At times, we compile our list of daily chores and activities to be performed by us. From cleaning house, cooking food to order food and make phone calls-our daily schedule revolves around various activities.So here’s a chance of breaking your day to day monotony and focus on efficient living.Saving time plus making your life-a bit interactive and convenient!
In the world of artificial intelligence and augmented reality, there are many chances you must have heard of Google Home, Amazon Echo and Apple HomePod, the voice-activated smart speakers – the ones capable enough to transform your life.
Now, the question is: What is a smart assistant?
Like Google Assistant or Siri on our smartphones, the voice-activated smart speakers work. The only thing that differs is these powered speakers comprises of voice-activated assistants that turn your home into an automated, voice activated and app-controlled hub center.
All you need is a power source and internet connection! With requirements met these speakers can act as voice-controlled music players, news readers, and personal search engines.
Now, let us discuss the working.
These next-generation smart speakers are activated using voice commands, which wakes up the inbuilt virtual assistant.For example, Amazon Echo is activated using “Alexa”, Google Home uses “Hey Google” or “OK Google” and “Hey Siri” for Apple Homepod.
Some third-party devices available in the market like Sony’s LF-S50G Smart Speaker use Google’s software, so is operated in the same way like it is for Home.
After activating the speakers, a range of activities and work can be taken by them. All the three assistants discussed above have been programmed in such a way that they can understand the unique dialect, accent, and slang terms, thus, ensuring no loss of information.
Here’s an answer to your question!
At times, Smart assistants can answer your general questions. This turns out to be an amazing feature, a virtual companion kind of thing is always available to solve your queries and make your life easier at most of the times. A dictionary, a calculator, a nutritionist or translator altogether!
Q. Alexa, what is the capital of India
A. The capital of India is New Delhi.
Often, talking on a practical note, if at times you struggle to keep connected on top of things, this turns out to be an important device as it gives the brief idea about daily activities. A simple command for all the information from reminders to weather.
Q. OK Google: What’s my day looking like?
A. Good Morning, Fred. The weather in Shimla is 8 degree at the moment.You have got an appointment in Cafe Shimla Times scheduled at 10 am.
You can also add a little bit of fun using these devices.
Q. OK Google, What does a Duck sound like?
A. Qu-ua-ck.
Q. OK Google, Will you marry me?
A. Aww.
So, it is your turn to have some fun.
Talking about the next feature, it allows you to control your home!
All the major smart speakers’ manufacturers have joined hands in collaboration with makers of products for the smart home. A one-tap network to connect and control Wi-Fi operated lights and other smart devices. Though smart lights cost around $85(average) there are many companies offering a premium and expensive range.There are options to control the TV set using Chromecast or Apple TV plugged into the HDMI port.
There’s a whole wide list of compatible devices that can be controlled using these speakers.
Buying more than one speakers allow the user to set-up multi-room audio systems-same broadcast across all the speakers set up in your home. A perfect center of attraction!
A care has to be taken that devices like Google Home and Amazon Echo can work with any device but Apple’s Homepod works with an iOS-enabled device only.
Let’s consider security now!
The best advice given to all the users is to ensure the security of the home network and device by keeping them up-to-date with the latest software and proper internet connection.The same is required to prevent hacking of the device. Also, at times we hear the news of recording and uploading of commands and search history to the servers of Google and Amazon, but it can be easily deleted in the smartphones at any time, thus ensuring complete security.
There must be a doubt popping into everyone’s head: Should I buy one?
So, here’s the answer! To be honest, initially, I used to doubt the security, usability, and utility of these speakers but when I tried them myself, they served the purpose and has been worth the investment. I have been using them for months now and haven’t looked back as they have made my life easier. I have used them to set timers when baking, to play music when I’m cleaning the house or taking my beauty bath and change the color of lights depending on the mood.A proper setting! Even it is doing wonders for my parents, who at times are slightly hesitant to cope with the latest technology as they can easily broadcast the orders and order products using voice assistant.
While buying any of the products in the market don’t forget to check the reviews!
Last but not the least, let’s talk about the pricing!
The given below is the list of products with their market prices :
a)SONY LF-650G — $267
b)GOOGLE HOME — $229
c)AMAZON ECHO DOT — $89.99
d)AMAZON ECHO — $179.99
e)APPLE HOMEPOD — $534
f)GOOGLE HOME MINI — $85
The ball is always in your hand ! Target the right shot !