Google’s £129 home voice speaker hots up market

Google Home, the tech giant’s voice-controlled smart speaker to rival Amazon’s Echo, will launch in the UK on 6 April, the company has said.

The small £129 speaker, which is controlled by using the phrase “OK, Google”, utilises Google Search as well as Maps and Translate software to answer queries and provide information.

Google Home owners will also be able to use the device to control other smart home products, including light bulbs and thermostats, as well as TVS and other speakers connected using Google’s Chromecast devices.

Artificially intelligent voice assistants have become increasingly popular, with Samsung announcing their own take on the subject, Bixby, last week to rival Amazon’s Alexa, Microsoft’s Cortana and Apple’s Siri. which are already in use.