Do you have a Google Home and Alexa? Both are voice assistants that can help with your everyday life. These two technology giants, who compete in the smart speaker market and offer similar features, but can they be used together? How do you use Alexa or Google Home together?
It’s frustratingly difficult to find the answer online because there is no centralized place for all of this information that exists on both platforms individually by default. We have compiled answers from multiple sources into this article so you can start enjoying your combination device as soon as possible!
There are many ways to use these devices side-by-side which will allow you to get more out of your home automation setup.
This article will discuss the differences between Amazon Echo and Alexa, as well as Google Home and Google Assistant, and if they are interchangeable. You’ll also learn if you can use these two separate smart speakers at home simultaneously, as well as the drawbacks of doing so.
- Can you use Alexa and Google Home together?
- Why use Google Home and Alexa simultaneously?
- Tips on how to use both Alexa and Google in the same house
- What Is The Difference Between Alexa and Google Home?
- Things Amazon Alexa Can Do That Google Home Can’t.
- Things Google Home Can Do That Alexa Can’t
- How to connect Google Home and Alexa
- Can Alexa and Google Home Control each Other?
- Conclusion
Can you use Alexa and Google Home together?
Both Alexa and Google Home Assistants can be used in the same home and perform their full functionality. They may even coexist in the same room without interfering with one another.
If Alexa refers to your Amazon Echo speaker, Alexa and Google Home will function together. However, having both in the same area and linked to the same smart gadgets might be problematic. As a result, you must take precautions to ensure that they do not become confused or execute the same orders.
The Amazon Echo and Google Home speakers are both Wi-Fi connected devices that can be controlled by voice command. These two devices will work independently to carry out the functions that are commanded of them. While you can use both of these devices to control your smart home, there are some limitations.
For example, if you want to use them together on a single hub for convenience sake then it’s not possible; however, when paired with the other smart devices in your home and used separately they work just fine.
Why use Google Home and Alexa simultaneously?
Many people are looking into the idea of smart homes and with that, they want to use Alexa or Google Home. There’s no harm in trying it out if you’re not sure what your home will be like when it’s fully implemented.
Google Assistant and Alexa can work together to improve each other’s experience. Google Home is one of the best ways to use your voice with Google, while Alexa allows you to control your smart home appliances with just a few words.
If these two products are connected then they will be able to create an even more enhanced user experience for both devices because they have complementary features that complement each other in different areas.
Amazon and Google Assistant are both assistants. In some cases, this may have benefits for the user. For example, you can shop on Amazon without giving up Google’s superior search capabilities or tap into Amazon’s larger number of third-party skills without losing voice control over Chromecast devices which is a perk that Alexa has over its other competitors.
Tips on how to use both Alexa and Google in the same house
Use Different speakers in different locations
Using different speakers in different places is a good strategy for using both Alexa and Google Home devices.
It is important to note that each speaker has a specific set of tasks. However, you should use different speakers in different locations. For example, one speaker may be used for listening to music while the other would be used for watching TV at home.
Third-party smart home app
Third-party smart home app apps for Google Assistant and Alexa make it easy to keep track of commands on one platform. Use IFTTT, Yeti, and Stringify to help you manage your Google Assistant or Alexa commands.
While Amazon Echo and Google Home are both third-party home automation devices, they can coexist without any hassle.
Allocate specific tasks to each speaker
Yes, you can use both Alexa and Google Home in the same house. However, it may be beneficial to assign different tasks to each speaker.
This is a problem because the commands will overlap and make it difficult to understand. To avoid confusion, you should allocate specific tasks to each speaker so they can execute their own command without any issues.
Allocate Voice Tasks to One Speaker and Mute the Other
When using both Alexa and Google Home, it’s important to allocate voice tasks to one speaker. This will allow the other speaker to be muted when not in use.
If you have a speaker, it is best to assign voice tasks only to one speaker. There are two options: Amazon Echo and Google Home.
What Is The Difference Between Alexa and Google Home?
Google Home devices are marketed as “hands-free” assistants, and they come with a slew of advanced functions to back that up. Users may give the gadget voice instructions such as “play my music playlist” or “play Friends on Netflix on my TV.”
Aside from the essential functions that this gadget can perform, it can also keep track of things for you, such as planned events and reminders. Google Home is quite conversational, so you may speak to it in entire phrases like a human and the gadget would comprehend.
As a consequence, you may ask your Google Home device queries just as you would in the Google search engine. As though you were having a genuine discussion, the speaker will spit forth the best response to your query in a matter of seconds.
Google Home is compatible with over 5,000 smart home devices, making it an essential component of any smart home.
Alexa, on the other hand, is an Amazon-created virtual assistant. Alexa’s voice technology was included in the Echo Dot smart speakers when it was developed. It evolved into a stand-alone gadget that reacts to voice instructions after additional development.
Amazon Alexa, unlike Google Home, listens better to direct orders rather than conversational speech. When utilizing Alexa, use short, simple sentences that will elicit a response to receive the greatest results.
Alexa is capable of playing music, creating to-do lists, setting alarms, and streaming audio. It can also play news channels, podcasts, and provide weather and traffic updates based just on the sound of your voice.
Users will use a particular word at the beginning of their phrase to activate an Alexa device. For example, to notify Alexa that you want to pause the TV, say “Alexa, pause the TV.” Because the user did not wake Alexa up, the gadget would not respond to “pause the TV” alone.
