lastminute
Established Member
Anyone got either of these...if so, your thoughts !
Thanks....Gerry
Thanks....Gerry
Google Home or Mini?
- Thread starter lastminute
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MattRoberts
Established Member
I'm a real gadget guy, and often have the latest tech. I'm completely steering clear of these home assistants until the AI is drastically improved though. They're so limited to basic commands (play song, order a specific item, set alarm etc) that they just don't seem worth it.
Until the AI is clever enough to handle complex instructions and have an intelligent dialogue, I'll hang fire on spending
Until the AI is clever enough to handle complex instructions and have an intelligent dialogue, I'll hang fire on spending
I have had a Google Home for the past few weeks and the only thing I ever say to it is 'play radio 4'
Although 'she' gets it right about 50% of the time, the rest of the time she is confused, 'can't help with that at the moment' or tries to play 'my' grunge playlist on spotify.
Seriously, you can see the potential but it is not quite there yet - for instance potentially helpful features like being able to tell it you need to get some marmite the next time you are at the shops are only half implemented (you can't delete items from your shopping list, it won't deduplicate against existing items etc etc).
There are some good points that show the potential - for instance if you do hook it up to a music service you can tell it to play songs from your collection or the online catalogue (the google play service will although do an uncannily good job of picking things you like if you tell it to 'play music').
Give it a year and I think it the software will be getting genuinely useful, but for now it is probably only of interest to technology enthusiasts, IMO.
PS If you do get one it works better if you talk to it like you are being particularly patronizing to an elderly relative - talk slowly and loudly and loom over it so it can see your lips moving.
PPS also don't forget they are probably using these devices to steal your brainwaves!
Although 'she' gets it right about 50% of the time, the rest of the time she is confused, 'can't help with that at the moment' or tries to play 'my' grunge playlist on spotify.
Seriously, you can see the potential but it is not quite there yet - for instance potentially helpful features like being able to tell it you need to get some marmite the next time you are at the shops are only half implemented (you can't delete items from your shopping list, it won't deduplicate against existing items etc etc).
There are some good points that show the potential - for instance if you do hook it up to a music service you can tell it to play songs from your collection or the online catalogue (the google play service will although do an uncannily good job of picking things you like if you tell it to 'play music').
Give it a year and I think it the software will be getting genuinely useful, but for now it is probably only of interest to technology enthusiasts, IMO.
PS If you do get one it works better if you talk to it like you are being particularly patronizing to an elderly relative - talk slowly and loudly and loom over it so it can see your lips moving.
PPS also don't forget they are probably using these devices to steal your brainwaves!
DiscoStu
Established Member
I have a couple of Alexa’s I like them. I also have a lighting system. I can lay in bed and get her to turn out all the lights in the house. Also if there was a fire or burglar all the lights come on.
I also use her for my alarm, calendar entries and various other things. The kids use her quite a bit for spelling with their homework. I like.
As for being listened to all the time - if Mi6 want to listen to me discussing the weather or what we are having for dinner then they are most welcome. I think they’ll soon get board.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I also use her for my alarm, calendar entries and various other things. The kids use her quite a bit for spelling with their homework. I like.
As for being listened to all the time - if Mi6 want to listen to me discussing the weather or what we are having for dinner then they are most welcome. I think they’ll soon get board.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
monkeybiter
Established Member
How good is it at English spelling as opposed to USA spelling? One of my old-man hobbyhorses is the corporate arrogant disregard for the target market's language specifics, contributing to the slow but relentless outpouring overwhelming and diluting existing cultures. [/rant]DiscoStu":mjglxog9 said:
RogerS
Established Member
last minute":xbajedv5 said:
Pointless ?
And another potential attack vector ..
novocaine
Established Member
Amusing toy that'll be great for showing off when people come round, will annoy the pants off you within 6 months.
Don't worry about the CIA or MI6 listening in, they aren't interested, it's just goggle and it's advertising revenue that's listening in, so when you start getting adverts for big black stonkers with ribs on, ask the wife who she's been talking too.
meanwhile our ever so illustrious hacking community are finding new and unusual ways to use it for more nefarious means, but again, do worry about that, it's not like you do all your banking on line is it?
Don't worry about the CIA or MI6 listening in, they aren't interested, it's just goggle and it's advertising revenue that's listening in, so when you start getting adverts for big black stonkers with ribs on, ask the wife who she's been talking too.
meanwhile our ever so illustrious hacking community are finding new and unusual ways to use it for more nefarious means, but again, do worry about that, it's not like you do all your banking on line is it?
RogerS
Established Member
NazNomad":v6laa5s6 said:
You get reported for sexual harassment ?
novocaine
Established Member
NazNomad":spm2egde said:
"I'm sorry, I do not understand this request"
definitely female.
I quite like the Amazon efforts, although really disapointed the new Echo isnt even IP20 rated 
I'd buy one in a heartbeart for the bathroom so its easy to control some music in there.
I made a google Home assistant with the AIY kit on the MAGPI magazine, its just as good as the assistant on your phone etc, but more customisable... eg my mate has is respond to "Jarvis" :lol:
Depending how you have your home networking setup and how you have any automation setup, you shouldnt have to worry too much... I left one system of mine very open and the "worst" thing that happened was someone turned my internet radio on at 3am :lol: I then shut that down but it was fun to test.
I'd buy one in a heartbeart for the bathroom so its easy to control some music in there.I made a google Home assistant with the AIY kit on the MAGPI magazine, its just as good as the assistant on your phone etc, but more customisable... eg my mate has is respond to "Jarvis" :lol:
Depending how you have your home networking setup and how you have any automation setup, you shouldnt have to worry too much... I left one system of mine very open and the "worst" thing that happened was someone turned my internet radio on at 3am :lol: I then shut that down but it was fun to test.
