(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Google Home is expected to be released later this year with no word yet on an exact release date or price.
Google just unveiled its voice-activated home device that would compete against Amazon’s Alexa-powered Echo during its annual I/O conference on Wednesday.
The device is simply called Google Home, and it is able to answer questions and follow basic voice commands from users. It allows users to control thermostats and other third-party apps through voice commands.
In order to get Google Home started, Google has partnered with a bunch of services like Spotify, Uber, WhatsApp, Ticketmaster, Tunein, MyTaxi, Pandora and OpenTable, according to TechCrunch.
It’s expected that these services will be fully supported by Google Home when the device launches.
For example, a user may ask Google Home to book an Uber ride or perhaps get concert tickets from Ticketmaster.
(Photo : Google Home)
The device will only be fully functional if users link their Google account. At launch, Google Home will only be able to support a single account, but the company is hoping to bring multiple account support in the near future, according to The Verge.
The device itself is very much like the Amazon Echo. It’s basically a small speaker that comes with a virtual assistant that’s quite akin to Alexa or Apple’s Siri.
Users can take advantage of the Google Assistant by asking it questions, and it will provide users with answers. Users can also ask follow-up questions if the Google Assistant’s answers don’t suffice.
The assistant is also able to keep track of a user’s schedule and provide information right before the users leaves their home.
Like the Echo, users can also play music with the device from the cloud or from streaming services. Unsurprisingly, it also comes with support for Google Cast and Chromecast.
Google Home also functions as a hub where users can link all their connected devices like lights and small appliances, according to Engadget.
Google Home will be released later this year. Google showed off the device this early so that third-party developers have time to play around with its capabilities before it launches.
Google has not provided information on how much the device will cost.
