Can You Have Alexa and Google Home in the Same House?

Google Home on white counter with laptop in the backGoogle Home on white counter with laptop in the back

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Both Amazon Alexa and Google technologies are convenient and easy to use in any home environment. With all of the advanced features that are available in each device, it can be hard to choose between the two.

Can you have Alexa and Google Home in the same house? Yes. Both Alexa and Google Home devices can be used and carry out their full functions in the same house. They can even be located in the same room without interfering with each other.

It would be easy to assume that since Alexa and Google Home have different technologies they must be used separately. However, this could not be further from the truth. In fact, most people find that using both together is better than just one.

Amazon Alexa vs Google Home

Google Home:

  • Responds to voice commands
  • Conversation phrases
  • Virtual assistant

Alexa:

  • Responds to voice commands
  • Direct phrases
  • Virtual assistant

Google Home devices are advertised as “hands-free” assistants, with plenty of advanced features to back that up. Users can say voice commands to the device such as “play my music playlist” or “play Friends on Netflix on my TV.”

In addition to the basic tasks this device can carry out, it can also keep track of things for you like scheduled events and reminders. Google Home is very conversational, so you can speak to it like a person in complete sentences and the device will understand.

As a result, you can ask questions to your Google Home device as you would in the Google search engine. In just a few seconds, the speaker will spit out the best answer to your question as if you are having a real conversation.

Google Home is compatible with over 5,000 smart home devices, making it a valuable addition to any smart home.

Alexa, on the other hand, is a virtual assistant that was created by Amazon. When the voice technology of Alexa was invented, it was integrated into the Echo Dot smart speakers. After further development, it became a stand-alone device that responds to voice commands.

Unlike Google Home, Amazon Alexa responds better to direct commands instead of conversational speech. When using Alexa, you will get the best results by using short, basic phrases that will trigger a response.

Alexa can play music, make to-do lists, set alarms, and stream audio. It can also play news channels, podcasts, and give updates on weather and traffic from the sound of your voice alone.

To activate an Alexa device, users will say a special word at the beginning of their phrase. For example, to alert your Alexa that you would like to pause the TV, you would say “Alexa, pause the TV.” The device would not respond to “pause the TV” alone because the user did not wake Alexa up.

Both the Google Home and Amazon Alexa devices can be a great asset to your home, making your everyday life more convenient. Luckily, you do not have to choose between the two because they can exist together in the same home.

Using Alexa and Google Home Together

Since Alexa and Google Home are both able to pick up on the same voice commands, it is very simple to use both of them at the same time. These devices can even be placed in the same room and work together to complete tasks.

How To Use Alexa and Google Home Together:

  • Use a third-party smart home app to establish controls
  • Place them in different areas of the home
  • Use them for unique purposes that best suit them

To set up and use both of these devices smoothly, you can use a third-party smart home app. Some of the most popular applications that can be used with Google Home and Alexa are Stringify, Yeti, and IFTTT. This software helps users to establish strings of voice commands that will be programmed into each device.

After you have tried out the technology of both the Alexa and Google Home devices, you will probably find that they are each great for specific tasks in different areas of your home.

The Alexa is perfect for close quarters or quiet areas where children will be doing homework because there are parental control settings that will give parents peace of mind when they are not able to supervise.

Google Home, on the other hand, has been applauded for its smooth speaker system. This device is great for open areas such as living rooms and kitchens where the user would like to play music that won’t be drowned out by other noises in the house.

The Easiest Way To Manage Alexa and Google Home Devices

The Best Way To Manage Both Devices:

  • Assign specific tasks to each device to avoid interference
  • Limit voice controls to only one device and mute the other
  • Place them in different areas of the home altogether
  • Assign only one phrase to each task instead of multiple similar ones

While both Google Home and Alexa can be used in the same area of the house, there are a few tips you can follow to make sure that the devices will not clash when they are being used so closely.

If you will be placing both devices in the same room, the best way to manage both of them is to assign special tasks to each one so they do not get confused.

For example, you can have your Google Home controlling the music in your living room, while your Alexa controls the TV functions. However, if both devices were programmed to turn on and navigate through Netflix, you might run into some issues between the two when they’re trying to do the same thing.

Manage them with Mute

One of the easiest ways to manage each device in the same area is to assign voice tasks to one of them and completely mute it on the other. So, if you ask what the weather is tomorrow, only one device will answer you instead of both of them trying to talk over each other.

While setting up the phrases you want your devices to respond to on whatever third-party smartphone app you will be using, it is important that you choose the most straightforward commands that feel natural for you to express daily.

Additionally, you should make sure that these commands are assigned to only one task instead of multiple phrases for the same control. For example, if you program three similar phrases that are all linked to turning on the lights, you can overcomplicate the process.

Alternatively, Google Home and Alexa can be used in different areas of the house to avoid any interference. You might find that the Google Home works best in your downstairs living room, while the Alexa might be better suited for your bedroom upstairs.

This way, you can teach both devices the same phrases and use them seamlessly as you walk through different areas of the house. To make it even easier on yourself, you can assign the same phrases to each device for tasks like turning on the TV, playing music, and setting a reminder, even though they are separated.

In conclusion, the technological advancements that come with both the Google Home and Amazon Alexa devices are extremely convenient and user-friendly. The best part is that you will never have to choose between just one of these devices since both of them can work together with little to no interference.

So, after reading through this article about all of the wonderful features that you can add to your home with these devices, creating your own smart home will be easier than ever. The only thing you have left to decide is when you will be purchasing them.

Related Questions

What is the average price of a Google Home compared to that of an Amazon Alexa?

A Google Home device retails at the price of $129.00 on the Google store website. Additionally, Google offers a special 10% off discount to students that purchase the Google Home device. The Amazon Alexa can be purchased for just one dollar more at $129.99 directly from amazon.com.

How can I set up my Google Home and Amazon Alexa devices with the third-party smart home app of my choice?

After the app of your choice is downloaded, you will need to properly set it up with your Google Home or Alexa device. To do this, it will require creating an account on either Alexa or Google and signing in. From there, you will need to give the app permission to connect with your device and use it to establish control phrases.

Can Google Home and Alexa be used to control each other?

While both Google Home and Alexa can be used in the same home for the same tasks, they are not able to actually control each other. They are, however, compatible with thousands of smart home devices and can be used to control almost anything in your home.

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