INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Authors: JordanSmart speakers, virtual assistants or smart home speakers, whatever name you decide to call them, they're pretty cool,
unbelievably handy and aren't going anywhere anytime soon.In fact recent reports reveal the best smart speakers are now owned by one in six
speakers in our guide below has something called an artificial intelligence (or AI) inside of them
All of the tasks above (and many, many more) are carried out with help from the AI and without it, the Amazon Echo, Google Home and Apple
look at our guide below and find one that suits your current set-up, your budget and the aesthetics of your home.Remember: Be sure to keep
checking back, as we'll be updating this list with the best smart speakers, as well as the top rumors of the new speakers to expect soon at
the end.Apple HomePodSuperb sound, so-so smart speakerGreat soundNice, minimal designSiri accuracy is highSiri scope is limitedNo Bluetooth
streamingApple Music neededThe highly-anticipated Apple HomePod finally entered the smart speaker battle for your bookshelf in early
yourself when you want to splurge on a new Apple product: how much of a premium should you pay for owning a device that fits only seamlessly
into the Apple ecosystemWhen we reviewed the device we were torn because we were really reviewing two things at once: how the HomePod weighs
up as a premium speaker and how it fares as a smart home hub.In the former category, the HomePod is excellent, it boasts incredible sound
and a very intuitive set-up
But in the latter Siri is only middling in its implementation, and the fact that you're not able to break out of the Apple ecosystem for
lookLower priceNew Alexa featuresMore of the sameAlexa app could be betterNo more rotating dialIf you're after a smart speaker that's
affordable and sounds good quality enough to play your favorite tracks, the latest version of the Amazon Echo is your safest bet
In fact it's our current top pick for the best smart speaker on the market right now
think you should be using it to replace your hifi, but it's a really great place to start if you want to try out what the smart home life is
like.Amazon has also improved the Echo's style since the first version was released in 2015
The new fabric finishes will suit most living rooms better than the brushed aluminium of the original.The only downside is the Echo doesn't
have the neat volume dial of Amazon's Echo Plus
It's also worth mentioning that Alexa often doesn't seem quite as intelligent as Google Assistant
At the price, though, it's a great option that should suit most people's needs
ecosystemMissing Google's own servicesRequires precise phrasingGoogle Cast support needs workFor starters, you might never appreciate just
how much music is on YouTube without buying a Google Home
months that number will grow even more.But we're torn when it comes to recommending the Google Home
with Amazon's Echo in the future, but for now the Google Home is simply a smart novelty with access to YouTube Music, built-in Google Cast
landlines in the UK! This was a feature unveiled at last year's Google IO, and has now finally made its way into the home.Ultimate Ears
MegablastOne of the best-looking smart speakers aroundWaterproof and robustPortableGreat soundStill awaiting key featuresExpensiveCharging
dock sold separatelyUltimate Ears is an audio brand that's known for its great quality and sturdy Bluetooth speakers
sounding portable speakers around with the Megablast
and durability of the excellent UE Boom speaker with the smarts of an Echo
a straightforward smart speaker, its price may be too high.The Amazon Echo is significantly less expensive than this speaker
supportGood valueWeak sound performanceIn many ways, the Home Mini is similar to the Amazon Echo Dot
the Google Home Mini will do the trick for many
touchscreenCompetent smart home hubSpeaker sounds shallowVideo calling limitedAlexa needs some schoolingThe Echo Show, like the Echo before
it, is more of a fun, ancillary device rather than a true necessity or smart home hub in its own right.The addition of the 7-inch
touchscreen is unique, and helps separate the Show from the crowd
brings together the best of both ecosystems
The one downside is that it initially launched without Spotify voice support, but this has now been remedied
One could eventually end up being the perfect Alexa speaker
shame that it launched without support for the most popular streaming service in the world, Spotify, but kudos to Sonos for bringing out the
The speaker is now just as effective as an Amazon Echo at playing your music, and sounds much better than Amazon's own speaker
external speaker means the Dot is genuinely a great way of listening to music around the house, but its internal speaker is also
skills, then the future may be just around the corner.JBL Link 300 Smart SpeakerThis Google Home speaker kicks serious bassGood sound, good
bassPhysical buttonsGreat valueTonal balance too warmCan't make callsMediocre voice detectionThe JBL Link 300 is a great sounding Google
Home speaker that gets loud and pumps out loads of bass
While not everyone will like the warm tonal balance, the speaker represents good value compared to the competition
For the money, you get a good-sounding speaker that gets loud, drops serious bass and features handy physical controls
Voice recognition is average, as we have to shout at the speaker when music is playing loudly
wants to rule your home with new smart hub functionsGood Alexa voice controlImproved audioOne-box smart home solutionSound could be
betterSmart hub features need workThe Amazon Echo Plus is the higher-end choice among its tower speakers
bassier than the standard Echo, particularly useful for music
Does it sound as good as the Sonos One No
Alexa is a work in progress
as the most feature-rich voice assistant.But the strength of the Echo range, especially at the lower price tiers, still makes these
top-of-the-line models a harder sell
The Echo Dot has comparable smarts for a fraction of the price, it just doesn't sound as good
Just be aware that more economical options may, for the time being at least, suit your needs just as well.Ultimate Ears BlastPortable
Smart speaker second.Excellent sound qualityGood battery lifeFor home and on the goAmazon's walled gardenAlexa useless without Wi-FiPoor
voice recognitionThe UE Blast is a portable Bluetooth speaker first and a smart speaker second
The inclusion of Alexa makes the Blast useful in the home when paired with the optional Power Up dock - but, even when you're away from
Wi-Fi, the Blast is still an excellent-sounding Bluetooth speaker.The UE Blast is a slightly confusing product as its tries to be both a
smart and portable speaker
versatile video deviceLovely form factorClear videoVideo croppingPricier than EchoIn our opinion, the Amazon Echo Spot is the best-designed
The design is great - it's available in black and white - and we can easily see the Spot being used in the bedroom, kitchen or even on a
Spot to replace the Echo Dot
The Amazon Echo Spot is a little more expensive than the new Echo, though, and in turn much more expensive than an Echo Dot.This is because
of the addition of the screen
While we still haven't seen that killer Skill for the screen, it does enhance the look of the Spot and opens up the possibilities for it
Amazon Echo Spot will become an absolute must have.What could be coming soonThey're all of the best smart speakers on the market right now,
number of other companies, including some of the biggest names in tech, are also working on their own smart home audio products
Whether they shake-up the market or turn out to be a load of hot air remains to be seen.But in the meantime, here are just a few of the
the market that already allow you to connect your Spotify account
But that doesn't mean the popular streaming service can't make its own product to compete with the biggest names in tech.Rumors suggest
Spotify has been working on its own voice search interface, but it hasn't yet lifted the lid on a speaker that could compete with the likes
working on not one but two smart speakers.Based on a report from Digitimes, Facebook may be looking to jump into smart speaker market with
announced and be available to buy
at CES, lots of manufacturers were boasting of voice assistant integration; Alexa and Google Assistant found their way into cars, bathroom
mirrors, and even smoke alarms.While that may sound a little gimmicky, it actually solves one of the major niggling points of the smart
speakers.KX4sNHQrCh8aeDUv5QyvTh.jpg#
