Google Home Review
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- The Good
- Easy to use and setup
- Compatible with a variety of automation devices
- Long list of extras
- The Bad
- Media must be through Google Play
Google Home is a wireless speaker designed to deliver music and audio seamlessly throughout your home. The Google Home connected wireless speaker continues to grow and evolve as it changes with consumers’ demands and adds new functions and features that make it a desirable choice for home entertainment. Its stylish base complements any home decor, making it both fashionable and functional. The easy-to-use design and setup make the Google Home an attractive and less expensive option to other wireless speakers.
- Price
- $129
The device also features six free months of Google Play and YouTube Red, However, after six months, a $9.99 a month fee applies to use these commercial-free streaming services. Google Home’s price tag of $129 is moderately priced when it comes to other home automation hubs on the market. There are a few products that are more expensive and offer more features as well as others that are less expensive and not as easy to use, setup or operate. Google Home is the “middle of the road” price-wise when it comes to wireless speakers and the features it offers
- Control Integration
- Voice control
- App
- Voice differentiation for multiple users
Google Voice works much like Amazon Echo in that you control it with your voice. All you have to do is say “Hey Google” or “Ok Google” and then give it a command. Google also has an app that will allow you to set up your Google Home and change settings on it to make things easier.
- Compatible Products
- Smart Things
- Frigidaire
- Honeywell
- Lifx
- Wink
Google Home has worked to expand the number of compatible products in its arsenal, as during its launch it was only compatible with three smart home devices. Since the April 2017 re-launch, Google Home has expanded its compatible products to include Frigidaire, Honeywell, Lifx, Wink and several others. This means that more smart home devices, such as ovens, refrigerators, security systems, lighting and even sprinkler systems, are now compatible with Google Home, making it truly more than just a wireless speaker system.
- Additional Features
- Keep six Google accounts at once
- Get answers to questions
- Stream music
- Sync multiple Google Homes
Featuring the capability to keep six Google accounts at once, the Home device can keep track of each of these calendars, playlists and preferences as long as the user has a smartphone with the Google app installed. The device can also recognize and differentiate voices so you can personalize your preferences and account information. Google Home also has the ability to use speakers in multiple rooms to work in sync and play the same music. For example, if you’re having a party and want the music in the kitchen to match the music in the living room, Google Home has you covered. This is a feature that is not currently available from several of its competitors.
Google Home: User Reviews
Google Home: Comments
How Does Google Home Work?
Once you receive your Google Home, plug it into the wall. After a few minutes, the device will light up and start searching for your phone. Be aware that there is no on/off switch for the device, and that once it’s plugged in, it’s always “on.” You will next need to download the Google Home app from Google Play or the App Store, making sure to turn on location permission. Make sure your device is connected to our home’s WiFi, as this is what Google Home will connect to as well.
You will need a Google account in order to set up the Home device, which is as simple as heading to Gmail.com to set one up. Once you’ve signed in and set the location of your Google Home hardware, you can begin to link your music service. Google Home supports four music services: Google Play Music, YouTube, Spotify and Pandora.
Next, you’ll go through a quick tutorial, change your news preferences, and have Google Home call you before you add your home electronics. Once that’s completed, you’ll use the wake-up prompt “Okay, Google” to begin exploring the device.
What Makes Google Home Stand Out?
This device’s appearance immediately makes Google Home stand out from the crown. The round speaker with customized finishes make the Home look more like a pretty bookend than a wireless speaker. Compared to other, more utilitarian speakers on the market, the thoughtful design of the Google Home certainly makes it stand out.
Common Reviews of Google Home
Reviewers have stated that the April 2017 re-launch of Google Home has remedied many of the concerns that plagued its 2016 debut. The biggest improvement has been the addition of third-party skills, although the device still has a long way to go before it catches up to other devices currently on the market. Reviewers also state that the device is easy to use but may require very specific phrasing of questions in order for it to understand your query. Some reviewers have also noted that the sound quality can be a bit anemic in large rooms but that the sound is warm in moderately sized spaces. Other reviewers noted that they were not impressed that the device could not read or respond to emails, especially since this was a Google-based product.
Is Google Home For Me?
If you are looking for an introduction to voice-controlled devices in your home, Google Home is an affordable choice. Customers that are already familiar with Google’s platform through their mail or search services will be pleased that the search engine powerhouse will not disappoint when answering your many questions. Customers that are also looking for a sleek design that is unobtrusive in their home decor will find Google Home a pleasant choice in wireless speakers.
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