WHICH SMART HOME ECOSYSTEM?

Amazon Alexa

Alexa remains the GOAT of smart assistants. The number of Alexa-powered Echo devices out there is now in the hundreds of millions, and Alexa’s prowess shows in its accurate responses. And it’s no longer audio-only: the Echo Show range of smart displays is getting better at serving as an effective touch interface, rather than just being voice-controlled with a tacked-on screen. Alexa copes fine with many requests (though localised info remains a weak spot), while we especially like the excellent support for music services like Deezer and Apple Music.

Apple Homekit

Once seen as a part-time lover, Apple’s Homekit is now a serious smart home ecosystem with hundreds of devices supporting it – and, of course, native support on Apple devices via the Home app. As a simple system to use, it can’t be beaten – even device setup is relatively easy. The only letdown is Siri. Now over a decade old, it’s fair to say that Apple’s assistant is drastically underachieving. Basic tasks are fine, but miscommunication is regular and it lacks the finesse of its rivals. Surely Apple is working on something here…?

Google Assistant

While Alexa is still a little ahead for controlling the smart home, Google Assistant’s everyday charm is compelling. What sets it apart is its ability to rely on a certain massive search engine and the info it stores about just about everything. Local bus times? No bother, and it’ll even tell you how long it will take to walk to your stop. Google Assistant is also top-notch with follow-up questions, making it able to be more conversational than Alexa or Siri. Like Alexa, it’s also superb whether you use IOS or Android and appears in stacks of third-party devices.