Google home/Alexa/other?

[SuperSange]

I'm thinking I might like one of those interactive home things to make shopping lists, play music, etc. Just basic stuff, no doing heating or lights or anything. Could anyone recommend one system over any other? I have Amazon Prime and music on my phone, so not sure if that would sway a decision. I'm not sure if either have any redeeming features that I don't know about. I'm a bit of a luddite, so if anyone replies, could it please be in layperson terms, not techspeak.

I've got a Google home and a home mini and they are great.

I think both the Google home and the Amazon echo do pretty much the same thing but if you already have Amazon Prime and Amazon music then I would probably plump for the Amazon echo.

I’m team Amazon here, really like my alexa and echo dot.

I'm no expert but for me I think it primarily boils down to which service you use the most. I'm an Amazon Prime subscriber and have their music service too so it made sense for me to go with Alexa. I've got 3 Echos around the house and use them a lot for streaming music. Other than that I only use them for basic things, though I find the one in the kitchen really useful for setting timers and doing conversions (e.g. how many grams in 20 ounces?).

Ah, a couple of things I hadn't thought of there. Do they read bedtime stories? It looks like an Alexa would be the right way to go.

Just had a little look; what would i need to buy? I'd want two downstairs and one up I think.

It depends what you want to use them for. If you're going to be listening to music I'd go with the standard echo which is discounted from £90 down to £55 right now on Amazon UK. The Dot is cheaper but the speaker is not as good - it's currently discounted from £50 down to £30. If you're a prime member you can also pay them over 5 months interest free. Don't forget that they run over WiFi so check you've got a decent signal in the areas you hope to put them before you buy.

I have a google Home. I play amazon prime though it via Bluetooth from my phone. The sound is really good. The kids have Minis in their room so I can broadcast messages to them.

Do they read bedtime stories?

Never tried it before but I just asked Alexa to "read me a bedtime story" and she told me to get my parent to turn on Kids Skills. I'll need to play around with it later but Kid Skills looks very interesting. Have a Google.