Both the Google House and Amazon Alexa gadgets may be a terrific addition to your home, making your life easier. Fortunately, you don’t have to pick between the two because they may coexist in the same house.
Things Amazon Alexa Can Do That Google Home Can’t.
Custom Skills
Google Home has a limited number of skills, but Amazon Alexa can have literally thousands. Custom skills are personal to Alexa and can be programmed in different ways. Examples are greetings and stories.
Security
Google Home does not have a security feature. Amazon Alexa, on the other hand, has an Alexa Guard device that will notify you if there is suspicious activity or glass breaking in your home.
Package Tracking
You can use Amazon Alexa and Google Home together. The difference is that Amazon Alexa has a greater ability to track packages than Google Home does. Amazon Alexa will also know what stage of the delivery your package is at and you can ask her all sorts of questions about it or even make purchase decisions based on your package status.
Whisper Capability
Amazon Alexa can be enabled to hear a user in the Whisper Mode. In this mode, users can speak softly and not interrupt others while they’re listening. Google Home cannot do this feature on its own because it is not compatible with other voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Apple Siri.
Frustration Detection
Frustration Detection: Amazon Alexa can detect when you are becoming irritated or frustrated and will change the behaviour of your smart home controller without you having to make any changes. Google Home does not have this feature.
Assistant On-the-Go
Google Home can only be used in your home, while Amazon Alexa is portable and can be used everywhere. The Echo Auto allows you to take Alexa with you on car rides.
Location Triggers
Google Home cannot do location triggers as Alexa can. This is because Google does not have access to your smartphone’s location, so it would be unable to track you down. However, Alexa can switch on the lights and get the HVAC system ready before your arrival by using a feature called “Location Triggers”.
Music
Alexa is compatible with a wider range of streaming services than Google Home. Alexa also has more speakers available, but that doesn’t mean it’s exclusive to Amazon. Similarly, Google Play Music is compatible with Google Home, and both devices have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Things Google Home Can Do That Alexa Can’t
Music Streaming
Alexa has a few more streaming services than Google does, but it doesn’t mean that Google doesn’t have its own exclusive streaming services. First of all, just like Amazon Prime Music on Amazon Echo devices, there is also the brand new service called Google Play Music that you will find on your device with the name “Google.”
Chromecast
Google Home speakers can sync audio across multiple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast speakers. Alexa devices cannot do this.
Multiple Commands
A Google Home can understand multiple commands in one breath. Alexa cannot do this but is able to perform the same tasks with fewer words.
Natural Conversations
Google Home can fill in the blanks, while Alexa cannot. Google Home is also better at natural conversations than Amazon’s voice assistant.
Play Songs in Context
Google Home is able to detect context when you mention music in your conversation. Google shared an example of how this works during the release event.
Short Commands Set Up
You can set up shortcut commands on your Google Home hub. Shortcuts allow you to control smart devices with voice-activated controls and voice recognition, like turning lights on or off, playing music, setting a specific volume level and more.
Change Voice
Google Home is just one of the devices that can be used to control your smart home. You cannot use Alexa with Google Home, but you can use both devices at once on different tasks.
Night Mode
Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home can both do a lot of the same things. However, there are a few features that Amazon’s Alexa can’t do that Google Home has. For example, if you’re in bed or want to give your voice commands quietly when it’s nighttime, then use these tips in order to keep yourself safe with Google Home.
How to connect Google Home and Alexa
To connect your Google Home and Alexa, you will need to create an account on either device. After that, the two devices are set up in a similar way with both having voice recognition features.
After you’ve downloaded the app of your choosing, you’ll need to pair it with your Google Home or Alexa device. This will need making an account with Alexa or Google and logging in. Following that, you must provide the app permission to connect to your smartphone and utilize it to construct control phrases.
Because Alexa and Google Home can both recognize the same voice commands, it is simple to utilize both of them at the same time. These gadgets may even be put in the same room and collaborate to finish tasks.
You may use a third-party smart home app to easily set up and operate both of these devices. Stringify, Yeti, and IFTTT are three of the most popular programs that can be used with Google Home and Alexa. This software assists users in creating voice command strings that will be encoded into each device.
After you’ve experimented with the technology of both the Alexa and Google Home devices, you’ll probably discover that they’re best suited to various chores in different sections of your home.
Because there are parental control options that will give parents peace of mind when they are unable to oversee, the Alexa is ideal for close quarters or quiet spaces where children will be doing schoolwork.
Google Home, on the other hand, has received praise for its seamless speaker system. This gadget is ideal for open places like living rooms and kitchens where the user wants to play the music that will not be drowned out by other noises in the house.
Can Alexa and Google Home Control each Other?
While Google House and Alexa may both be utilized in the same home for the same tasks, they cannot be controlled by each other. However, they are compatible with thousands of smart home gadgets and may be used to manage nearly anything in your house.
Conclusion
Google smart speakers, such as Google Home, use Google Assistant as its virtual assistant, whereas Amazon smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo, use Alexa. However, many people now use the term “Alexa” to refer to the Amazon Echo as well.
Nonetheless, these two smart speakers may coexist in the same house or room as long as you can control their jobs, voice instructions they would react to and accomplish, and ideal position.
