The push to get Google Assistant everywhere continues in 2018.
A view years ago digital assistant or voice assistant weren’t anything practical, it was just a fun gadget to have. But in 2017 the voice assistant starting to take over. For example Alexa became so popular and it could be installed in third party products. This year 2018 Google want to push, “Hey Google,” which is a pretty good indication for Google Assistant. Google want to push back on the Amazon Alexa narrative at CES the past couple years, because Alexa completely dominated CES in 2017. That is the reason why Google make a big splash this year.
Amazon and Google have historically been two major names that you’d barely notice at trade shows, as their hardware businesses have been secondary to their software services. Today the smart assistant and smart home are everywhere. They are built in fridges to retail environments, and even transportation will likely be involved and as we now in smartphones. Both companies expand their range of “skills” and “actions” to enable us to do more.
Google is using CES to keep the pressure on Amazon going forward. The company announce new partnerships with third-party hardware makers. Amazon has been doing that with Alexa for a while now, but it’s relatively new territory for the Assistant. Given the huge range of companies here in Vegas, it’s a sure bet that many of them will be highlighting how they’re putting Google’s smarts into their products.
The smart assistant with the biggest product catalog and widest range of features is the one that will surely come out on top.
To see which is the best and most interesting products that boast Alexa and/or Google Assistant support is listed below:
Amazon Alexa
- Garmin Speak Plus — a dash cam that not only records your drive but also offers collision and lane departure warnings, as well as Alexa support for music, weather, and traffic updates from inside your vehicle.
- Roav Viva — a Bluetooth car kit developed by Anker that offers Alexa controls and fast charging inside your car.
- Vuzix AR glasses — augmented reality and Alexa combined in one. Vuzix glasses can display maps, sports scores, and much more. You just have to ask Alexa out loud.
- HiSense TVs — access built-in apps like Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube, TikiLIVE using voice commands on the third largest TV manufacturer’s 2018 4K lineup.
- Kohler Konnect — smart shower, bathtub, mirrors and toilers that are all connected? Check. Control them with a dedicated app or via voice Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
- Windows 10 laptops – Amazon has struck a deal with Microsoft, Acer, ASUS, HP, and Lenovo to pre-install Alexa on Windows laptops scheduled for release in 2018.
- Toyota and Lexus – Alexa will be making its way to Toyota’s Entune 3.0 and Lexus Enform 2.0 systems this year, with many more models coming in 2019.
Google Assistant
- Smart Displays – rivalling the Amazon Echo Show, Google is partnering with JBL, LG, and Sony to develop home hubs with built in displays. Lenovo has also shown-off two of its smart display hubs.
- iHome iGV1 — a Google Assistant-powered alarm clock with a dimmable dot-matrix display. It also features all the familiar Bluetooth music casting options from the Google Home.
- SŌLIS SO-2000 – if you’re looking for a smart alarm clock, the SŌLIS SO-2000 will be arriving in mid-2018 for $169.99.
- Haier Android TVs — Haier’s 2018 FHD and 4K range will be powered by Android TV, building on its success with Chromecast-enabled sets. This offers familiar services like Netflix, Play Store access, and YouTube, alone with integrated Google Assistant.
- LG ThinQ TVs — offering a selection of third party voice assistants, as well as the company’s of DeepThinQ AI to offer home hub functions directly from your TV remote. Also supports Alexa, and LG’s ThinQ Speaker boasts Assistant support too.
- Schlage Smart Lock — secure your home and check the locked status of your door with voice commands. Already supports Alexa and Apple HomeKit.
- Gourmia kitchen appliances — the company unveiled four kitchen appliances that can all be setup and controlled via Google Assistant. There’s an air fryer, pressure cooker, sous vide & multi cooker, and a coffee maker to put in your IoT kitchen.
- Automotive via Android Auto – Google Assistant will be integrated into Android Auto in the near future, bringing smart controls to over 400 models from 40 manufacturers.
- JBL Everest headphones – Assistant integration across over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear Bluetooth headphones with long lasting battery life and premium sound. We also went hands-on with the company’s Link View smart speaker.
- Zolo Model Zero – Anker unveiled a stylish smart speaker under its Zolo sub-brand name. But it won’t be available until Fall 2018.
- Dish – Dish Network boxes will support Assistant voice commands laster in 2018. The company’s Hopper, Joey, and Wally boxes will receive the update.
And the winner is „Hey Google“
Google has made an appearance in a huge number of products and it has greatly improved its profile as well. That being said for Alexa, because Alexa is also increasing its presence in products too and a surprising number of manufactures are actually supporting both platforms in a bid to reach as many consumers as possible.
Conclusion:
But rather than that its not like that, that Google Assistant is going to come out on top over 2018. It’s just because the company’s huge presence at CES 2018 in Las Vegas underlines how much work Google still has to catch up with Alexa in terms on install base. Consumer momentum is right now clearly with Amazon, but the low-priced Home Mini has undeniably made Google Assistant a serious competitor to Alexa — not to mention the fact that it’s baked into most modern Android phones now. The presence of Assistant in a huge number of products at CES might just help to close the gap over the coming year.
