在这个大逃杀的世界里，有一个比所有其他人都脱颖而出：Google Home、Amazon Alexa和Apple HomePod的永无止境的较量。
这三款智能助手主导着市场，每一款都声称自己做得最好——而且这三款都声称是您家的正确选择。但是哪一个真的做得最好，哪一个给你最大的收益呢？
我们将了解这三种设备的功能、它们的各种型号、不同的价格点等等，以帮助您做出决定。
谷歌主页
Google Home可能是助手中“最聪明的”，至少在向它提问和得到答案方面是这样。Google Home可连接来自 150 多个品牌的 5,000 多台设备。
智能助手有四种不同的型号。
谷歌家庭迷你(Google
Home Mini)
Google Home Mini是 Google 智能助手中体积最小、价格最实惠的一款。事实上，它经常以 30 美元的价格出售。如果您刚开始使用智能家居技术，或者(home technology—or)您只需要在另一个房间配备智能助手，那么Google Home Mini非常值得。
扬声器不像更昂贵的产品那样响亮或高品质，并带有独特的细小声音，但如果您对音频质量不挑剔，它的声音足以填满整个房间。(t picky)还有多种颜色可供选择，因此您一定能找到适合您空间外观和感觉的设备。(look and feel)
谷歌主页(Google
Home)
Google Home是Google生产的原始智能家居助手。售价129 美元，与圆形按钮状(Priced)Mini相比，它具有更好的音质和更时尚的外观。它的声音更大，整体基线要好得多，但功能与Mini相同。
Google Home有多种颜色可供选择，但也具有空气清新剂(air freshener)的美感。虽然有些人喜欢这种外观，但并不适合所有人。
谷歌家庭最大(Google
Home Max)
到目前为止，Google Home Max是列表中最昂贵的选择，但这是有充分理由的。谷歌(Google)把其他设备的所有功能都塞进了Max中，但添加了任何发烧友都会喜欢的扬声器。
如果您打算将Google Home主要用作播放音乐的一种方式，那么Max可能是您的正确选择。它拥有双 4.5 英寸低音扬声器和清晰的高音扬声器，以保持高音高音和低音音低。
评论说市场上没有其他扬声器听起来像Google Home Max一样好。该设备甚至看起来像一个扬声器。对于只想控制智能家居的普通人来说，
Max可能比你需要的更多——但对于任何热爱音乐的人来说，
Max就在家里。
谷歌家庭中心(Google
Home Hub)
在所有可用的Google Home设备中，Home Hub将是我们首选的智能家居设备(home device)。它拥有Mini、Home和Max的所有功能，但还添加了其他东西：屏幕。Google Home Hub配备触摸屏显示器，可让您直观地访问Google相册(Google Photos)、Google 地图(Google Maps)和一系列智能家居控件。
当家里有人不积极使用时，家庭集线器(Home Hub)可以用作数码相框。您可以观看YouTube、查找食谱等等。作为家庭的核心——特别是在厨房，一步一步的食谱说明最有用——
家庭中心(Home Hub)是无与伦比的。
售价 149 美元，是Max价格的一半，仅比基本的Google Home 助手(Google Home assistant)多 20 美元。它的多功能功能、简洁的外观以及与
Nest Hello等智能家居设备的集成使其成为任何想要升级家居的人的可靠选择。
亚马逊回声
在智能家居控制方面，(home control)亚马逊 Echo与(Amazon Echo)Google Home势均力敌，但在一个领域尤其擅长：购物。由于Echo是亚马逊(Amazon)的财产，用户可以通过智能助手直接订购产品。Amazon Echo有四种不同的版本。
亚马逊回声点(Amazon
Echo Dot)
Amazon Echo Dot是亚马逊的 Google Home Mini 的模拟产品(Google Home Mini)。该设备是基本Amazon Echo(Amazon Echo)的更小但功能齐全的版本。像Echo一样，它响应Alexa（或Echo）。Echo Dot
可以播放音乐、在电视上启动您最喜欢的节目、控制您的灯光等等。
亚马逊将(Amazon)Dot推销为“支持Alexa ”的蓝牙扬声器(Bluetooth speaker)。该设备最初是Alexa的家，但亚马逊(Amazon)后来更加关注扬声器方面(speaker aspect)。您可以在一个空间内将两个Dots配对以获得立体声(stereo sound)，或者您可以使用 3.5毫米音频线(mm audio cable)将您自己的扬声器连接到设备。
亚马逊回声(Amazon
Echo)
Echo是最初的智能助手。虽然在此之前可能已经存在其他设备，但没有一款设备能像Echo(Echo)那样流行。
它具有与Dot相同的功能，但具有更好的硬件和更美观的外壳。如果这听起来很熟悉，那是因为该系统就像Google Home 的系统，或者(Google Home—or)Google Home(Google Home)就像Amazon Echo的系统。
