like the features, setup was difficult for some of my devices (August Door lock, ru-vid.comUgkxhB5YOMNj04GuoAosExygP4cH-dKeb4aB Bose speaker)... but all switches and outlets (5), thermostat, tankless water heater. Unfortunately all I can do is turn on/off Bose. It doesn't support volume or changing channels, but I believe that is due to the particular speaker I have.... Worth getting if you already have other devices to use it with... I don't sit around and ask Alexa questions much so that doesn't really matter to me....
I just wanted to mention that I've found speaking more naturally to the Google Assistant works better. The language processing is really good. Instead of "turn the office fan on and turn on the living room light" you can just say "turn the office fan and light on" and I should work the same. You can also list multiple rooms and just say "lights" at the end to save time. Much more conversational ☺️
That's the purpose of setting up rooms! The assistant automatically know which room youre in and will turn on devices based on room. he's in the office and speaking to the office assistant so all devices will be accessible in the office. If he goes to the living room and want to connect to devices in the office then he'll have to say the office keyword while speaking to the living room assistant otherwise only the living room devices will be accessible OR he can say "turn on ALL the lights" and both living room and office lights will be turned on no matter which assistant he's speaking too! Brilliant.
I actually have an echo dot and two minis but it is so time-consuming changing routines for one and verifying they aren't there for the other. Of course, the annoying part is the fact that the two devices do not interact. I would love to see this in the future but I doubt it will happen. It would be great to be able to simply transfer music playing from an echo dot to a mini or force push an update to a device name that you changed. Alexa is pretty good about pulling those changes through but Google has yet to really put this in yet. I use Alexa to control my lighting and I use Google for the kitchen where I am more likely to search for stuff or retrieve recipes.
You can also create stereo pairs too now of any of the Google Homes or Nest Minis. It's different than a speaker group in that it actually splits the left and right channel. Makes a surprising difference! Bonus: you can then treat that pair as a single speaker and add it to groups too
A cool thing about the voice recognition as well for google, is that I have the female voice response, and my mom has the mail voice response, and no matter which google home we talk to, it changes the voice response gender depending who google is answering
UPDATE: Two things I wasn't doing right in the video which I wanted to correct. Paul Jones gave me a tip that my Echo Dot wasn't displaying the camera feed to my Fire Stick due to a setting in the Alexa app. In the Alexa app go to Settings, TV & Video, Fire TV, Manage devices. I had my dot pointed to the wrong Fire Stick in the settings. Apparently I couldn't override it by saying the name of the Fire Stick in the command like I can do with Google. The other thing was clarified by the user Daddy. When using BOND with Google I need to use low, medium and high for the fan speed and not a %. With Alexa I can say a % or I can say low, medium, high. I still think Alexa is slightly more flexible in getting the voice command right when controlling a smart device but this is good to know. Thanks for being a great community where we can help each other out. I'm always learning from you all!
Dude need your advice how do you keep your smart items such as lights, and WiFi enabled devices secure from network data extractions and etc. Can we get a review or info on that?
Hi from London, UK. Great video as always. I look forward to viewing Ring doorbells on a Sony Android TV with chromecast and talking through chrome speaker at the same time! We have a Neato D7 called Horace who says Hi!
You can call from one room to another with google devices, but you have to have a Duo account setup. You can also Duo from your phone to a google device.
Google now has a intercom/'drop-in' capability (apparently, I only have one mini so I can't test): "Make calls between your devices Members of your home can call your speakers or displays from their phone or from the home’s other displays or speakers. Call from a speaker or display to a speaker or display: To call another speaker or display in your home, say, “Ok Google,“ then “Call [display or speaker name] or Video call [display or speaker name].“"
Hi, I'll start by saying I always enjoy watching your videos...but 1 correction for this video. Echo devices also support "and" for multiple commands in 1 sentence.
You can use an echo to show your supported cameras on your tv without using the remote. You just have to connect the echo with the Firestick in the alexa app, then you can control all voice functions for the Firestick through the echo without the remote.
I like that my google assistance often gives me some tips and clues on what extra features it has. Like one night when I wanted to set an alarm it responded with "why not try a lego city alarm?" So since that day I now always wake up to "good morning hero!" like I live in lego city with the songs and a lego news update in the morning 😂
You can use any echo device to bring up your camera on your firestick, you just have to link that particular echo device to the firestik under your alexa app in settings, tv &video, fire tv, and then manage devices. Always enjoy your videos. Paul
Oh wow thank you! I had the echo dot linked to another fire stick in a different room. Now it works! What's annoying is that I asked Alexa to play the camera feed on fire stick and I used the fire stick name in the command. You would think that it would over ride it but I guess not. I appreciate the help though!
