The voice control wars have begun in earnest with the announcement by distributor Capitol that it has added Google Home to its line card. The voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant joins Amazon Echo as voice control available through traditional distribution sales channels.
The announcement by Capitol begs the question: Why buy voice control from your distributor?
There are several reasons why integrators should purchase their voice control systems from a distributor vs. directly online, such as:
- The distributor will have the product in stock
- It will likely have shipping discounts in place
- It will have order tracking on the shipment via your regular account
- The pricing will be competitive
“The Google Assistant on Google Home is the best example of how artificial intelligence [AI] technologies are revolutionizing the Connected Home experience at every level,” says Curt Hayes, President and CFO, Capitol. “As we’ve seen with Android, Chrome and the world’s most popular search engine, Google is more than adept at conquering every category it enters, and this will only spell success for Connected Home dealers and custom specialists.”
With the Google Assistant, Google Home provides hands-free help while also featuring an integrated high-excursion speaker for enjoying music and more. Just start with, “Ok Google” to enjoy music, get answers straight from Google, manage everyday tasks, and easily control smart devices, such as the Nest Learning Thermostat. With the power of Google’s Natural Language Processing, the Google Assistant on Google Home allows users to speak in a casual, conversational tone.
Adds Hayes: “One of the best Google Home features is that its usefulness will continue to expand as new partners are added, making it the ultimate future-proof assistant. It’s one of the best and most affordable investments for dealers and consumers alike.”