Amazon Echo利用杜比技术为其扬声器供电，并在360 度区域内均匀分布音频。(distribute audio)七个(Seven)内置麦克风意味着Echo可以从任何地方听到您的声音，即使正在播放音乐。
亚马逊回声加(Amazon
Echo Plus)
Echo Plus相当于亚马逊的
Google Home Max(Google Home Max)。Echo Plus内置 3 英寸低音扬声器和 0.8 英寸高音扬声器，拥有所有Echo设备
中最强的音频功能，但不如Google Home Max强大。然而，Echo Plus的(Echo Plus)价格(price point)仅为 119 美元，只需花费
一小部分成本即可提供中级声音。
您还可以将 3.5毫米音频线(mm audio cable)插入Echo Plus，并将其用作扬声器来播放其他设备的音乐，这是其他Echo设备所没有的功能。Echo Plus只有三种颜色可供选择：木炭(Charcoal)、砂岩(Sandstone)和石南灰(Heather Grey)。
亚马逊回声秀(Amazon
Echo Show)
Amazon Echo Show是(Amazon Echo Show)Echo 系列(Echo lineup)的最新成员。Echo Show有一个 10.1 英寸的触摸屏，可让您流式传输直播电视、Hulu、查看食谱以及查看您的 Amazon Music 收藏中的专辑封面。但是，您应该注意，由于亚马逊和谷歌(Amazon and Google)之间的竞争，它没有YouTube。
您可以将Echo Show连接到智能门铃并查看谁在门口，还可以传输双向音频。Echo Show 还具有视频和免提通话功能，这是Google Home所缺乏的。
苹果 HomePod
Apple HomePod是苹果进军智能(Apple HomePod)助理市场(assistant market)的尝试，但在竞争中表现不佳。目前，HomePod只有一个型号。
HomePod有(HomePod)两种颜色：黑色和白色。虽然HomePod确实是一个智能助手(smart assistant)，但它主要是一个扬声器。它有六个用于语音检测(voice detection)的内置麦克风，这意味着无论你打开多大的音乐， Siri都应该能够听到你的声音。
它还有七个号角高音扬声器和一个高冲程低音扬声器(high-excursion woofer)。谈到音频质量， HomePod(HomePod)很难被击败。它甚至可以让Google Home Max物有所值。
Siri 没有与(Siri doesn)Alexa 或 Google(Alexa or Google)相同的功能。虽然她可以搜索问题的答案，但她通常只向网站提供搜索结果(search result)。
智能家居(Smart home)兼容性也有限。虽然大多数主要品牌都可以使用Siri（在您设置应用程序之后），但一些比较不知名的品牌可能会带来问题。
Apple HomeKit为安排例程提供了有趣的选项，但您不需要HomePod。除非您正在寻找具有真正惊人音质的智能(sound quality)家居助手(home assistant)，否则iPhone 或 iPad 将提供与HomePod相同的智能家居控制(home control)。
比较助手
我们将首先这样说：如果您想要出色的音质并且不担心智能家居技术(home technology)，请选择
HomePod。它擅长音频，但在其他任何地方都没有。如果您想要两者的混合，那么它可以归结为Amazon Echo 和 Google Home 设备(Amazon Echo and Google Home devices)。
回声功能(Echo
Functionality)
所有Amazon Echo设备均由
Alexa提供支持。目前，Alexa拥有超过 50,000 个技能，并且每天都在增加。您甚至可以使用技能蓝图(Skill Blueprints)创建自己的Alexa 技能(Alexa Skills)，这些易于使用的模板允许您设置与特定短语相关的一系列命令。
缺点在于实际上与
Alexa交谈。很多更新都提高了她声音的整体质量和她可以回答的问题的范围，但Alexa听起来仍然明显是机器人。如果你问一个问题，她不会记得上一个问题。例如，如果你问“ Alexa，2018 年的第一部电影是什么？” (number one)她会给你正确的答案（顺便说一下，是黑豹(Black Panther)。）但是如果你跟进并问，“谁(Who)是主角？” 她会很困惑。
谷歌功能(Google
Functionality)
Google Home易于设置和安装，但它附带的技能就是您所获得的。Google没有与Alexa相同的(Alexa)技能(Skills) 蓝图(Blueprints)，这意味着您无法创建自定义(create custom)
命令。
另一方面，与Google交谈
听起来更自然。谷歌语音(Google voice)有更自然的变化。Google
还会记住您之前提出的问题。重用上面的例子，如果你问“谁(Who)是主角(leader actor)？” 谷歌(Google)会以“Chadwick Boseman”作为回应。
屏幕或无屏幕？(Screens
or No Screens?)
