Free Mini replace your Echo/Alexa

[pseudoware]

Any Alexa users considering how Google Home might fit into your connected existence? I'm interested to know what others have in mind.

At first glance for me, the inability for the Mini to "Bluetooth" to other speakers (w/o Chromecast) is a significant strike against.

 

[bigbearballs]

I switched from Alexa to mini and the biggest thing I've noticed is how much more my mini knows. It gives overall better and more answers to questions. I didn't use Alexa for Bluetooth, so it wasn't a big deal to lose that. I'm trying to integrate everything into Google and it's been pretty easy. I have a home, mini, pixel 2, and now a Chromecast. I want a hub but I'm waiting since I heard Google might come out with a screened Google device that has a hub like Alexa show.

 

[cyndie1030]

I use the Mini if I need search info but for my grocery list, playing Amazon prime music, turning lights on and off, etc., I prefer Alexa.

 

[Chex313]

I find the mini only useful when I am near it. When I am in any other room and I query my Pixel 2 XL the mini answers....It even makes phone calls when I do not want it to...Its made voice searches to my phone useless. It is going to be relegated to the garage. It is useless for me until it can allow my phone to answer.

I much prefer my dots and echos. If I need a smart search I prefer my phone which is always on me.

This is pretty much what I thought, and why I didn't see a reason to switch. Anything I can do with a mini, I can already do with my phone.

The smart home stuff is already been covered for 2 years with amazon devices.

Having said that, if they just fix the proximity to device issue, the mini is faster to turn on lights , has less errors in voice command detection and of course can answer questions much better and more intelligently than the echo's/dots.

How they can allow it to make phone calls when its 30' away astounds me...Did no one at Google test this thing while owning a Pixel? Not once have I seen any review mention this deal breaker.

Also if I am making an intelligent search, while it is not usually personnel or private, who the heck wants its broadcast across the house. The rest of my family doesn't want to hear my searches and I don't want to hear theirs...

 

[Almeuit]

I tried Alexa for awhile .. I couldn't stand it. I returned it and exclusively have been using Google Home for awhile now (way before the mini). I just didn't like simple tasks such as "What is the traffic like to (X)?" not working with Alexa. How is it a smart assistant if it can't answer a basic thing?

So far I have 2 mini / 1 home. I am pretty tied into Google. I also have Google WiFi, Pixel 2 XL, Nest thermostat + smoke detectors (protects), 3 Chromecast Ultras, and Phillips Hue lights. I can control it all pretty easily with the home / mini, from my phone, or via an app.

 

[bhatech]

Personally I'm not that impressed with Alexa, I like and prefer the Google Assistant which works much better for me. I'm all in on Google Assistant in turn Google home. I do also have an echo dot, costs so less so why not. I just use it when I'm forced to use like in case of some Amazon deals via Alexa etc.

 

[Almeuit]

Personally I'm not that impressed with Alexa, I like and prefer the Google Assistant which works much better for me. I'm all in on Google Assistant in turn Google home.

Also a good point. I should have mentioned that ... Since Google is tied to all things in my life (calendars, reminders, etc.) the homes make it that much easier. My most favorite / used feature is just yelling out a reminder to be set and the mini or home setting it. Auto syncs to phone and I don't get yelled at for forgetting stuff ^_^ lol.

 

[darkmanx2g]

I always had a Google home. Echo dot came free with the fire TV I bought from Amazon and put that in the bedroom. Not much content on the echo dot was only turning off the lights and thermostats. The advantage of Google home is your account is synched and integrated with your Google account.

 

[bigbearballs]

Personally I'm not that impressed with Alexa, I like and prefer the Google Assistant which works much better for me. I'm all in on Google Assistant in turn Google home. I do also have an echo dot, costs so less so why not. I just use it when I'm forced to use like in case of some Amazon deals via Alexa etc.

You can use your Amazon music app to get Amazon deals through Alexa, once I figured that out I sold my Dot and echo.

 

[bhatech]

You can use your Amazon music app to get Amazon deals through Alexa, once I figured that out I sold my Dot and echo.//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171201/cb364ddcc4c22a805966456d3c5c68a2.jpg

Nice didn't know about that

I'll just keep around the dot, I paid $30 so not that expensive but sold the echo earlier when I got the home.

 

[pseudoware]

Some good input. I haven't rec'd my Mini yet, just been thinking about which one to go with, although I might keep both after this conversation.

Me: Can you talk to Alexa?
GA: I'm so excited I have a question for her. Alexa, will you be my friend?
Alexa: Of course we can be friends. You seem very nice.

 

[pseudoware]

OK, our family room is officially Alexa - Fire TV, speakers, lights, smart plug. It's just a matter of time until some wise ash in the household tells Alexa to add something like "quit being a jerk" to my To Do List or adds tampons or adult diapers to my Shopping List.

I can always squeeze my phone for GA's expertise. I'll likely set up the mini in another room, although I might get another Echo since I enjoy having music & bluetooth voice-controlled in the bedroom.

 

[Almeuit]

OK, our family room is officially Alexa - Fire TV, speakers, lights, smart plug. It's just a matter of time until some wise ash in the household tells Alexa to add something like "quit being a jerk" to my To Do List or adds tampons or adult diapers to my Shopping List.

I can always squeeze my phone for GA's expertise. I'll likely set up the mini in another room, although I might get another Echo since I enjoy having music & bluetooth voice-controlled in the bedroom.

You mean like playing music from your phone via Bluetooth?

 

[pseudoware]

You mean like playing music from your phone via Bluetooth?

No, Echo links to various music services like Pandora, Spotify, Tune In, Amazon, etc and plays these thru connected BT speakers. You don't need the phone app for these services on your phone. I just tell Alexa what service, playlist, channel, artist, album or song, etc to play and she delivers.

 

[Almeuit]

No, Echo links to various music services like Pandora, Spotify, Tune In, Amazon, etc and plays these thru connected BT speakers. You don't need the phone app for these services on your phone. I just tell Alexa what service, playlist, channel, artist, album or song, etc to play and she delivers.

Ah k. Since I'm all in on Google and have a Google music subscription I just tell it what to play and where and it does the same thing. If I don't specify where it'll just play locally on the speaker.

 

[pseudoware]

I'm gonna wait till I get my Mini (how long does that take?) I might get some Cast-enabled speakers. I was a big Songza fan, and it looks like a lot of that content continues on GPM. Alexa is cool, but I'd like to also get more into Google's stuff and compare firsthand.

 

[mumfoau]

So I bought my pixel 2 XL on Tuesday. Do I need to do anything special for the free Mini and $100 credit?

 

[Pigman]

Still waiting on my code for free mini. I pre ordered during the Pixel presentation.

 

[Mike Dee]

Still waiting on my code for free mini. I pre ordered during the Pixel presentation.

Ditto
I think it goes by when you received it. I received around November 7th which is almost 4 weeks.

 

[bhatech]

So I bought my pixel 2 XL on Tuesday. Do I need to do anything special for the free Mini and $100 credit?

No they will start sending the codes after the return period expires.