Alexa or google

[angel0071987]

Clueless pretty much on these as to how we would use them. I need/want to buy smart plugs and think it would be easier to voice command them so need a nest or echo (I think). Whixh is better?. What's the point of the screen ones?
Do you link lightbulbs and stuff to them too? Thinking of getting a cctv camera for outside (not a doorbel one) so would be good to link to that if needed too. ...

Still a maturing technology with a lot of potential change on the way....

If you have android phones, use youtube and google play predominantly go for the 'nest' ecosystem.

If you subscribe to amazon prime, and prime music, alexa may be the way forward.

To use lights (and some sockets), you need a control hub, I'd go for one that works with philips hue becuase it gives you the option to use the much cheaper ikea smart bulbs.

We’ve got siri, Alexa and Google.

I massively prefer Alexa. Understands everything we say, and compatible with LOADS of devices. She runs our house.

We have Alexa and Google. Google with a screen in kitchen as plays YouTube.

I like Alexa as I have amazon prime and amazon music

We have a Google one with a screen (we're mainly an Android house) and have it displaying photos from our shared "favourites" album, so it's a nice digital photo frame most of the time. Also good to see what is playing when you've got Spotify on. It displays your timers too. We watched the Queen's speech on it on Christmas Day as we were still at the table. I think you can probably do video calls on it too? Not sure though.

We use it to control our Hue lights and smart plugs, but both Google and Alexa can do that. Also use it a lot for adding to our shopping lists and a bit as an intercom as we have smaller ones in other rooms. We play the radio on it a lot.

You can just use your phone to voice control your lights though, with Siri or Google Assistant. I've got a widget on my phone for our main lights.