How Microsoft’s New Invoke Smart Speaker Helps You Compete
Better late than never, right? Microsoft is finally poised to compete in the smart speaker market after unveiling its Cortana-based version of the Amazon Echo earlier this year . The Harman Kardon Invoke was released on Sunday with high-quality sound and stylish design for $ 199.
But how does this compare to the competition from Amazon, Google, Apple, and Sonos? Let’s figure it out.
Microsoft’s Harman Kardon Invoke ($ 199)
Here’s what you need to know about the latest smart speakers in an ever-growing market.
That he has
Invoke’s biggest selling point is the sound quality, with three 1.75 “midrange drivers and three 0.5” tweeters delivering 360-degree sound. It lacks a subwoofer, but is compensated for by a passive radiator for low frequencies. In its review, The Verge notes that it sounds better than the Amazon Echo and Google Home, but not quite as good as the Sonos One. Apple claims its HomePod speaker will also offer superior audio quality, but we won’t know for sure until it launches later this year.
Microsoft’s new speaker also boasts a pretty nice design. It is similar to the cylindrical Echo, but tapers off at the top with a metal speaker grill that covers most of the cabinet. It also has touch controls at the top, including the ability to pause music playback by simply tapping the device. In addition, there is an additional port if you want to connect it to a more powerful speaker, as well as Bluetooth support.
As for Cortana, Microsoft’s AI assistant performs well, according to The Verge, but can’t compete with more advanced services from Google and Amazon. Hopefully this will improve with future software updates.
What he doesn’t have
Cortana also has some drawbacks that will make you think twice before purchasing Invoke. It really only works with Microsoft apps for features like checking your calendar or getting reminders. Invoke also restricts you to only one account (at least for now), so multiple family members or roommates can’t check their calendars on the same speaker.
The Verge notes in its review that call quality on Invoke was quite poor on both sides. At the moment, the speaker only supports Skype calling and you can’t even use it to make calls from your phone via Bluetooth.
Invoke also doesn’t come with a discount. At $ 199, it’s a lot more expensive than the flagship Echo ($ 99) and Google Home ($ 129). It’s still cheaper than the HomePod ($ 349), but at the same price as the Sonos One, which runs the Amazon Alexa AI.
Who should buy it?
If you’re an audiophile who already owns Microsoft’s app ecosystem, this speaker is for you. Otherwise, there are cheaper options from Amazon and Google, or higher quality audio for the same price from Sonos.
Sonos One ($ 199)
Speaking of Sonos, here’s a little more about the company’s first smart speaker: the $ 199 Sonos One .
That he has
Like Invoke, the Sonos One boasts great sound, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to the company known for its speakers. The design is also attractive and includes a physical button to mute the built-in microphone, although it’s slightly larger than Microsoft’s model.
The Sonos One should also get some great software features in the future, including support for Google Assistant (it only works with Amazon Alexa AI at the moment), but the software is actually pretty limited at this point.
What he doesn’t have
Out of the box, the Sonos One is a bit disappointing as a smart speaker. Alexa isn’t even enabled by default, and setting it up is a multi-step process that involves syncing your Amazon and Sonos accounts. Gizmodo also notes that it does not yet support standard Alexa features like voice calls, sending text messages, and setting reminders, although Sonos says they will come in a future update.
Who should buy it?
Audiophiles looking for a standalone smart speaker with great sound should consider the Sonos One. But if you already have a solid speaker, you might be better off hooking it up with a cheaper option like the Echo Dot or Google Mini .
Amazon Echo ($ 99)
Amazon continues to add new devices to its line of smart speakers, but the Echo remains the gold standard. Here’s how the 2017 model compares to the competition.
That he has
The biggest improvement on the new Echo is the far-field microphones, which have been redesigned for better voice recognition. This should make it easier to communicate with Alexa. Amazon also redesigned the exterior, giving it a squat shape and a variety of fabric or wood finishes to blend in with the decor.
Alexa has become the industry standard for smart home speakers, so it supports most skills and gadgets. Amazon has also added the ability to sync multiple echoes together for a wireless system, and sells three of the $ 100 speakers for just $ 250 when you buy them together.
What he doesn’t have
Echo is limited to what Alexa can do, but in most cases it shouldn’t be an issue. It lacks some of the features offered by more expensive Amazon devices like the $ 150 Echo Plus, which has a built-in smart home hub in case the smart home gadgets you buy don’t work directly with the Echo. There’s also the Echo Show ($ 229) with a built-in touchscreen, but you won’t get any of that from the competition anyway.
Who should buy it?
If you are looking for a simple standalone smart speaker with normal sound, this is the one for you. If you’ve already bought from the Google, Microsoft, or Apple ecosystems, it’s worth considering their respective options, and if you need something extra, try one of Amazon’s more trendy models.
Google Home ($ 129)
Google’s answer to Amazon Echo offers some great features thanks to the Google Assistant. Here’s what you need to know.
That he has
Google Home wipes out the Amazon Echo when it comes to smart intelligence, according to a Gizmodo review , although it’s still far from a perfect product. Google Assistant understands natural language better and understands context, so you can ask a follow-up question without repeating yourself.
Google Home also works with Chromecast. This way, you can tell it to play the video and it will cast to any TV in the house with a dongle connected or built-in Cast support. The same goes for any speaker with Google Cast audio support.
The design is fun and playful, with interchangeable bases in different colors and fabrics, even if it looks a bit like an air freshener.
What he doesn’t have
Google Home does have some software limitations on what it can do, although Google has reliably continued to update it with new skills and features. Sound quality is also quite poor at high volumes, but sounds fine in most cases.
Who should buy it?
For buyers of the smartest speaker on the market, this is the best option. Google Home is also a great choice if you already use a Chromecast for your TV and want to keep everything in your home in sync.
Apple HomePod ($ 349)
Finally, there is the HomePod. Apple’s long-awaited response to the Echo won’t arrive until December, so we don’t know how well it will perform. Here’s what we know about the upcoming smart speaker.
That he has
Apple put a lot of emphasis on audio quality when it introduced the HomePod earlier this year. The loudspeaker is equipped with seven tweeters, “precision acoustic horns” and a subwoofer. Verge actually tested one of them back in June in a controlled demo with specially selected songs and said it sounds great, but the quality may differ in the real world.
The HomePod also contains six microphones for picking up your voice, so hopefully it won’t have a problem recognizing commands. Although, again, no one has yet been able to test this in the wild.
What he doesn’t have
The fact that HomePod relies on Siri is a bit troubling; Apple’s AI continues to lag behind the competition, even if the company says it is working on updating Siri for the speaker.
In terms of design, it is nice but not particularly attractive and comes in black or white. The $ 350 price tag might scare some people off as well, but that’s an Apple tax for you.
Should you buy this?
If you’re fully involved with the Apple ecosystem, HomePod is the smart speaker for you. If not, you’re probably better off with something else, although perhaps Apple will prove we’re wrong when the HomePod finally launches.