如果没有其他情况，请选择带屏幕的设备之一。它将智能助手的整体功能扩展到前所未有的水平，使其成为您日常工作的一部分。
Amazon Echo Show和Google Home Hub上的音质可能(sound quality)不是HomePod的水平，但听听设备说什么，听一些(HomePod)背景音乐(background music)就绰绰有余了。
建议书
总而言之，Amazon Echo Show是最物超所值的。虽然比Google Home Hub 贵(Google Home Hub)，但它还具有更广泛的功能。
两者都可以显示食谱，都可以播放音乐，但Echo Show可让您购物、访问您的日历，甚至创建自定义命令以满足您的需求。
The Most Versatile Smart Assistant in 2019
In this world of battle royales, there is one that stands out above all the others: the nevеr-ending contest of the Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomePod.
The three smart assistants dominate the market, each one claiming to the best at what it does—and all three claim to be the right choice for your home. But which one really does the best job, and which one gives you the most bang for your buck?
We’re going to take a look at the
functionality of all three devices, their various models, different prices
points, and more to help you make that decision.
Google Home
The Google Home is perhaps the
“smartest” of the assistants, at least in terms of asking it questions
and receiving an answer in return. Google Home connects with more than 5,000
devices from over 150 brands.
There are four different models of the
smart assistant.
Google
Home Mini
The Google Home Mini is the smallest and
most affordable of Google’s smart assistants. In fact, it often goes on sale
for $30. If you’re just starting out with smart home technology—or you just
need a smart assistant in another room—the Google Home Mini is well worth it.
The speaker is not as loud or as
high-quality as the more expensive offerings and comes with a distinct tinny
sound, but it is perfectly loud enough to fill a room if you aren’t picky about
audio quality. There are also multiple color options, so you’re sure to find a
device that fits the look and feel of your space.
Google
Home
The Google Home is the original smart home
assistant that Google produced. Priced at $129, it has better sound quality and
a more sleek look than the round, button-like Mini. It’s louder and has a much
better baseline overall, but has the same functionality as the Mini.
The Google Home comes in multiple colors,
but also has the aesthetic of an air freshener. While some people like the
look, it isn’t for everyone.
Google
Home Max
The Google Home Max is by far the most expensive option on the list, but for good reason. Google took all of the functionality of the other devices and stuffed it into the Max, but added speakers any audiophile will love.
If you intend to use Google Home mostly as a way to play music, the Max might be the right option for you. It boasts dual 4.5″ woofers and has clear tweeters to keep the high notes high and the low notes low.
Reviews say that no other speaker on the
market sounds as good as the Google Home Max. The device even looks like a
speaker. For the average person that only wants to control a smart home, the
Max might be more than you need—but for anyone with a deep love of music, the
Max will be right at home.
Google
Home Hub
Of all the available Google Home devices,
the Home Hub would be our primary pick for a smart home device. It boasts all
the functionality of the Mini, the Home, and the Max, but adds something else
to the mix: a screen. The Google Home Hub is equipped with a touch screen
display that gives you visual access to Google Photos, Google Maps, and a host
of smart home controls.
The Home Hub can be used as a digital photo
frame when not actively in use by someone in the home. You can watch YouTube,
look up recipes, and much more. As a centerpiece in the home—particularly in
the kitchen, where the step-by-step recipe instructions are most useful—the
Home Hub is without peer.
At $149, it’s half the price of the Max and
only $20 more than the basic Google Home assistant. Its versatile
functionality, clean look, and integration with smart home devices like the
Nest Hello make it a solid choice for anyone that wants to upgrade their home.
Amazon Echo
The Amazon Echo is evenly matched against
the Google Home when it comes to smart home control, but excels in one area in
particular: shopping. Because the Echo is a property of Amazon, users can order
products directly through the smart assistant. There are four different
versions of the Amazon Echo.
Amazon
Echo Dot
The Amazon Echo Dot is Amazon’s analog of
the Google Home Mini. The device is a smaller—yet fully featured—version of the
basic Amazon Echo. Like the Echo, it answers to Alexa (or Echo.) The Echo Dot
can play music, start up your favorite show on the television, control your
lights, and much more.
Amazon markets the Dot as an
“Alexa-enabled” Bluetooth speaker. The device started out as a home
for the Alexa, but Amazon has since put more focus on the speaker aspect. You
can pair two Dots together for stereo sound within a space, or you can use a
3.5 mm audio cable to connect your own speakers to the device.
