A 2019, Comparison Between Alexa, Siri, And Google Assistant
Ever since Apple launched Siri around 2011, the digital world has never been the same. Today we have so many virtual assistants in the market that it is really difficult to point out which one is the best!
However, Alexa, Siri & Google Assistant is the three most popular ones, used vastly across the world. While each of them has their own sets of features, all of them has their quirks as well. Let’s have a comparison!
Everyday Jobs:
Let’s start with the basics. All of them are pretty efficient when it comes to doing day to day tasks. Math Problems, Weather Forecasts, Setting Reminders & Alarms, Call & Text Messages, all of them have a stronghold on these.
But Siri & Goggle Assistant can send texts via Whatsapp, whereas, Alexa cannot integrate Whatsapp in any way.
As a conversationalist, Alexa is quite decent but you need to repeat the word “Alexa” with every command or conversation. For example, if you say, “Alexa, what’s the current temperature at the thermostat?”
For the next command, you have to say, “Alexa” again before requesting that the voice assistant “set the hallway thermostat to 68 degrees.”
Although, it would be much more convenient to just say, “Alexa, what’s the current temperature at the hallway thermostat?” and then say, “Set my hallway thermostat to 68 degrees,” without having to utter “Alexa” again.
Google Assistant is also fairly strong in terms of natural-language conversations. you can ask Google Assistant about the weather, the traffic, to adjust a smart LED for you — and much more. What’s more, in 2019, Google informed that now, with its new feature one doesn’t have to repeat “Hey Google” again & again.
Complicated Tasks
All of them have their own way to address complex tasks.
For instance, if you are searching for a nearby Chinese restaurant, all of them will find you restaurants based on the asked cuisine. However, Google often suggests food places related to the cuisine you ordered, like Lasagna. Google Assistant also offers to book a table at a nearby restaurant when you tell it that you’re’ hungry & also gives options to order via Swiggy along with directions.
Now, comes the hard part, i.e, giving directions, suggesting recipes, etc.
For these tasks, the assistants need to guide someone to do a job constantly. It is like supporting a friend!
When it comes to offering directions, Google Assistant gives solid time estimates and will direct you towards every major landmark. While for Siri & Alexa, it is often reported that both have failed to recognize places in India.
Context Related Tasks
Alexa and Google Assistant already have multi-user voice recognition, meaning they can distinguish between my voice and my co-workers. While, Siri should be able to give you reminders, music recommendations and other things that are customized just for you.
Also, one of the biggest strengths of Google is that it can understand other languages like Hindi or even Bengali for that matter. Siri lacks behind this one.
Google is far more context-aware than the other two. For example, if you are searching for English Premier League champions & it gave the answer to Manchester City. The next time you ask “How many goals?”, it will answer the right number. You can also experiment with it by asking “Coach’s name?” & it will provide you with subsequent answers.
The other two, however, failed to answer after one question as it can easily lose the context.
NEW FEATURES:
All of them have been updated quite a notch in the recent few years.
Some of the latest additions you may ask?
Here is a list:
Google Assistant-
- Booking A Ride:
One of its newest addition, currently it can find a ride within Grab, Uber, Lyft, Ola, and GO-JEK.
Since there are multiple ride-sharing apps available in numerous locations, Google Assistant will be able to compare the prices for each, allowing you to pick the most cost-efficient option.
- More Tool Access for Brands:
Some brands are now given the tools to be able to enhance the viewing experience and provide more effective search results. This means that some of the brands will be able to present thumbnails, provide larger images for better user experience.
- Personalized Interface for Andriod Users:
This one is an added benefit for the Android users.
Google has been focusing on personalized search results that cater to user preference, which means one can easily find blogs they may be interested to read, find news updates, weather reports of the area & so on.
Siri-
- Improved Siri Voice:
With a less artificial, stitched-together sound, and a more natural, life-like voice, Siri has been updating themselves a lot. Siri has a new Indian English voice to add to its existing five options.
- Shortcuts:
Siri shortcuts will now be available in the shortcut apps. Now both custom and suggested shortcuts are under one roof.
- Adding Multiple Reminders:
Earlier, if you wanted to add multiple reminders, you needed to dedicate one item per inquiry. Recently, Siri has been updated to be able to add multiple items to a list without any hassles. It knows, when two items should be separate & two should not.
- Enhanced Maps:
You’ll find Siri to be even more descriptive with directions in Maps. For example, instead of “In 1,000 feet, turn right,” you’ll hear, “Turn left at the next traffic light.”
Alexa:
- Updating your routine:
This has been made quite easier for Alexa users. Alexa will now recommend routines when you connect a smart device, which makes setting up routines even easier.
- Stay Updated:
Alexa can now provide longer, better flash briefings. You can also ask Alexa to “play news from CNN,” and you’ll get a lengthy summary of what’s happening in the news.
- Better Entertainment Experience:
Earlier, it was difficult for Alexa to go beyond its own music service. Now, you can access the Apple Music playlist with Alexa, provided you have your account linked with it. You can even use Spotify, Vevo, Pandora & other services as well.
