Google announces Amazon Echo competitor, a smart speaker called Google Home

As expected, Google at its I/O developer conference has announced it own voice activated home assistant device called Google Home, to take on Amazon's Alexa. The small cylindrical shaped device is a speaker which is integrated with Google's new Assistant and supports Google Cast and select home automation devices.

Google Home features an always-listening microphones that can detect sound and you can communicate with the device via voice commands. With simple voice commands you can ask Google Home to play song, manage everyday task, check flight status, send texts, weather forecast, answer questions or turn off the lights of the room. The device recognizes 'Ok Google' voice command to initiate a search and offer the desired results.

Google Home is compatible with Google Play Music, and should also be compatible with other music services like Spotify. The device can also communicate with Google's Chromecast that's plugged to the TV, so you can command it to play YouTube videos or show search results on TV.

At the time of release, Google Home will work with a few home automation devices including thermostats and lighting including Nest. The device also comes with a range of modular cover so you can customize it and features LED light to let you know it is listening.

Google Home will launch later this year.  

Via