Amazon
Echo
The Echo is the original smart assistant. While other devices may have existed before it, none caught on with the same level of popularity as the Echo.
It has the same functionality of the Dot, but with better hardware and a more aesthetic case. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the system is just like that of the Google Home—or perhaps the Google Home is just like that of the Amazon Echo.
The Amazon Echo makes use of Dolby
technology to power its speakers and distribute audio evenly over a 360-degree
area. Seven built-in microphones mean the Echo can hear you from anywhere, even
if music is playing.
Amazon
Echo Plus
The Echo Plus is Amazon’s equivalent to the
Google Home Max. Built with a 3″ woofer and a 0.8″ tweeter, the Echo
Plus has the most audio capability of any of the Echo devices, but is not as
powerful as the Google Home Max. However, with a price point of just $119, the
Echo Plus gives mid-level sound for a fraction of the cost.
You can also run a 3.5 mm audio cable into
the Echo Plus and use it as a speaker to play music from another device, a
feature that none of the other Echo devices have. The Echo Plus only has three
color options: Charcoal, Sandstone, and Heather Grey.
Amazon
Echo Show
The Amazon Echo Show is the newest addition
to the Echo lineup. The Echo Show has a 10.1″ touchscreen that lets you
stream live TV, Hulu, check out recipes, and see album art from your Amazon
Music collection. You should note, however, that it does not have YouTube due
to the rivalry between Amazon and Google.
You can connect the Echo Show to a smart
doorbell and see who’s at the door, and also stream two-way audio. The Echo
Show also has video and hands-free calling, something the Google Home lacks.
Apple HomePod
The Apple HomePod is Apple’s attempt to get
into the smart assistant market, but doesn’t quite stack up to the competition.
At present, there is only a single model available for the HomePod.
The HomePod comes in two colors: black and white. While the HomePod does work as a smart assistant, it’s primarily a speaker. It has six built-in microphones for voice detection, which means Siri should be able to hear you no matter how loud you have the music turned up.
It also has seven horn-loaded tweeters and a high-excursion woofer. When it comes to audio quality, it’s hard to beat the HomePod. It gives even the Google Home Max a run for its money.
Siri doesn’t have the same functionality as either Alexa or Google. While she can search for answers to questions, she usually only provides a website with a search result.
Smart home compatibility is also limited. While most of the major name brands will work with Siri (after you set up the apps), some of the more obscure brands might pose a problem.
Apple HomeKit provides interesting options
for scheduling routines, but you don’t need a HomePod for that. Unless you are
looking for a smart home assistant that has truly amazing sound quality, an iPhone
or iPad will give the same smart home control a HomePod will.
Comparing the Assistants
We’ll start by saying this: if you want
great sound quality and aren’t worried about smart home technology, go for the
HomePod. It excels at audio, but doesn’t add up anywhere else. If you want a
mix of the two, then it boils down between Amazon Echo and Google Home devices.
Echo
Functionality
All Amazon Echo devices are powered by
Alexa. At present, Alexa has more than 50,000 Skills, with more added every
day. You can even create your own Alexa Skills with the Skill Blueprints,
easy-to-use templates that allow you to set up a series of commands tied to a
specific phrase.
The downside lies in actually speaking with
Alexa. A lot of updates have improved both the overall quality of her voice and
the range of questions she can answer, but Alexa still sounds distinctly
robotic. If you ask a question, she won’t remember the previous question. For
example, if you ask, “Alexa, what was the number one film of 2018?”
she will give you the proper answer (it’s Black Panther, by the way.) But if
you follow up and ask, “Who was the leading actor?” she will be
confused.
Google
Functionality
The Google Home is easy to set up and
install, but the skills it comes with are what you get. Google does not have
the same Skills Blueprints that Alexa does, which means you can’t create custom
commands.
On the other hand, speaking with Google
sounds much more natural. The Google voice has more natural inflection. Google
will also remember the questions you’ve asked previously. To reuse the above
example, if you asked “Who was the leader actor?” Google would
respond with “Chadwick Boseman.”
Screens
or No Screens?
If there are no other circumstances, go for one of the devices with a screen. It expands the overall functionality of the smart assistant to never-before-seen levels that will make it a part of your routine.
The sound quality on the Amazon Echo Show and the Google Home Hub may not be the level of the HomePod, but it’s more than enough to hear what the devices say and listen to some background music.
The Recommendation
When all is said and done, the Amazon Echo Show is the most bang for your buck. While pricier than the Google Home Hub, it also has a much broader range of functionality.
Both can show recipes, both can play music, but the Echo Show lets you shop, access your calendar, and even create custom commands to fit need you may have of it.
