With the advancement of technology and how most things in life are being automated, artificial intelligence and smart speakers are being the new normal. From playing your favorite song to turning up the lights and setting reminders, these are just a few everyday examples, which these amazing artificial intelligence devices can do.
There are many well-known tech giants that are bringing these amazing inventions to the masses, and it is not just for the rich and elite. Two of them being the Google Nest Mini and Alexa(Amazon Echo).
Google Nest Mini vs Alexa
The main difference between Google Nest Mini and Alexa is that the Google Assistant is easier to work with, understands, and executes commands better than Amazon’s Alexa. Thus it is less frustrating to the user and this feature of better adaptability and more fluidity is a superior overall experience.
Comparison Table Between Google Nest Mini and Alexa
| Parameters of Comparison | Google Nest Mini | Alexa |
| Third-party skills | About 1,800 third-party skills | About 24,000. |
| Colour | The color it comes in are chalk, charcoal, coral, and sky, | Neutrals like grey and white while some have a wooden finish |
| User Experience | It is more fluid and can pick up on the user’s commands and give useful feedback. | The keywords are really important and the follow up is not as good as in its competition. |
| Uniqueness | Find your phone. Helps the user locate their misplaced phone. | Alexa Guard notifies the user in case of break-ins or fire when connected to security systems. |
What is Google Nest Mini?
In the most simple term, it is a speaker that can connect to the WIFI as well as Bluetooth and can take in simple voice commands and carry them out, as instructed. There are three color variants that are, chalk, charcoal, coral, and sky, which make the Mini aesthetic apart from being smart too.
You get access to all the apps under google, like Youtube, Gmail, and so on. One can give voice commands like “Play Music” or “suggest me a horror movie” etc. These are mostly entertainment-centric while there are many features that make your day easier, like setting a reminder, make calls, ask a question, and most importantly find your phone feature, which really helps the user.
One needs to download the Home app and set up a few things like their taste in music, movies, etc. More importantly, allow permission to control the other smart home devices. The former helps Artificial Intelligence form algorithms for future reference and the latter is important so that it can control a few selected features of other smart home devices. These include controlling the temperature of the AC, drawing the blinds, or dining the lights as commanded.
This device makes one’s day overall easier by helping them plan their day, remember important days, help them explore new areas, recipes, hobbies, and many more. One can also use IFTTT which helps them integrate third-party apps that are not included under the Google partner policies.
We found the best deal(s) on Amazon for you
| # | Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
| Outlet Wall Mount Holder for Google Nest Mini and Google Home Mini, A Space-Saving Accessories with… | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | 
| Caremoo Google Nest Mini Wall Mount Holder, Space-Saving Design Outlet Mount, Perfect Cord… | Check Price on Amazon |
What is Alexa?
This smart feature has similar features as its counterpart like entertainment, communication, productivity, smart home, shopping, and more.
A few of its salient features include the Alexa Guard, which gathers information from the security systems and other such apps and notifies the owner in case of break-ins or fire. The “Send a Hug” feature sends a virtual hug to one’s loved ones and the make a call feature is a basic feature as well. People can change the thermostats, get the latest news and the list goes on
One can avail of exclusive Amazon deals and even voice shop without lifting a finger. The Amazon Alexa has a multilingual mode via which the user can talk to Alexa in various languages. One can even make calls on other Amazon devices like call the Echo of other family members. Another feature that is amazing is “Explain itself” via which the user can ask Alexa for an explanation as to why it did what it did and that improves the connection between the user and the machine. Not only that one can even teach Alexa anecdotes and personal DIY stories and more which makes the individual experience better also helps in crowd-sourcing data.
The partner apps one can use with Alexa include Fitbit, Roomba i7+, Ask My Buddy, Mayo Clinic skill, Hyundai Blue Link, MyFord Mobile, and many more which makes life easier undoubtedly. One can dim the lights with Philips Hue lights for example to set the mode or end the endless “who will turn the lights off” dialogue during night time.
We found the best deal(s) on Amazon for you
| # | Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
| Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with clock and Alexa | Glacier White | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | 
| Echo Dot (4th Gen, 2020 release) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Charcoal | Check Price on Amazon |
Main Differences Between Google Nest Mini and Alexa
- Coming to the basic feature that is artificial intelligence, Alexa is better when there are many smart devices while Google Assistant is more fluid and has a better learning algorithm.
- The Google Assistant has a wider variety of voices than Alexa. And though it may not be a key difference at first, it certainly makes the gadget more fun and practical.
- Based on user experience, the Google assistant has a better follow up record than Alexa, as in one can ask a string of questions relating to one another while with Alexa the keyword is really important.
- Based on design and colors, the Amazon smart speakers have a wood finish(some) and are mostly neutral colors, while the Google smart ones have up to seven colors which include pinks and blues.
- The “Find my phone” feature on Google is really handy, while the Alexa Guard is equally helpful in a different tandem.
Conclusion
Either of the smart speakers has its own advantages and pros, most importantly it is about the eco-system one has, if most devices are compatible with amazon then Alexa is the one to go with and vice-versa. These are surely machines of tomorrow and undoubtedly make one’s life a lot better.
Reference
- https://arxiv.org/abs/1805.01525
Last update on 2022-04-03 / Amazon Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API