When comparing Google Home vs Apple HomePod, the Slant community recommends Apple HomePod for most people. In the question“What are the best smart speakers?” Apple HomePod is ranked 1st while Google Home is ranked 2nd. The most important reason people chose Apple HomePod is:
If you put two HomePods in the room, they will automatically synchronize and create an immersive sound. You could also get more and place them across the whole house. They will communicate through AirPlay 2 and let you listen to your music all around your home.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Always listens to your voice with "OK Google" service
Google Home doesn't require a button to be pressed in order to use it, it always listens to your voice. Just say the words "OK Google" to get started. It is possible that Google will add more of these 'action words' in the future. OK Google can also be found on mobile Google Devices and integrates well with Google Now. Users of the Google Now will find the Google Home ecosystem very familiar.
Pro Excellent (conversational) voice commands with Google Assistant
Google Assistant will be the voice-assistant software running on Home and Google has already shown tremendous improvements compared to competitors such as Alexa and Siri. In a demo that was shown by Google, Assistant can manage to understand and respond to conversational voice commands. That means that Home will be able to follow up on previous questions which will make voice commands more natural and smooth.
Pro Design is customizable
The bottom half of Google Home can be replaced by a different shell, with a different texture or different color. This allows the Google Home to be personalized to an extent and fit better design-wise with specific interiors.
Pro Offers support for multi-room audio
Google Home works well with extra devices or any speaker that is connected via Google Cast. Home syncs the audio between all devices for a smooth, multi-room audio experience. This essentially allows Google Home to play music from any speaker you'd like.
Pro Doubles as a great portable speaker system
Google has implemented a quality speaker system that should make Google Home a powerful speaker for music with reportedly strong bass and clear highs. You can also connect your own speaker or stereo system via Bluetooth or an audiojack: the choice is entirely up to you.
Pro Controls other smart home devices
Google Home will offer native support with smart home system Nest, but will also support other third party products that have yet to be announced. Is is unclear so far how easy it is for developers to integrate Google Home into their apps, but Google has announced support for it.
Pro Far-field microphones can hear you from a far distance
According to Google, Home will feature far-field microphones that will allow you to be heard from a far distance.
Pro Also streams music from Google Play Music
As Home is a Google product, integration with Play Music isn't that surprising. However, it makes Home the only home-assistant to offer support for the online streaming service which is definitely a plus. However, other smart home devices could possibly add Google Play Music in an update.
Pro You can easily combine several HomePods into a setup
If you put two HomePods in the room, they will automatically synchronize and create an immersive sound. You could also get more and place them across the whole house. They will communicate through AirPlay 2 and let you listen to your music all around your home.
Pro The sound quality will be great in any room
You can put the speaker in a large or a small room, in the corner or right in the center, the sound quality will be amazing nevertheless. The HomePod analyzes the layout of the room and adjusts the playback automatically to give you a great listening experience.
Pro The voice recognition works very well
Siri recognizes commands that you give from across the room, with music blasting at top volumes.
Pro It can suggest music based on your preferences
You can teach the HomePod about the music you like and don't like, and it will try to give you recommendations. You can just say “Hey Siri, I like this song,” or "Hey Siri, play something different."
Pro It can do a wide variety of tasks
You can give the speaker commands to control your lights, the thermostat, the AC, etc. You can also ask Siri about the weather, traffic, news, and much more.
Cons
Con Hasn't been released yet
Google Home will be released sometime in 2016, but is currently not available. As the product has not yet hit the shelves, reviewers and users haven't had the chance to take an in-depth look at the product itself and its features. The sound system and Google Assistant currently haven't been tested by the public.
Con Third-party support isn't established yet
As Google Assistant and Google Home are new systems, there isn't much support for third-party apps yet. We'd imagine this will only get better when Home is released, but competitors currently have an advantage here.
Con Doesn't offer support for Amazon Prime Music
As Google Home will be the number one competitor to Amazon Echo, the music streaming service from Amazon Prime will not be available on Google Home. However, support could be included in a future update.
Con It's very expensive
Most popular smart speakers from Google and Amazon cost under $200, while the HomePod is considerably more expensive.
Con It has to be plugged in at all times
The HomePod doesn't have a battery, it needs to be plugged into a power outlet to work.