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Google's Echo Rival is a 'Dressed-up' Version of Chromecast
Last month, Google announced plans for its upcoming Amazon Echo rival, Google Home, a Wi-Fi enabled personal assistant that enables people to ask Google search queries, manage everyday tasks, enjoy music and entertainment, and more using hands-free "OK Google" voice commands.
Yesterday, a few more details emerged about Google Home, which will potentially go directly up against the smart device Apple is rumored to be working on.
According to technology news site The Information, Google Home will share many of the hardware components of the company's popular internet-connected TV streaming device, Chromecast, relying on the same dual-core ARM-based microprocessor, 4GB of RAM, and a dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi chip.
The similarities are apparently so close between the two devices because the same team responsible for the Chromecast headed up development of the Google Home. As a result, it is being described as "dressed-up version" of the company's existing device, with the addition of a microphone, speaker, plastic top with LED lights, and a fabric or metal bottom.
The Home is also expected to run the same Linux-based OS used on the Chromecast, though Google has discussed powering future versions with its Android mobile platform.
The upshot of all this is that the device could be extremely inexpensive to produce, given that the Chromecast currently sells at $35. That would mean Google being able to significantly undercut the $179 Amazon Echo. Notably, the Chromecast is also one of Google's most successful hardware products, selling 3 million units in the past three years.
Apple's rumored smart home product is a Siri-based device that would include a speaker and microphone that could be used for features like listening to music, getting news headlines, and more. Apple is also planning to introduce an enhanced version of Siri, which the company will open up to outside developers to integrate with their own apps and services.
Apple has reportedly been working on its rival device since before the Amazon Echo debuted in November 2014. Google Home will be available later this year, but it is not known when Apple will be ready to debut its home accessory or how it will fit into the company's existing product lineup.
But given Apple's tendency to place its hardware products at premium price points, consumers are unlikely to see a device as inexpensive as Google appears to be readying for the home.
Yesterday, a few more details emerged about Google Home, which will potentially go directly up against the smart device Apple is rumored to be working on.
According to technology news site The Information, Google Home will share many of the hardware components of the company's popular internet-connected TV streaming device, Chromecast, relying on the same dual-core ARM-based microprocessor, 4GB of RAM, and a dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi chip.
The similarities are apparently so close between the two devices because the same team responsible for the Chromecast headed up development of the Google Home. As a result, it is being described as "dressed-up version" of the company's existing device, with the addition of a microphone, speaker, plastic top with LED lights, and a fabric or metal bottom.
The Home is also expected to run the same Linux-based OS used on the Chromecast, though Google has discussed powering future versions with its Android mobile platform.
The upshot of all this is that the device could be extremely inexpensive to produce, given that the Chromecast currently sells at $35. That would mean Google being able to significantly undercut the $179 Amazon Echo. Notably, the Chromecast is also one of Google's most successful hardware products, selling 3 million units in the past three years.
Apple's rumored smart home product is a Siri-based device that would include a speaker and microphone that could be used for features like listening to music, getting news headlines, and more. Apple is also planning to introduce an enhanced version of Siri, which the company will open up to outside developers to integrate with their own apps and services.
Apple has reportedly been working on its rival device since before the Amazon Echo debuted in November 2014. Google Home will be available later this year, but it is not known when Apple will be ready to debut its home accessory or how it will fit into the company's existing product lineup.
But given Apple's tendency to place its hardware products at premium price points, consumers are unlikely to see a device as inexpensive as Google appears to be readying for the home.
Tags: Amazon Echo, Google Home
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39 months ago
"The upshot of all this is that the device could be extremely inexpensive to produce, given that the Chromecast currently sells at $35."
... because Google's way of profiting from this device is capturing and selling user behavior data.
... because Google's way of profiting from this device is capturing and selling user behavior data.
39 months ago
Wait.....so that $35 streaming stick has 4 GB of RAM inside it, and yet Apple was so cheap that they couldn't be bothered with putting more than 2GB RAM in its iPhones and iPads that cost hundreds more??
39 months ago
Looks like an air freshener.
Would have been perfect for this April Fools ad that Google ran.
Also, re-using components from the Chromecast is just common scents..
I'll let myself out.
39 months ago
I'm gonna hold out till it does something useful. I don't care what the weather in Paris on Tuesday is nor do I need the latest sports scores.
..."OK Google, wash the dishes"... "I'm sorr..." "No excuses! JUST DO IT!!"
..."OK Google, wash the dishes"... "I'm sorr..." "No excuses! JUST DO IT!!"
39 months ago
I think it's silly to call this a dressed up chromecast. Just because it shares some components?
"The upshot of all this is that the device could be extremely inexpensive to produce, given that the Chromecast currently sells at $35."
... because Google's way of profiting from this device is capturing and selling user behavior data.
39 months ago
"The upshot of all this is that the device could be extremely inexpensive to produce, given that the Chromecast currently sells at $35."
... because Google's way of profiting from this device is capturing and selling user behavior data.
Nothing Wrong with that - fits in with Googles business model - sharing anonymous user data.
39 months ago
"The upshot of all this is that the device could be extremely inexpensive to produce, given that the Chromecast currently sells at $35."
... because Google's way of profiting from this device is capturing and selling user behavior data.
This is news to me. When did Google start selling user data?
Nothing Wrong with that - fits in with Googles business model - sharing anonymous user data.
Small correction Stella - Google collects user data, aggregates it, and uses it to sell anonymous ad space. Advertisers don't know who is displaying their ads. Google really doesn't share it's data, in fact, they guard it as if their livelihood depended on it. Cuz it does. But you're right, nothing wrong with that.I like the Chromecast. I have 3. If GH is as reasonably priced as it's siblings, I'll pick one up just to see what it can do. I'm really not into the whole IoT-Home Automation, but I do like new tech.
39 months ago
In the same way an iPod Touch is a dressed down version of the iPhone. Sometimes you don't have to reinvent the wheel.
I hope it becomes a good product, I like the idea of a home assistant and Siri on the iPhone while good is severely lacking in what it's capable of doing.
I hope it becomes a good product, I like the idea of a home assistant and Siri on the iPhone while good is severely lacking in what it's capable of doing.
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