Two Virtual Assistants in My Apartment- Alexa and Siri

LAST Christmas Dodie( my oldest son) gave me an Apple Watch with the Siri Apps. Because I have no experienced with Siri, so I did some search on what questions Siri can answer.  I have a list of them (see website below).

 I told Siri I loved her. She answered, How Sweet!  I used both Siri and Alexa for Reminders. Alexa for news and music. Siri for auto calls to the front desk and Newton's etc.... I love them both.  I have not programmed my Apple Watch for the Fall Feature Yet!

https://support.apple.com/guide/homepod/ask-for-information-apd1ac8031f8/homepod

I have Alexa also for over 3 years now. I play Tango Music, News of the Day and a Reminder to take My Pills at 9AM and 9PM. I also asked Alexa on the weather report daily. Here are a few funny things you can also ask Alexa. 

 https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/20-funny-things-you-can-ask-alexa

Here's  an article written by Marcus Tsui, comparing the pro and cons of the 3 Virtual Assistants currently available on the market, Alexa, Google and Siri that I found very interesting and informative. 

Alexa vs. Google Assistant vs. Siri: A comparison

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	ALEXA	GOOGLE ASSISTANT	SIRI
Initial release	November 2014	May 2016	October 2011
Developer	Amazon	Google	Apple
Operating system	Fire OS 5.0 or later, iOS 11.0 or later, Android 4.4 or later	Android, ChromeOS, iOS, iPadOS, KaiOS, Linux	iOS 5.0 or later, macOS Sierra or later, watchOS
Platform	Amazon Echo, Fire OS, iOS, Android, Linux, Windows	Android, Google Nest, Wear OS, Android TV , ChromeOS, iOS, iPadOS, Ubuntu,  Raspberry Pi	iPhone, iPad,  iPod Touch, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, HomePod
Languages	English, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Arabic	28 including English, Danish, Dutch, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Thai	21 including Arabic, Chinese, Finnish, French, Hebrew, Korean, Malay, Norwegian, and Turkish
Accessibility	41 countries	Over 90 countries	37 countries

Amazon Alexa

Speaking of Star Trek, the development of Amazon’s Alexa was directly inspired by the computer’s voice on the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation! For further context, the project was actually created by a Polish developer who was initially inspired by HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey—which… you know… good lord… no—and subsequently purchased by Amazon in 2013.

Originally designed to operate on Amazon Echo devices, Alexa has now expanded for use on other smart devices as well. Perhaps Alexa’s biggest strength lies in its extensive compatibility with a wide range of smart home devices.

Ideal usage

Alexa excels at home automation and smart home control. It integrates smoothly with a wide variety of smart devices including thermostats, lights, security cameras, and door locks. This is handy for tasks like adjusting the temperature, dimming the lights, or activating smart locks.

Alexa also boasts a vast library of third-party skills which expand its functionality to allow users to perform tasks beyond basic home automation including ordering groceries, listening to music, setting reminders, and even requesting jokes. 

Smart home functionality

As Alexa is compatible with a range of third-party smart devices, users have the flexibility to really customize their entire smart home experience. Of the three devices in this article, Alexa is probably the best for cross-functionality with devices from other vendors.

Google Assistant

Google Assistant is a virtual assistant developed by Google and available on a wide variety of platforms, including smartphones, smart speakers, and other smart devices. Google Assistant excels in its ability to leverage the vast knowledge and information available through Google’s search engine, providing detailed and accurate responses to queries.

Ideal usage

Google Assistant’s strengths revolve around information retrieval and productivity. Need to know the weather, traffic conditions, or who played that one minor character on whatever show you’re currently watching? Simply ask Google Assistant, and it’ll provide you with up-to-date information…except wherever you’ve left your keys.

The assistant can also handle tasks such as setting reminders, scheduling appointments, sending messages, and making phone calls.

Smart home functionality

Similar to Alexa, Google Assistant offers seamless integration with various smart devices. It obviously works well with Google Nest devices, allowing users to control smart thermostats, cameras, and doorbells. Additionally, Google Assistant integrates with other popular smart home brands, providing users flexibility in device selection.

Further, Google Assistant shines in its ability to understand context. You can ask follow-up questions and have natural, conversational interactions. 

This is perhaps where Google Assistant really shines. It has a strong emphasis on natural language processing and a deep integration with Google’s knowledge base. Thanks to Google’s powerful search engine, Google Assistant excels in providing accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date answers to a wide range of queries. Its ability to handle complex questions and contextually understand follow-up queries sets it apart from the other assistants on this list.

Siri

Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, is available on iOS devices, HomePod smart speakers, and other Apple products. Known for its tight integration within Apple’s ecosystem, Siri offers a seamless experience across Apple devices.

Ideal usage

Siri is perfect for tasks related to personal organization and device control within the Apple ecosystem. You can use Siri to send text messages, make phone calls, schedule appointments, set alarms, and manage your calendar. Siri’s strength lies in its ability to deeply integrate with Apple’s built-in apps, providing a frictionless experience for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.

Smart home functionality

Regarding smart home functions, Siri is compatible with HomeKit-enabled devices. HomeKit is Apple’s smart home platform, allowing users to control their smart lights, thermostats, door locks, and more. Siri can handle commands like adjusting the temperature, turning on/off lights, and locking doors, making it an ideal assistant for Apple users invested in the HomeKit ecosystem.

Siri’s strength lies in its integration within the Apple ecosystem. Apple users who own multiple Apple devices can enjoy a cohesive and synchronized experience with Siri. Siri offers a high level of integration with Apple’s built-in apps and services, allowing users to effortlessly perform tasks across their iPhone, iPad, Mac, and HomePod. Additionally, Siri’s privacy-focused approach is a significant advantage for users concerned about data security. By processing most commands on-device, Siri ensures that sensitive information remains private and enhances user trust in the assistant.

Verdict: Which home assistant is best?

That depends on the context you’re using it for. While all three virtual assistants offer smart home functions and various usage cases, their strengths and integration differ. Amazon Alexa excels in its compatibility with a wide range of smart home devices and its extensive library of third-party skills. Google Assistant leverages Google’s knowledge base for accurate information retrieval and excels in contextual understanding. Siri offers a seamless experience within the Apple ecosystem. 

Consider your smart home setup, preferred devices, and ecosystem compatibility when choosing the ideal virtual assistant for your needs.

I have Alexa and Siri in my apartment. I love them both and equally! How about you? If you have Siri, tell her you love her.  She will answer, How Sweet!

Meanwhile I have this photo recently during our water break episode.