At Google I/O, the company’s developers conference, Google launched Google Home, it’s always-listening virtual assistant, which will be a direct competitor to the Amazon Echo.

There are some similarities between the devices, like the fact that both are able to control your thermostat’s temperature, stream your favorite songs, or add events to your calendars. Each device also has its own advantages that push it above its competitor.  

We look at how the expected features of the Google Home rack up against Amazon Echo and which unique features give it an edge over its competitor and vice versa.

Google Home integrates with Search

As Google Assistant will be connected to Google Search it will be able to provide smarter results based on your previous search history and what you have done in the past. Google will likely be able to leverage its broader range of services including Maps, Gmail, and Calendar to better anticipate your needs.   

Home is also better at handling follow-up questions, allowing you to ask a series of questions in succession before it actually gives you a response for each of them. A feature that Echo battles with.

Amazon Echo has a huge head-start

Amazon Echo has been around for two years and while reviewers weren’t too sure to begin with, it has gained in popularity and has been a surprise hit. While Amazon hasn’t released the number of units sold, estimates from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners put the figure at 3 million Amazon Echo units sold (PDF download) since it launched. Echo will continue to push ahead over the next few months too, considering you can’t actually buy a Home yet.  

Over the two years, the Echo has also been able to partner with a wide variety of third-party devices, allowing you to control everything from lights to thermostats to car tech — a list of integrations that developers are constantly adding to and which is likely to get longer before Google Home actually launches in the fall.

At this stage Google hasn’t been clear what third-party products the Home will work with; however, it is a list that will have to grow rapidly and constantly to remain competitive.

Google Home offers audio across multiple rooms in your house

Home will work with Google Cast, which will allow you to play music on any Google Cast speakers. You can choose to play music on a single speaker or Home, alternatively, you can play music on multiple devices if you have more than one Google Home or speaker in your house. If your TV has a Chromecast video streamer you will also be able to control it from Google Home.

On the other hand, Amazon Echo devices don’t sync with each other so you aren’t able to stream across multiple Echos scattered around your house.

Amazon Echo opened its API to developers

Opening its API to developers has allowed plenty of smart-home product makers to adopt the Echo and has created plenty of different ‘skills’ that seemed impossible when the Echo first launched.

At this stage, Google has not opened up its  API to developers. We will have to wait and see if this will change before launch or soon after.

With Google Home only due out in the fall, it is impossible to say which of the devices will be the front-runner until Home actually launches. With availability and price yet to be announced, make sure you sign up for Google Home updates if you want to be notified ahead of time.

Images via: Google