Google and Amazon are the closest rivals when it comes to the smart home setups. Both of these brands offer a wide range of smart home devices, but when we look at the regular updates and launching of new products, Google seems to be lagging. Amazon recently made an announcement of dozens of updated smart home devices including, a home security camera and a swiveling Echo Show along with a range of Echo speakers and gaming streaming service. On the other hand, many smart home devices by Google have not yet received an updated version for years. However, it is the Google Launch Night on September 30, and we can expect a few updated and few new smart home devices other than Google Pixel 4a 5G, new Chromecast, and Google Pixel 5 getting unveiled at the event.
Nest Audio is something to watch for at the Google Launch Night as the original Google Home, which was released in 2016, is going to have an updated version. Nest Audio is supposed to be having better sound quality and wiser voice controls. You can expect Google to have designed this speaker with great efforts as it is the first direct successor to Google Home since 2016. It’s been four years since Google updated this device while Amazon has updated its main Echo speaker thrice in the last four years. Nest Audio is supposed to be available under $100.
Amazon has been the closest rival to Google when it comes to the smart speakers. In some sections, especially when it comes to the design and regular updates, you can feel Amazon beating Google. The new Amazon Echo features a lovely spherical design while Nest Audio is probably going to have the same as Nest Mini and Google Home Max. The new Amazon Echo is also having a built-in Zigbee hub and new custom co-processors to keep it a bit ahead of Nest Audio. However, Nest Audio is also supposed to be having a much better sound quality than the previous version. If you believe the rumors, the sound quality can be as good as a portable speaker also.
Other than the main speakers, Amazon has also been working on updating other devices like Echo Dot, while Google seems to be putting the only focus on the main speaker for bringing out a new version. Amazon has made affordable speakers like Echo Dot, available with the latest features and cute looks like tiger and panda Echo Dot Kids Editions. Google has not worked towards any such sort of thing recently. Amazon has also made efforts in making the Alexa line devices smarter, which makes other Google home smart devices seem falling back automatically.
Just like the smart speaker, Google has not made any significant changes to the Nest Learning Thermostat either, for the last three years. We are not also sure if we will see the new thermostat getting unveiled at the upcoming event. Ecobee, a close rival to Nest, has launched three new generations of its thermostats since 2015, and that pushes Google behind again in the market.
Google is a trustworthy brand, and it can surprise the market anytime with some technology that no one got. We can expect some great products coming out of Google’s Launch Night event with the ‘Sabrina’ Android TV and Pixel 4a 5G already lined up. Google might have seemed to be losing its ground in the market of smart home devices but can never doubt the capabilities of Google bouncing back, especially when they are a service company primarily. We can expect Google to roll out some quality smart home devices in upcoming times and intensify the rivalry with Amazon.
source: Smart Home Fight Between Google and Amazon
