First my setup
Device: Nexus 7 (android 4.1.2)
Dialect: Non-regional (At no time during the test did I have to repeat myself for clarity. Both apps understood me just fine)
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Easy Everyday Questions (From Robins description page):
1) Where is the nearest Macy's
Robin- Found the right one, also listed many other stores with macy in the name
GN-Showed me on a map, along with the telephone number, website, and google reviews. Also found the number for their optical department and 1 random store with macy in name
2) Where's a burger place?
Robin- Listed many local bars that do indeed serve burgers, but for some reason listed "Burger Place" almost a mile away despite there being several bars/restaurants within half a block of my apartment
GN- Same listings as Robin, but provided address, telephone, and reviews at a glace
3) Whats the traffic like in Minneapolis?
Robin- Showed correct traffic map (hey what do ya know, traffic is good at 10:30 PM on a Monday
)
GN-Brought up the same map that robin did, no surprise there as robin used the google maps traffic info. Also listed website for Minneapolis Traffic Report
4) Whats the weather like tomorrow?
Robin- Shows forecast for next 4 days, spoken
GN- Same as above
Fact Based questions:
1) How tall is lebron James?
Robin-"6ft 7.25 inches." Displayed it in small black text overlaying the map interface. Very strange way to show a result
GN-"Lebron James is 6 feet 8 inches tall" with fact card
2) Who do the chicago bears play next week?
Robin- "Playing Music" -- option comes up to select which music app to use. Seems "Play" is a trigger word for music app
GN-"The Bears and playing the 49ers on November 19th at 7:30 PM". Sweet, MNF
3)What was the score of the bears game last week?
Robin- "Lets ask ESPN", brought up a generic ESPN NFL website that displayed the scores of many football games and news articles about other teams
GN- "The Bears lost to the Texans 13-6"- Provides link to recap & highlights
4)What is Oprahs net worth?
Robin- "I'm not quire sure about the answer to what is Oprah's net worth"...Hmm, she understood me
GN- Brings up google search results for what is oprahs net worth
Hard-mode:
1) Give me directions to the university of Minnesota by bus
Robin- "Lets ask ESPN"....
Brought up NBA Page
Round 2----"Cool Beans, thats awesome!" ---- Not exactly helpful
GN- "Getting Directions...."
Gives me 4 different bus route options and has option to adjust when I'd like to depart.
Overall:
Google Now wins it, but I was impressed by Robins abilities (its only a beta) It annoyed me that when I opened the app robin started a dialogue everytime, where as with google now as soon as you hit the button you can start asking it questions. I want my questions answered, I don't need a friend
Also, the robin voice creeped me out. I didnt allow it to download the other voices it requested.
