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Message
re: Amazon Echo vs Google Home - Which is best?
Posted on 5/10/17 at 11:16 am to Korkstand
Posted on 5/10/17 at 11:16 am to Korkstand
quote:
I'd bet that every single skill or action has a least one user
For this stuff to matter it needs to be a much better out of the box experience for the average person. My wife doesn't want to install an app, she just wants to say "Alexa Play Scandal" and have it automagically know you're talking to the FireTV and have it play the next episode from whatever source she was watching it on last, whether that's the PSVue, DVR/On Demand, NetFlix or Plex.
Alexa is well positioned to become synonymous with being your home voice assistant, but the tech is still not ready for prime time. All of these different editions are encouraging though. That's the aggressive approach they need to take. I shouldn't have to buy a Harmony Hub and set up IFTTT rules to go along with my Echo, I should be able to buy Echo Harmony Hub and Universal Remote edition that has support for the most common apps and devices out of the box.
This post was edited on 5/10/17 at 11:18 am
Posted on 5/10/17 at 11:36 am to TigerinATL
quote:While that sounds nice, it's much too magical for my taste, and probably too magical for most people if you think about it.
For this stuff to matter it needs to be a much better out of the box experience for the average person. My wife doesn't want to install an app, she just wants to say "Alexa Play Scandal" and have it automagically know you're talking to the FireTV and have it play the next episode from whatever source she was watching it on last, whether that's the PSVue, DVR/On Demand, NetFlix or Plex.
If you don't want to install an app/skill, then if your Echo/whatever is to know what you have been watching, then all of your devices and services would have to divulge this information to anyone/thing that asks for it. This has scary privacy implications.
Further, all of your devices and services would have to allow anyone/thing to control them without your permission. This is also scary.
Hopefully that is enough to convince you that having to install an app/skill and grant explicit permission to use your devices, services, and information is not so terrible.
Sure, the process of getting everything set up can definitely be improved, but it's never going to be as simple as buying an Echo, plugging it in, then telling it to play Scandal, and it already knows where you left off, what service you were watching it on, and already able to take control over the devices in your house. That's just not a world we want to live in.
Posted on 5/10/17 at 11:55 am to Korkstand
quote:
That's just not a world we want to live in.
I mostly agree with you but what if that level of "magic" was available but only within the Amazon ecosystem? Perhaps if you plug in the echo, it looks for a firetv or tablet, etc. If it finds one then it knows it can play what you requested assuming you own/have access to that content on an account level.
For this to be reality Amazon would probably have to release an equivalent product to Harmony hub or have Amazon branded TV though.
Posted on 5/10/17 at 12:34 pm to cardswinagain
Good thread idea.
I finally want to get into this game, but yeah, there doesn't seem to be a clear leader.
I think Amazon is more useful overall, and I find them less scary than Google in general.
I'd like a really great third option that works with both somehow, but I doubt that happens. I'm interested to see what Microsoft does with Cortana though. I think I want the Show, but I'll give it a few months.
I finally want to get into this game, but yeah, there doesn't seem to be a clear leader.
I think Amazon is more useful overall, and I find them less scary than Google in general.
I'd like a really great third option that works with both somehow, but I doubt that happens. I'm interested to see what Microsoft does with Cortana though. I think I want the Show, but I'll give it a few months.
Posted on 5/10/17 at 12:44 pm to Korkstand
quote:
if your Echo/whatever is to know what you have been watching, then all of your devices and services would have to divulge this information to anyone/thing that asks for it.
The Fire TV already has a row of its interface dedicated to NetFlix recommendations. It's stuff you've been watching on NetFlix.
quote:
Further, all of your devices and services would have to allow anyone/thing to control them without your permission.
Your remote control doesn't require personal authorization to turn on your TV. I do agree that as our devices get smarter authentication needs to be more built in, especially regarding things like cameras, doors and other security related devices.
Maybe out of the box is the wrong phrase. Perhaps during a setup wizard or when you install an app you give permission not only to let your FireTV access the app, but you can also authorize your echoes.
quote:
This is also scary.
I'm just talking about giving the combination of FireTV and Echo devices access to knowing what you watch on NetFlix/Hulu/Plex/etc. It's not like I'm saying they can go look at your browser history. Having an Android phone and using the Google ecosystem gives Google way more access to much more personal information than we're talking about with controlling media playback.
quote:
That's just not a world we want to live in.
I really think you're underestimating Joe Six Pack's willingness to trade control for convenience. This new world where your shows come from so many different services that often have their own unique interface can be cumbersome to navigate. In the Cable era you had 2 choices, watch the cable box or watch the DVD/VCR.
Posted on 5/10/17 at 4:51 pm to TigerinATL
quote:Yeah, installing and signing in to an app on a given device gives it permission to watch what you do, assuming the app allows it.
The Fire TV already has a row of its interface dedicated to NetFlix recommendations. It's stuff you've been watching on NetFlix.
quote:My remote control doesn't work in the background, and it can't control anything other than my TV (or other devices that I explicitly tell it to in the case of a universal remote). Allowing another person physical access is authorization enough.
Your remote control doesn't require personal authorization to turn on your TV.
quote:So you agree now that installation and setup of app/device integrations is necessary? This is the crux of my earlier reply.
Maybe out of the box is the wrong phrase. Perhaps during a setup wizard or when you install an app you give permission not only to let your FireTV access the app, but you can also authorize your echoes.
quote:And that would be great. It just can't be automagic. App installation and setup required.
I'm just talking about giving the combination of FireTV and Echo devices access to knowing what you watch on NetFlix/Hulu/Plex/etc.
quote:I'm not necessarily worried about who has what personal or non-personal data. I am just saying I would have some questions if a device could worm its way into my other devices and app data without my knowledge and permission.
Having an Android phone and using the Google ecosystem gives Google way more access to much more personal information than we're talking about with controlling media playback.
quote:Oh, I know the average person would think it's awesome. That's why I think it's important that those of us who have an idea how things work need to stay on top of it.
I really think you're underestimating Joe Six Pack's willingness to trade control for convenience.
quote:I know it can be tough, in my house we use Plex, Netflix, Prime, Youtube, Sling, and Tablo. Even though my 4 year old can find exactly what he wants by navigating all but Sling and Tablo, it would definitely be easier to find what you want with a universal interface. I think it will happen eventually, but it just won't (or shouldn't) be automagic.
This new world where your shows come from so many different services that often have their own unique interface can be cumbersome to navigate.
Posted on 5/11/17 at 5:50 am to Korkstand
Sorry I wasn't more clear, by out of the box I just meant not having to go through so many extra steps, like going to the Alexa app adding Alexa skills for an app you installed on your Fire TV and in the case of something like Harmony Hub having to set up rules on a 3rd party site like IFTTT. Of course you should have to give login info and access permissions to your other services.
Side note, with the release of the new Echo Show Amazon is making Alexa a messaging app too. The app updated yesterday and forced you to confirm your name, which isn't that big of a deal since Amazon already has that, but then it wanted access to your contacts. You can tell it no, which I did, but this just felt like a slimy play for data rather than an innocent release of a useful new feature.
Side note, with the release of the new Echo Show Amazon is making Alexa a messaging app too. The app updated yesterday and forced you to confirm your name, which isn't that big of a deal since Amazon already has that, but then it wanted access to your contacts. You can tell it no, which I did, but this just felt like a slimy play for data rather than an innocent release of a useful new feature.
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