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Which one you decide to go with may well depend on which you personally prefer and what kind of products you're using than which is technically 'better'. As we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. The Echo Dot and the Dot with Clock both retain the iconic color-changing LED status ring around their base. It adds a bit of interest, but also makes the Echo Dot more noticeable with its dazzling and mesmerizing glow whenever it’s accessed. The Echo Dot with Clock can serve as a good bedside companion, given its auto-adjust display and display of the time.
Plus, their modern design blends easily with your home decor, especially the Google Home Mini. Though it’s available in two colors — Black and White, you can accessorize this plain look with fabric covers.
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Apple’s smart speaker comes in yellow, orange, blue, white and Space Gray, giving it the most color options out of the bunch — and certainly the boldest. If you want a smart speaker that can truly stand out in your setup, the newer yellow, orange and blue options are especially worth looking at. It took us about 10 seconds to pair two Nest Audio devices and assign them as separate left and right speakers, creating a more immersive stereo mix with minimal hassle. Because of the speaker configurations inside the Echo Dot, it sounds better than the Nest Mini. And as far as music, they're both pretty comparable to each other.
She has been working for Guiding Tech since 2017 and has around five years of experience writing features, how-tos, buying guides, and explainers. Previously she worked as an IT Analyst at TCS, but she found her calling elsewhere. At the end of the day, it also depends on how many features have been enabled in your region as well. However, if you are looking for a device that helps you in getting information easily and keeps your morning brief ready as you’d like it, the Google Home Mini is the right device for you. Plus, the option of seamlessly integrating multiple Google services adds to the list of pros. Drop in is available only in the United States and Canada at the time of writing.
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Moreover, the added touch input gives an extra edge to this AI-powered speaker. Unlike the Echo Dot, the top of the Google Home Mini is covered with textured fabric and is available in three colors — Chalk, Charcoal, and Coral. Priced at a little lower than $50, these speakers can raise your productivity with their wide range of built-in features and add-ons. The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
On the contrary, the Mini can still sound mellow even when the volume is maximum. When it comes to productivity, the Google Home Mini has plenty of tricks. For instance, you can get the timings of nearby shops or banks. Moreover, it can double up as a remote when you’re watching your favorite Netflix shows. Overall, their small size lets you place them anywhere in the room.
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The device has an option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. As the brainchild of Google, Google Assistant excels at general search and information requests. It’s the equivalent of using Google instead of Bing or Yahoo for search. As well, the Assistant is better at understanding more complex queries and strings of commands; with Alexa, you need to dictate one command at a time. And, despite its looks, the Echo Show sounds better than the Echo Plus and Echo, though not so dramatically as to forgive it some of its other failings. There's no right or wrong approach really – Google's is simpler, but Alexa's encourages faster and broader development and support from third-parties.
This grouping makes these speakers double up as a broadcaster or an intercom system. This feature in Alexa goes by the name of Drop in, while Google simply names it as Broadcast. This mode lets users cast their content directly to the Mini without connecting to Wi-Fi. It comes in handy when you don’t want to share your primary Wi-Fi password.
So for example, I can say, Hey Google, move music to the kitchen. Now, unfortunately, as of right now, you can't do that with your Echo device. Instead of the traditional hockey puck look, it's now a ball with a flat, rubber bottom to keep it from sliding.
As you might imagine, the base software works similarly on the devices, especially for simple functions like setting timers. Controlling them from your mobile device is where the differences tend to show up. Alexa is slightly more user-friendly, hiding its more powerful features in submenus, while Google Home tends to lay all your options out in front of you more directly. AirPlay allows wireless connection of Apple devices with external screens or speakers. You may stream computer screen, video and music from iOS devices, play games like on consoles or present your slideshows easily on your TV.
But as far as the device hardware, the Echo Dot did get an upgrade this year, where the Nest Mini is still running on 2019 hardware. When it comes to music providers, both of these devices support the major streaming services. While both sound much better than you may expect given the small size, you can only get so much volume out of such a tiny package.
Google’s version is a bit more cookie-cutter, helpful prompts make it easy for beginners. Yet, Google Assistant also offers more complex custom Routine options. Smart home routines connect a variety of settings for smart devices under a single command. It’s a great way to prepare a smart house for the morning, set the mood for an evening dinner, get the family ready for bed, and a lot more…all you have to do is set them up.
Check out our roundup of things Google Assistant can do for more info, or head to the Google Assistant partners page for all the brands Google Home can work with. Both home automation devices must be connected to power full time, unless you use a third-party battery dock. The Echo Dot connects to its power supply with a barrel connector, while the Google Home Mini uses a USB power supply. Check out these 11 voice-activated smart home products that will revolutionize your life. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.
We found the HomePod Mini especially easy to set up with our iPhone, thanks to a quick pairing process that only took about three minutes. Alexa, on the other hand, relies on the installation of skills – individual, app-like sets of related voice commands focussing on certain topics or abilities. Handled and activated through the Alexa app on smartphones, these can range from getting information on local transport times, or to activating voice-controlled games. Sure, it’s a step up from your phone’s speakers, but not a match for a decent, dedicated Bluetooth speaker. For the Nest Mini, Google Nest doubled the bass and made it possible for the speaker to adjust its volume based on the level of background noise in the room.
While it’s a subtle difference, you’ll notice how the Google Home Mini seamlessly blends into your existing decor. For these reasons, you want to be sure you’re making the right choice. If you're going for pure sonic superiority between the Echo and Google Home ranges however, opt for the Google Home Max.
The Echo works with almost every smart home device and platform, with Nest Audio right behind it, and finally, the HomePod Mini’s deep integration with Apple makes it a must-have for any iPhone user. It’s also worth considering factors such as sound quality and space — the Echo will get the loudest, while the HomePod Mini will fit easiest into any setup. Not only does it allow you to use Siri for voice commands and interactions, but a HomePod Mini doubles as a HomeKit Hub.
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