@@SmartHomeSolver , You are welcome, nice to be able to help with something, I am a tech guy, Electronics technician actually and an all around gadget geek, love smart home stuff and I always manage to find useful tips in your videos. Now you should just be able to say alexa, show me (whatever your camera name is) and it should pop up on the firestick associated with that echo device. Now if I can just figure out how to get it to auto switch the input to the firestick and then go back to where it was, use to work, then it quit when I disconnected it to move everything out for some work to be done.
I really appreciate it. Yeah I just said "show back yard camera" and I didn't have to the say the TV name or anything and it worked so that's nice. With Google I can set the default TV but I can override it by saying another TV or chromecast device name to display it on. Apparently I can't do that with Alexa which isn't that big of a deal. I'm glad to hear you get some tips out of the videos. That's a good suggestion about switching inputs and then having it automatically go back to the previous one. I'm going to try and figure that one out.
It is supposed to work that way automatically like someone below commented that it does with their fire tv cube, and mine did when I first set it up with my firestick, then it quit and I can't get it back. And it doesn't work with my fire tv cube that was installed a few months ago. I know I am missing something silly, I will get it eventually.
Hi Reed, I've been binge watching several of your videos and am looking to get into a basic automation network for my home. I'm kind of sold on the Google/Nest products and using Google Assistant at this point and have looked at the Mini. Is there really any reason to buy a Gen 2 Nest Mini over the Home Mini? I'm really not concerned with audio quality from the speaker at all. I'll just be placing a few around the house to pick up voice commands.
Just my own follow up. After some quick research of my own there's only 10 USD difference and I'd rather have the newer tech if that's all that it costs.
Hey Mike thanks for supporting the channel! To be honest the Nest Mini seems too similar to the Home Mini that I can't tell a difference. It has another microphone which I haven't tested out the improvement of that but it can only help. When I compared the Home Mini with the new Echo dots it didn't do as well. That's probably the only reason I would spend the extra $10 but either one is going to work well.
Amazing video. Your the only one I've seen compare features like this between google assistant and alexa. As a google user I was super impressed and jealous of the alexa app in your $200 smart home video. Glad to hear some of that is coming to google home app soon. I was bummed I wasn't able to a light as a routine trigger in the alexa app though, only motion and door sensors.
@@cephalonplant4087 Hey thanks. I'll check it out. ...I found the video, and he said that his major appliances use a lot more energy. I switched my TV off at the surge protector when he said that his TV uses 2 bucks a day while off!
Is it possible to make your google nest hub to be able to see the front door when someone is there without the person ringing or telling him to? Like an auto turn on when someone is there
Useful tips fella and a good comparison of the systems. Thanks! I jumped from Alexa to Google home a year or so ago and haven't looked back. So much better if you have a Google play subscription and are baked into their ecosystem. Keep up the great work.
I have an Alexa ecosystem and you just made me very jealous. 1. I've often been annoyed that I can't give multiple commands at once 2. I was wondering if there was a way to automatically show Ring on the echo show so you answered that. Weird thing is, my Smasung fridge family hub shows doorbells automatically. 3. The find my phone feature has been useless for me. I wish it was more like Google. 4. At least my Samsung TV will show me the Ring motion automatically without a command as long as the TV is on. 5. Sending recipes?! Are you kidding me? This is the reason I don't use recipes on my show. Because you have to search for it on the show, the interface is clunky, and there's no way to send it from your phone to a show.
Hey for your point number 1. You can use multiple commands with Alexa. I realize now that I didn't say it clear in the video. Until I made this video I didn't know I could give multiple Alexa commands separated with "and". It is strange that the Brilliant smart light switch screen also shows the Ring doorbell video feed right away as well. Weird you can do it on the fridge and light switch but not the echo show.
Have you noticed any considerable delay when asking to show a security camera in the Chromecast, nest hub or echo show? I read that they can have almost 20 seconds of delay.
I noticed you broadcasted in your home on multiple google minis and there is an annoying sound delay (echo/lag). Have you been able to sync them? I tried adjusting the lag via each speaker but it doesn't really work that well. Any thoughts??
Thanks, Informative video. As a newbie to the whole scene, I have just a few questions, Sounds like a Google home device can do most of the things without the need for a hub. How accurate is that assumption? Say all I want in a smart home is home media system control, lighting control, and maybe a snartlock along with a few motion sensors, do I still need to buy a hub? And if so, which would you recommend? Playing music across different rooms is awesome, but I'm skeptical of the quality those tiny speakers produce(haven't used them though). Any workaround to solve that? It looks like there are several Google home and Alexa devices, maybe you should do a video on those, comparing prices, pros and cons etc. I'm seeing tiny lil speakers, devices with screens etc. Give us your experience using all those and advice on which is best value. Thank you for your awesome channel. It's been really helpful💯
hey you know how I can make my screen and audio follow me around the house while I go from room to room? I mean like using a door sensor to make the transition then when you enter a room the screen from that room suddenly wakes from sleep and starts playin what I was watchin with seamless transition. maybe IFTTT?
