Amazon went all out with actors Alec Baldwin and Jason Schwartzman endorsing its new Amazon Echo. Now Google has its own response to everyone who was looking to ask “Alexa” for help and has launched its own standalone device dubbed Google Home.
Google Home is a small, white speaker that sits on a modular base that comes in a variety of colors to match the décor of its owner’s home.
By simply saying “Ok, Google,” the new speaker can do a variety of tasks, including playing songs and podcasts from various services with a simple voice command. And when paired with a Google Chromecast, Google Home can play YouTube videos and episodes on the owner’s television screen. Google Home can also sync with other speakers in a home to emit sound in multiple rooms.
Google Home will have many of the same options as Amazon Echo, including alarms, weather and traffic info, tracking flight information, and the ability to complete many other daily tasks as long as it has its owner’s permission to do so.
Google’s answer to Amazon’s trailblazing Echo will be available starting later this year. Pricing information hasn’t been released yet.