Google Home Hub vs Amazon Echo Show? Which is the better smart video display speaker?
With virtual assistants already a big hit with all the customers around the globe, the two tech giants – Google and Amazon have gone a step ahead and added a screen to their virtual assistants. Today, we are going to compare the Google Home Hub and the Amazon Echo Show to give you an idea on the features and the workings of each of them. Google’s smart display has officially arrived in their Google Home Hub. But it has strong competition in the reigning king of smart video displays with Amazon’s second generation Echo Show. Which one you buy might ultimately depend on whether you plan to invest in a Google or Amazon smart home.
Will The Google Home Hub Be The Center Of Your Smart Home?
Even though Google stepped into this space fairly late, there is no doubt that it is among the best in the market. Google has learnt from its previous mistakes and ensured that it delivers what the customers are looking for. The Google Home Hub has a 7-inch touch screen with a built-in Google assistant. The basic idea is to make the interaction more real. For example, when you say “Good morning, Google!” – it will show you the weather for the day, how your calendar looks like, your commute, and local news. You can also control all your smart home devices using your voice or via the touchscreen.
The screen is top-notch and the brightness can be dimmed or turned off during the night time. Google’s Home Hub also acts as a mini photo viewer. It can easily fetch the photos from your phone with just verbal commands. Google has also gone a step ahead by programming the Assistant to identify the voice of the user. It can identify who is asking the question and personalize the answer. This means that Google will not mess up your commute details with another member of the family’s.
Though Google has excluded the camera in the device, which takes away its ability to do a video call, it can control all the smart home devices which have been configured and linked to the Google Home App. Do note that device’s back is made up of fabric which might easily get dirty, in case it is used in the kitchen. The installation of the device is fairly simple and straightforward.
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“The Google Home Hub brings a visual face to Google Assistant and adds an extra dimension to the information it serves. This gadget is small enough to sit in the corner or edge or any room and intelligent enough to adjust its display to its surroundings.” – Martyn Williams and Adam Patrick Murray on TechHive.com
“Google’s Home Hub is unlike most other smart displays on the market. With its small size and soft fabric exterior, the Home Hub is well-suited for nearly every room in your house. The notable absence of a camera helps alleviate privacy concerns, which makes it ideal for personal spaces like the bedroom.” – Niicole Lee on Engadget.com
“Google Assistant gets a tiny screen that can sit anywhere in your home. Another way to command connected devices like televisions, Rokus, thermostats, and lights. Gorgeous design. Smarter than Alexa and Siri put together.” – Michael Calore on Wired.com
“The cameraless, petite Google Home Hub will blend into any room in your home. It’s affordable, and quite useful as a digital assistant (especially in the kitchen), a photo frame and a smart home control panel.” – Andrew Gebhart on Cnet.com
Bigger Sound And Better Looks In Amazon’s 2nd Gen Echo Show
The second version of the Amazon Echo Show has improved a lot and this tells us that Amazon has not given up the competition in smart speaker devices area. The device has a larger screen than Google’s Home Hub with 10-inches and is also capable of playing full HD videos. It is powered with a 5-megapixel camera for video calls. The device is also surrounded with 8 microphones which are strategically located so as to pick up the speaker’s voice.
There are quite a few shortcuts on the Echo Show’s home screen, such as basic controls for all your smart home devices, launching the routine, set up, and many more. The device is becoming smarter with each upgrade by Amazon Alexa is smart enough to play music with lyrics on the screen or show your favorite recipe whilst you are cooking in the kitchen.
Google has made it difficult for Amazon devices to access YouTube but Amazon has worked around the problem by having a web browser integrated. You would do well to note that the voice search does not work in the browser. The sound quality of the device is not up to the mark as the bass is a bit on the heavier side.
Get Your Amazon Echo Show Now!
“Big sound and screen improvements! Watched a movie and couldn’t believe the dynamic sound seperation and clarity. The picture in now large enough to view movies at an increased distance as well as cam views and text notifications!” – Brian P. November 4, 2018
“This is my first time using an Echo Show and it is great. I love the way you can see some of your requests on the screen. For example asking for recipes and seeing them on the screen is a great help. Along with some of the skills I have been using have displays that I never was able to view since my only experience with an Echo was an Echo Dot. The sound on this is awesome love listening to music on this.” – Mihail Nakoff November 4, 2018
We purchased the second gen to upgrade our original show in the kitchen. The larger size makes it mush easier to view recipes and videos. The sound quality is far better than the gen 1….great product.” – “TX_Cachers October 16, 2018
“When I first saw the Echo Show Gen 1, I was on the fence of getting it. Looked promising but the screen was a bit small for the price tag. Glad I waited for Gen 2! The screen on this thing is beautiful. Full HD and vibrant colors. I’m amazed that I can watch my Prime shows and it looks great. I also love the lyrics on the screen for Amazon Music. Sometimes I just want a solo karaoke session in my kitchen.” – Chao Chao October 16, 2018
*** A Quick Breakdown Of The Competitors ***
Google Home Hub features & benefits:
• Bigger Screen, less expensive
• Goole Home Assistant Smart Home Ecosystem
• YouTube Video Integration
• Google Play Music & YouTube Music
Amazon Echo Show features & benefits:
• Better features overall
• Amazon Alexa Smart Home Ecosystem
• Amazon Prime Video Integration
• Amazon Prime Music
So, what’s the decision? Who won the smart home battle between the Amazon Echo Show And Google Home Hub?
The biggest factor when choosing an Amazon Echo Show or Google Home Hub may largely be which smart home ecosystem you prefer. If you already have a Google Home or Amazon Echo (and are happy with them) your decision might already be made.
Both the smart voice assistants for Google and Amazon work well with other smart device brands and most likely will continue to “play nice” with 3rd parties in the future. Currently Amazon’s Alexa works with more smart devices but Google continues to grow in compatibility.
If you plan to use your Amazon Echo Show or Google Home Hub mostly for entertainment purposes consider Amazon offers their Prime Video and Google has Youtube. There is also YouTube Music or Amazon Prime Music. If you lean one way or another for your video and music choices your decision just got a little easier as well 🙂
Want to see more smart home battles? Click here for the complete listing.
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