Thanks for the great comparison! I was looking for someone to do an updated one as all others seem to be from a few years ago and wanted to know if I'm missing out on anything with not having Alexa. Is it still true that you can't Google search on Echo devices? That's one thing I do almost daily on my Google Homes. Still happy with my choice!
You can drop in on Google speakers with a command: hey Google, call 'the speaker's name's and it will drop in like Alexa's. Just make sure you have activated duo for all the speakers that you want this to have :)
For the broadcast demo you almost triggered one of the built in announcements. Instead of saying "hey kids come and get dinner", say "ok google, tell everyone, dinners ready" and it will ring a bell and play a pre-recorded sample. There are a few like "time for bed" and "time to get up". On the devices with screens you get a nice animation as well.
I have a question. I'm using nest and have some wiz lights and govee lights set to it. Anyway to set this stuff up so that when there is a power outage and the power comes back on, all these lights dont all come on? Really annoying in the middle of the night
Really like your videos! So in an ideal Smart Home world you need both Echo and Google devices. In our flat we are running both. I got fed up being one sided 😄
you spent several days beforehand googling for google home, and google shipped one to you, then you used google's youtube site - they keep track of your purchases, even from other vendors if you use gmail or cookies
Hello, i'm new here I just bought a house and I would like to purchase nest security cameras will the nest security camera videos show up on the echo show? or will I have to buy the nest hub?
The lightbulbs you listed in the description are no longer available in Amazon. Do you have another recommendation for a light bulb that works with Google assistant?
Yes I have a few videos testing lots of different light bulbs that work with Google Assistant. You can see the bulbs and both videos all listed here: smarthomesolver.com/reviews/best-smart-bulbs-alexa-google-assistant/
Great video! Quick question: Can I pair the same devices to Google Home and Alexa at the same time? I was wondering if I can use both assistants to control Wifi Plugs, Lights, Switchbots, ... assuming the devices are compatible with both assistants of course.
I have GE z-wave fan switches connected to a SmartThings hub. Google is able to control the speed of the fan. You have to use % like a light switch (not low, med, high). Works really well.
Thanks for sharing. I have a Haiku fan and Google is able to set the fan speed using % as well. As another person pointed out that with BOND and Google I need to say Low, Medium, High. With Alexa I can say a % or Medium and it works either way. Google still works really well but Alexa is a little more flexible in getting it right when controlling my smart devices in my opinion.
I need help. I just got myself ikea light bulbs and i have a chromecast in my receiver. Do I buy google home och google mini? I will get moore products in the future but what can I do moore with the big google home that I cabt with the mini?
Hi..i got both alexa echo dot and google mini....i have a generic smart bulb compatible with both including one yeelight as well. Say if i say turn on bedroom light..i want it to turn bright white..but say if i say good nite..i want same bulb turn to blue with 5% brightness..is it possible with either or both?
Yes, you can set up these automations using the routines with Alexa or Google. You should be able to get pretty specific about the color and brightness of the bulb.
I'm very judicious when 'subscribing,' but halfway through this video, I went ahead and subscribed. I currently have eight HomePod(s), but I'm tired of waiting for Apple to get Siri to work. I'm gonna order one of these, maybe two.
Can I ask what’s the best home assistant. Google or Siri or Alex Alexa which one can you integrate all three what would that be a bad idea could you use home bridge
Hi @Smart Home Solver, regarding 6:38 - if you have 2 Google devices - you can ask one to call the other (like the Amazon DropIn) - and it works. It's the same - if they are in the same house(network).
@@SmartHomeSolver Ok, that can be true. I tried just now - from my office Google Mini and said: ok google, call Bedroom (where I have another mini), and it asked how do I want to make it - video or audio . I replied Audio and the answer was - I will make an audio call to Bedroom on Duo. And the Bedroom started to ring :)
That's awesome you got it to work. It's still not as convenient as dropping in on echo devices. Since you don't have to "answer" on the receiving echo device. That's good to know you can call on Google devices though.
enjoyed your video. some funny moments in there. can you please recommend some smart locks compatible With google home. I want to make sure they work while I'm out. Ive seen the nest assure locks but they're expensive since I want three of them.
You can use a Echo Dot 3 with the Firestick 4k to show the Ring doorbell on your tv. All you have to do is set it on the Alexa app. I use it all the time.
In the Google Home app, go to the device settings for your Google display that you want to have a clock/background image. Then in settings go to Photo Frame, and you can pick the background and clock that you want to display.
