Google Home - RAIN News

Research finds TV shows can cause up to 19 accidental smart speaker activations a day

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Anna Washenko

The major tech companies making voice assistants all faced consumer backlash in the past several months over privacy issues. While many took steps to give users more control over participating in human review programs, the exposés also revealed that many smart speakers record their users at times when the individual hadn’t uttered a wake word. New research from a group of universities explored the extent to which popular TV shows can accidentally turn on a smart speaker’s microphone. Continue Reading →

Google removes support for Guest Mode from Home smart speakers

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Anna Washenko

Google has several options for audio playback on its Home collection of smart speakers, but one appears to have been axed. The absense is Guest Mode, which lets visitors use Chromecast to play their own content to smart devices without logging onto WiFi. Continue Reading →

Whitehat hackers eavesdropped, scammed passwords through Amazon Echo and Google Home speakers

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Smart speakers have been hit with several scandals over privacy and user protections this year, and now there’s a new, even riskier one unfolding. Whitehat hackers based in Germany developed eight apps for smart speakers that were able to eavesdrop on users and phish their passwords. Continue Reading →

Google Assistant subcontractors are listening to Dutch users’ private conversations

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Amazon recently had its moments in the crosshairs over privacy concerns with Echo devices listening in on users’ conversations. Now Google’s up. A Dutch broadcaster was able to access a thousand recordings through a Google subcontractor, and overheard some things they definitely shouldn’t have. Continue Reading →

Survey: Will listeners switch to music services from their smart speaker brands?

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Smart speakers present a potentially valuable new option for music services to reach listeners. The space poses a particular interest for tech firms operating in both hardware and software, since they can create brand loyalty within audiences who will buy their devices and then continue to provide revenue as subscription listeners. Continue Reading →

Rumor Fact(ory): Apple Music could arrive on Google Home smart speakers soon

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Apple Music may be getting a bigger smart speaker footprint soon. An eagle-eyed reader of MacRumors noticed that Apple’s music streaming service is now listed within the latest update to the Google Home iOS app, but it can’t currently be connected to one of the smart home devices from that product line. Continue Reading →

Amazon dominates U.S. smart speaker device ownership with 70% market share

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Consumer Intelligence Research Partners has shared its latest research into smart speaker ownership in the United States. The total install base for smart speakers in the country at the close of 2018 is 66 million, up from 36 million in 2017. A growing share of the install base has more than one smart speaker, up to 35% in 2018 from 18% in 2017. Continue Reading →

Google Assistant tops smart speaker IQ test from Loup Ventures

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Anna Washenko

Just how smart are smart speakers? Loup Ventures has released the results of its annual Smart Speaker IQ Test, and the report found that Google Assistant is currently the brainiest of the bunch. In a test of 800 questions, Google’s voice platform answered 88% correctly. Continue Reading →

Amazon & Google dominate global smart speaker market; stats broken out in Strategy Analytics report

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Anna Washenko

Market research firm Strategy Analytics has another snapshot of the smart speaker market. The company released a ranking of the top smart speaker models in the United States from a poll of more than 1,000 people during July and August. The results for Amazon look positively rosy, full of potential for Google, and not-too-bright for Apple. Continue Reading →

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Rumor Fact(ory): Google may release a video screen smart speaker this year

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Anna Washenko

Google may be making a big move in its efforts to secure a bigger slice of the smart speaker pie. According to reports in the Nikkei Asian Review, Google is planning a new smart speaker that will have a video screen. If these rumors come to pass, Google could have a product in direct competition with Amazon’s Echo Show in this year’s holiday shopping season. Continue Reading →

Google is gaining ground on Amazon in smart speaker shipments

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Anna Washenko

New market research projects that Amazon will not hold its massive lead over the smart speaker space indefinitely. Strategy Analytics’ latest report expects that Google will pose the most immediate challenge to Amazon and Echo’s dominance. Continue Reading →

Canalys projects an audience of 100 million smart speakers this year

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Anna Washenko

Canalys, a British research firm, has released its latest projections for smart speakers. The company anticipates that the smart speaker installed base will reach 100 million by the end of 2018. By 2020, it estimates the installed base will reach 225 million units. Continue Reading →