Loving Home so far! - Google Cast (UPDATED)

[The_Chief]

We've cut over our home automation from Amazon Echo to the Google Home ecosystem. Echo worked well enough, but Alexa seems (for obvious reasons) to be more focused on shopping skills than information. Google wins out huge on information.

It was a bit tricky to set up the Smartthings hub, outlets and the Honeywell 9580 WiFi thermostat, and then tie all that to Google Home. But I think we're about there. Then we'll sell our entire Echo setup as a package deal.

Fun tip: say "okay Google, let's play trivia!"

She enjoys that... and so do I!

 

[The_Chief]

Oops! I completely forgot to update this! Long story short, Google Home went back, and I'm back on Alexa.

Google Home turned out to be half-baked and definitely not ready for prime time. We would tell it to set the thermostat down from 69 to 67... and Home confirmed that. But I happened to walk past the thermostat and noticed that it was set to 40!

It also sucked at answering simple questions:

"Hey Google, when was the last time Army beat Navy?"

"Sorry, I'm not sure how to help with that yet."

Huh?

I asked the exact same question to Google on my phone, using the exact same words. 2001.

So it's Google Lite or something. Anyway, after several emails and a phone call to Google Home support, it was clear that no fix was imminent. I took all 3 Home units back for a refund and set up the Echo system again. Happy now.

 

[Rob]

I haven't used Echo so can't comment there, but I've also had mixed thoughts on Google Home.

(1) I absolutely love having it and won't return it because I would miss it. Really does add great value in terms of convenience, entertainment, etc...

(2) Lots of features, as you mention, are either I don't know how to help you with that or I can't do that just yet. Features that seem pretty straight forward that you would expect Google could accomplish. That's rather frustrating.

I'm already invested in the Google Home ecosystem mentally so will see how it develops and when Generation 2 comes around, maybe reevaluate.

That being said, I've considered getting an echo in another room to test the difference.

Anyone else that has used both have an opinion?

 

[The_Chief]

I agree: I know a lot of people would consider Google Home or Amazon Echo as "First World" luxuries. And maybe they are. But I know this: once you've set it up and gotten used to it, you really don't want to be without it.

The good news for me is that the Honeywell 9000 series smart thermostat and the SmartThings stuff I bought to work with Google Home also work with Echo. So that was EASY: just enable those skills, pair them up, and DONE. Alexa has the added bonus of tracking my shipments from Amazon (which are a LOT, thank you Prime), she plays a great game of Jeopardy and trivia, and the Flash Briefing gives me what I want, when I want it, in the order I want.

Being able to say "Alexa, add eggs to my shopping list" and have that list right on my phone, in the store, is hugely convenient. Now I'll shut up and let someone else chime in...

 

[Nathan Tipping]

I have loved my Google Home, I have had mine for a year now and i usually use it when getting ready in the morning. It is useful getting up in the morning. When you tell it to wake you up with some music.