@@SmartHomeSolver How is that? Once I go inside photo frame. Have only 4 options, google photos, art gallery, full screen clock and experimental. If I select Full screen clock I'm stuck with the standard clock face with no backgrounds like in your video? If I select google photos, I do get a small clock at the bottom left of the screen.
I have an iPhone 7. I how do I activate the “send to smart display” option? I have a Google Home and a chromecast. I just liked that option to press one button to send. Thanks
No you cannot. Another big plus I don't think he mentioned about Nest Hello is facial recognition. Not only will the video feed come up, but it will also tell you WHO is at the front door. LOVE IT.
Why can't Google speakers play six different songs simultaneously? I don't want to disconnect them. The intercom feature is heavily relied upon in my family.
I don't know if they have a set date but when I read Google's blog post it seemed like they were aiming for the beginning of 2020. Hopefully sooner than later though.
5:20 you don't need the remote. On mine I just say "alexa show doorbell" or "alexa, show backyard" to my echo... Works for ring and wyze cams. You do need to be on the fire TV HDMI Input... I have the fire TV 2nd gen. and the fire TV 3rd gen (pendant). I have fire sticks but haven't tried it on them.
I appreciate the comment. I finally figured out my issue and it was a setting in the Alexa app. Apparently I had my echo dot pointed to the wrong fire stick. Even though I told the echo dot to play on the correct fire stick name it wouldn't override the settings. I updated the pinned comment with more info.
Amazon Alexa is the best for home automation, it has the most skills. Echo dot 4th generation has zigbee builtin (to control my blinds, doorlock, etc.). Also, Google can't add a device to more than 1 room or group; example: kitchen and family room are adjacent to each other and I want the lights in both room to turn off if I say all, as well as independently turning off either room. Alexa is inexpensive so I bought 8 to equip every room with Amazon Alexa for voice control so that I can just ask 'turn off the lights' and the echo in that room knows to turn off those lights and not other lights in the house. Google app's fonts are really really really tiny for my old eyes. All 8 of my Amazon Echo devices have a clock... very convenient to tell the time or see a timer's countdown. or better sound, I have a few of my Amazon Echo dot 3 with clock output the sound via its 3.5mm headphone jack to my Denon HEOS speakers. New home automation users who want zigbee to communicate with blinds, door locks, lightbuilbs, etc. can just buy the Amazon Echo 4th generation with builtin zigbee.
That's the one item I am missing is to trigger something from an action, not a voice. I would love for (for example) the front door to open and the Google homes to announce it "*ding* front door open". I know there are webhooks and items I can use within smartthings, but I want it to run seamless and within Google home app. Just waiting....
Do you know if there is any way to access Pinterest on the Nest? Or if you’ve heard any plans regarding this? I use Pinterest for recipes and would be great to pull up saved boards to use recipes I have pinned
Love the vids, new sub! I’m Working on making my home smarter. A decent workaround for drop-in using google is the “broadcast” feature. I have two google minis and it’s working. I will eventually set up a third to see if the ability to choose is possible.
Great video thanks for everything you do question 1. How can I have the display show time weather and date on home screen 2. How do I get it to show a full month I would be a lot happier if this was a available and even better if it split screen and show time weather date in one side and the full month on the other side 👍
I appreciate that! To show the time, weather and date go to your Google Home app. Find the display and select it. Then in the top right there is three little dots select that and then select Photo Frame settings. There are things you can toggle on and off. I'm not sure how to get it to show a full month though.
Smart Home Solver Great thanks for your help I appreciate it I have both the google home hub and the echo show 8 and just trying to figure out which one it’s more beneficial and can do more for my smart home plus regular day please make appointments shopping list things like that every day things but thank you very much for your help once again will keep watching👍🏆
Amazing videos!! Keep up the good work!! You inspire me to make a little smart home (basic smart bulb and Alexa nothing crazy) but my parents freak out about the lights not turning on when they flip the light switch!!😂😂
Any word on when 3rd party devices and sensors will be able to trigger the aforementioned Google routines you mentioned near the end of this video almost a year ago in Google Home?... I just bought a Amazon Flex (and disabled the mic, because I don't trust Amazon) solely for 3rd party devices and sensor activated automations from a variety of manufacturers in my smart home... After using my new Echo Flex for close to a week for JUST this, I can confidentially say Google really needs to up it's game when it comes to is own set of routines!
Cool, so hopefully soon ill be able the press and hold my hue button to start a google goodnight, without me having to speak. i just need to know how i can start a hue entertainment scene when a hue socket turns on, in my case my house alarm works with hue, so i wanted the alarm to turn on a socket, then that socked starts a police siren scene from hue essentials. Cheers.
