A number of Google Home Mini devices that were distributed to members of the press had a defect that caused them to record everything being said around them. This discovery renewed privacy concerns surrounding smart speakers as surreptitious listening devices in our … [Read more...] about Echo and Home will probably have to tell you they’re always listening — in Europe
Amazon
Can Google Express help traditional retail level the playing field with Amazon?
Google Express has kicked off a new ad campaign called “Need anything from the store?” which promotes it as a delivery service for “all your stores in one place,” according to an Advertising Age report. The effort shows people of all ages and walks of life … [Read more...] about Can Google Express help traditional retail level the playing field with Amazon?
Amazon just upped the ante in the battle of the virtual assistants
Yesterday, at a pre-emptive event in Seattle, Amazon introduced new Alexa devices to keep its lead in the battle for the smart home. Google is having its own hardware event on October 4. Amazon introduced six products. First and foremost, it presented a more compact, cheaper Echo … [Read more...] about Amazon just upped the ante in the battle of the virtual assistants
Report: 57% of smart speaker owners have bought something with their voice
There are roughly 20 million smart speakers now in the US. And more than half of device owners have used them to buy something, according to survey data from NPR and Edison Research. The data released this week is part two of a report first introduced in July. … [Read more...] about Report: 57% of smart speaker owners have bought something with their voice
Report: Google beats Amazon for product-search reach, but rival sees greater loyalty
Another survey has highlighted Amazon’s outsized role in shopping and product discovery. This one comes from performance marketing platform Kenshoo. The company commissioned a survey of 3,100 consumers in the US, the UK, Germany and France. The survey findings echo others … [Read more...] about Report: Google beats Amazon for product-search reach, but rival sees greater loyalty
When it ‘can’t answer that,’ Alexa begins recommending third-party skills
Most of the random questions you ask Alexa devices will be met with “Hmm, I don’t know that” or “Sorry, I’m not sure.” By comparison, Google Home, with its search index access, typically does a better job on general knowledge and information … [Read more...] about When it ‘can’t answer that,’ Alexa begins recommending third-party skills
Alexa and Cortana will soon work together, allowing each to access the other
Earlier this morning Amazon and Microsoft announced that their virtual assistants will soon work together. Alexa devices will be able to access Cortana, and Cortana will be able to open Alexa: Alexa customers will be able to access Cortana’s unique features like booking a … [Read more...] about Alexa and Cortana will soon work together, allowing each to access the other
Walmart offering voice shopping via Google Assistant and Home
Google and Walmart have announced a partnership to bring Walmart voice shopping to the Google Assistant and Google Home. Free delivery will also be available through Google Express, which is changing its pricing structure. Though not discussed in either company’s blog post, … [Read more...] about Walmart offering voice shopping via Google Assistant and Home
Google rolling out hands-free calling on Google Home to US and Canada
At Google I/O, the company announced that it was going to allow calling via Google Home. Now, Mountain View is rolling out the capability for the US and Canada in English, with Canadian French coming soon. The device will permit calling to your Google contacts and businesses by … [Read more...] about Google rolling out hands-free calling on Google Home to US and Canada
NPR survey: Americans love their smart speakers, 42% call them ‘essential’
Americans love their “smart speakers” and they plan to buy more of them. That’s according to a recent, in-depth consumer study from NPR and Edison Research. The survey polled more than 1,600 respondents (equally divided between device owners and non-owners) and … [Read more...] about NPR survey: Americans love their smart speakers, 42% call them ‘essential’