Google Home Vs. Amazon Echo: Google's New Device Costs $129 And Goes On Sale Today

Google Home, Amazon Echo’s rival, will be available on Nov. 4 for $129, which is less than the Echo, which sells for $179.

CEO Sundar Pichai said during its hardware event that “the goal is to build a personal Google for each and every user.”

Google Home works just like the Echo. It has built-in microphones that can listen to voice commands, can control smart home devices, play your favorite music and answer any questions you have using the “OK, Google” voice command.

Compared to Amazon’s Echo, Google Home is touch-sensitive and can be used to change the volume or play music that is playing. It also has three speakers, which Google calls them “extrusion speakers.” The device is white, but the bottom base can be swapped out, and comes in various colors. Google says it got its design from wine bottles and candles and it will over seven different bases for the Home.

The assistant also supports music streaming from Google Play Music, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, TuneIn and iHeart Radio. Since it’s powered by Google search engine you can ask for music like, “play that Deftones song from Koi No Yokan."

You can easily choose a default music service, so you don’t have to tell Google you want a song to play “on Spotify.” Google Home will also support podcast listening since its a Cast device, so you can stream music from any other Cast-enabled device.

A new feature called “My Day” will let you see your upcoming events, reminders, weather and traffic updates. Google Home can also find things like sports scores, trivia, and read the news.

Just like the Amazon Alexa platform, Google Home will control connected home devices. As of right now, it currently works with Nest Thermostat, SmartThings, Philips and IFTTT.