazon.com. This brings me on to what I like best about the Alexa:
- Less web, more answers – When a question is asked to Alexa, for example, “What’s the score in Manchester United latest game?” It will respond directly as opposed to searching the web for it. Instant responses are what users seek. With Alexa, majority of questions raised are answered in this way.
- Amazon Music & Services – Alexa offers a choice of a range of services as a music service. Once you have the service, you can use dictation to control your music. Additionally, with Amazon Music, ask any song, and it will play right away. It is one of the best features enabling you to discover and increase knowledge on music.
- The Alexa App – From controlling your smart home to getting customisability in a range of features, Alexa works excellently with the quick and easy-to-use app. Setting up a smart home or groups with multiple Alexa’s is as easy as it can get.
- The advanced, simplified – I can say an endless list of all the basic things any smart speaker can do. With Alexa, the advanced things are handled so seamlessly that they don’t seem advanced – they’re simplified! For example, if you ask a complicated question like, “Where is the closest McDonalds?” and then “When is it open until?“, it will reply with exactly what you need. With some voice assistants, people fear to question like this because they know false information will be delivered. With Alexa, you don’t need to deteriorate from the questions; it will respond to anything cleverly.
- Bluetooth + Headphone Jack – With Alexa, surprisingly enough, you are offered a headphone jack! Connecting through bluetooth is also another option. Both ways, you can play your music and control it with your voice without interruptions.
Just like anything in technology, and for that matter anything at all, you can’t have a perfect device. This applies to Alexa too! Here’s what I don’t like about the Alexa:
- Alexa is one ignorant device! – We all love to enjoy listening to music in loud volumes; playing music at max volume on the Alexa is a common choice. Unfortunately, Alexa’s microphones just don’t seem to hear out for you, whilst playing the music, unless you yell at the ignorant device. It has been quite frustrating to shout at a device to be heard however, at low volumes it copes responsibly.
- Poor music quality – Alexa covers the “smart” aspect however, it really is a compromise on the “speaker” side of things. The device lacks good quality(unlike the HomePod and Google Max) and just doesn’t seem convincing enough. It gets loud and offers an almost surround experience; it isn’t great in spatial awareness too(producing and directing sound based on the surroundings).
- Always plugged in – More than a concern, this is a desire for me across the device lineup. Having a portable device contributes a lot to compiling a good product; I believe making the device portable would be a good move to make them “portable smart speakers” which could be the next move. For now, we have to accept it being permanently related to the wall(socket on the wall).
In conclusion, I sum up the Alexa as the “almost dealbreaker” smart speaker as it has all you need and it serves the purpose however, it lacks the “speaker” title to its functionality. This is why I suggest holding back and deciding whether you want a smart Alexa or a smart speaker. Hold your horses, the next blog in the collection is a few days away to its arrival.
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