Planning to buy Google Home, Amazon Echo or any other smart speaker? 7 questions to ask before buying

There’s a flurry of activity in the smart speaker market in India. Google recently marked its presence in the segment armed with two new devices, Google Home and Google Home Mini. On the other hand, Amazon has been active in the segment with its Echo range of smart speakers. Yet, there are more questions than answers – ironical as smart speakers have all the responses – about how to make the best use of them. Or is it actually worth buying a smart speaker and if you do then how does it make life better? Buying a smart speaker is just the beginning and if you really want to be ‘smart’ then there’s a host of things you need to consider. Here we list out some of those things:
1. There can be language and accent issues : While it’s all well and good to seek information and ask questions to smart speakers, there is a language barrier. Don’t go expecting the smart devices to understand the local accent to talk to you in your native language.
2. You need strong Wi-Fi connectivity : No Wi-Fi? Don’t even bother thinking about a smart speaker then as they’re completely useless without them. So keep in mind that a good, secure and fast Wi-Fi connection is the first step in going smart.
3. It is overall an expensive proposition (so far) : If you’re looking to buy a smart speaker just for music, then it’s fine. However, if you really want to make optimum utilization of a smart speaker then be prepared to shell out some serious bucks as IoT-powered devices cost a lot. For example, a smart bulb from Phillips which works well both with Google Home and Amazon Alexa costs Rs 2,500. And this is just one bulb so you can gauge the cost of equipping the entire house with smart devices.
4. The ecosystem is still a work-in-progress : Fascinating as they might be, smart speakers are still not a completely developed product category. There aren’t enough products available in the market that will be compatible with smart speakers. Companies across the spectrum are still in the early stage of adoption, so waiting for a while might be a better option for some buyers.
5. You need apps to make it all work : For any smart device to run, you will in all probability need an app. At times, using apps can get a bit overbearing. Smart speakers don’t run without an app and neither do smart lights or other devices. So if you have an aversion to apps, then going smart might not be the best option.
6. There are privacy concerns : All companies with smart speakers assure you about data safety but we live in an era where your personal data is the most valuable currency for tech giants. One can’t be sure if Alexa or Google are snooping in without you knowing. Think twice before buying one as you will have to forego a lot of privacy while using a smart speaker.
7. Be prepared to share personal data : Do remember that every time you use a smart home device or a speaker you are giving away personal data. For instance, if you tell Google Home where your work place is then that’s information that is just ‘out there’. Of course, there’s a great convenience value attached to it but at what cost? The more information you share with a smart device, the smarter it becomes.