I’ve enjoyed my home mini the last few years, with two Chromecasts, a Sensi thermometer and a few smart plugs. Controlling those my voice has been handy.
I’ve especially enjoyed the ability to find my phone with my Mini.
But now that it’s dead, what other systems do the same, possibly better?
What is dead? I have a mini that barely listens to me now, is that dead?
I remember I preferred Google since the replies were more verbose, had native integration with my phone (if the minis didn’t hear me, my phone would, esp if I was in the backyard), and I can chain commands together, but some days I miss Alexa. It just works better overall.
From what you’ve said I’m assuming all you’re doing is asking your assistant to turn things off & on. You’re pretty much going to be looking at the Google Assistant, Alexa & Siri for a direct off the shelf replacement. Voice control for a few basic devices like this is on the bottom end of home automation.
What type of phone do you have? That makes a difference.
My opinion (as I’ve been running all 3 for over 5 years) is that Amazon Alexa is better at receiving and completing commands, Google Home is better for answering questions and with people in the home who aren’t as tech savvy, and Siri is better for an overall smarthome IF your devices are compatible.
If you had no issues with Google Home and you’re using less than 5 smart home devices I’d say just pick up another mini.
Android phone.
So is 5 smart home devices around the cut off? If I wanted to do more in the future what should I be looking for?
I mean it completely depends on what you want to do. If you’re simply looking to control stuff via your voice regardless of amount of devices, Google Home or Alexa would both be perfectly fine. It’s when you start looking into automating your smart home devices you can get much more in-depth flexibility with other platforms.
I have around 80 devices and use Home Assistant so I can set up complex automations with various conditions.
Gotcha. I’m only running about ten items now, mostly on timers, and the added voice control that still interacts with my timers has been great, but also new to me this decade.
But I’m hearing that I can keep piling it on Google Home for a few more years until Google discontinues it.
Not at all. I’ve got over 140.
The issue is more what you want them to do and how to want to interface with them.
Gotcha. I had heard that too many on your wifi would be a problem and I should look to a specialized hub or some such.