Google appears to be developing a next-generation Home hub that will include mesh Wi-Fi, a ZigBee or thread-based radio and better audio quality according to the evidence I've found in Google's code base. The code I've unearthed refers to "Mistral", … [Read more...]
Google Assistant needs more “action” if it wants to challenge Amazon’s Alexa Skills
It’s 2019 and after several years of growing smart speaker sales, the top two contenders — Google and Amazon — are now fighting back and forth for the top sales spot each quarter, even though Amazon's first-mover status provides it more lifetime … [Read more...]
CES 2019 is over and the smart home still isn’t that smart
More than any prior Consumer Electronics Show, CES 2019 was all about smart homes and the digital assistants inside them. I lost count of how many connected doorbells, sensors, smoke alarms, TVs and cameras I saw on the show floor this year. The same … [Read more...]
CES 2019: Google Assistant improves, expands and becomes easier for hardware makers to use
My first order of business at the Consumer Electronics Show today was a press-only chat and demonstration given by Google. We were promised news, information, and a ride! Google delivered. Let's get some of the stats and data out of the way … [Read more...]
Hey Google, ask Alexa, Siri, and Cortana what’s up with Bixby in the smart home
With 2019 underway, I think it's safe to say that 2018 was a big year for digital assistants and smart speakers in the home. And the coming years will likely continue that trend based on usage forecasts: eMarketer suggests a 15 percent increase in … [Read more...]