[OPLIN 4cast] OPLIN 4cast #519: The biggest battle in tech has begun

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OPLIN 4cast #519: The biggest battle in tech has begun
December 7th, 2016

[image: Chat bubbles crowded together on dark background template] The tech
giants are at it again, in a brand-new arena. This time, the competition
isn't websites, tablets or phones; it's personal assistants. With the
success of the Amazon Echo,
<https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X4WHP5E?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=161175221940&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8653658881537005867&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_5bkerg09re_e_yac_yfmrw4>
a smart speaker that answers voice commands, plays music, and controls
smart homes, it was inevitable that competitors would emerge. However, when
one starts examining this rivalry just a little more closely, it's not too
difficult to realize that the real game isn't about personal assistants;
it's really about who is going to control the voice interface. While this
race perhaps began with Apple's Siri <http://www.apple.com/ios/siri/>,
Amazon and Google may be taking the final lap. Right now, these two giants
are fighting it out for holiday shopping dollars.
- Google Home vs. Amazon Echo: Alexa takes round 1
<https://www.cnet.com/news/google-home-vs-amazon-echo/> [CNET] "For now,
the Amazon Echo beats the Google Home 2-1 and wins the battle in this
exciting new category of devices. Undoubtedly, although this first battle
is won, the competition is far from over. The Home will integrate with more
smart home platforms, more Google services, and get better and better at
understanding context as a conversational assistant. Just don't expect
Alexa to sit idly by as Google Home improves."
- Forget personal assistants, The real battle is for voice UIs
<https://medium.com/@gigastacey/forget-personal-assistants-the-real-battle-is-for-voice-uis-e86697fc82d1#.2b3pybngg>
[Medium] "If this was a fight to be the digital butler of choice then I
would bet on Google. In reality, I think the fight today is about something
much simpler. It’s about who will control the voice user interface. Voice
is the natural interface for connected devices that often have no screen to
touch or keyboard to type with."
- The voice-operated future is upon us: Logged On
<http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2016/10/the_voice-operated_future_is_here.html>
[NJ.com] "Amazon has a lead in the home automation market, but Google will
certainly come on strong. With the Google Home much cheaper, it's a battle
to watch this holiday shopping season. "
- Google Home Vs. Amazon Echo: Everything You Need To Know
<http://www.forbes.com/sites/aarontilley/2016/10/04/google-home-vs-amazon-echo/#5a35af925963>
[Forbes]
"But Echo also terrified Google. The tech giant spent years building
intelligent voice assistants for phone and tablets, and now suddenly here's
Amazon  stealing its thunder. So last May it announced Google Home, its own
voice-enabled smart speaker."

*Articles from Ohio Web Library <http://ohioweblibrary.org>:*

   - The biggest technology companies believe we are on the brink of a new
   tech revolution
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=32U1244949810CTM>
   [Charlie Rose, Norah O'Donnell,, CBS This Morning, Jun 02, 2016]
   - Google Home, Amazon Echo mix convenience with creepiness
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cmh&AN=2W62588427447>
[Wolverton,
   Troy, San Jose Mercury News (CA), Nov 11, 2016]
   - After Google Home and Amazon Echo, it's Apple's turn
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=J0E344101701216>
   [baig at usatoday.com, @edbaig, USA TODAY, USA Today, 07347456, MAY 19,
   2016]

------------------------------
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