AI POWERED VOICE ASSISTANTS

AMAZON ALEXA VS CORTANA VS GOOGLE ASSISTANT VS SIRI

Written by: Chirag Kawa

December 3, 2021.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................................................2
VOICE ACCURACY AND SPEED .............................................................................................................................3
FEATURES AND CAPABILITIES ..............................................................................................................................4
ECOSYSTEM INTEGRATION ...................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSIONS / VERDICT .......................................................................................................................................6
RECOMMENDATIONS ...............................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCE ................................................................................................................................................................8
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INTRODUCTION
Voice assistants, powered by artificial intelligence, interact with users in natural language and

can answer questions, facilitate web searches, and respond to basic commands. The use of this

technology has been growing; in 2017, nearly one-half of US adults reported using an assistant,

most commonly through their smartphones.

Personal assistants such as Alexa, Cortana, Google Assistant and Siri have gained a huge market

in recent years. It is installed not only in each smart home speaker, but also in devices with their

own functionality and strengths, such as mobile phones and tablets.

Alexa vs. Cortana vs. Google Assistant vs. Siri, which one is best for you? As if handling our

own relationships weren't already difficult enough, now we have to worry about talking to

artificial people as well if we want to take advantage of the best smart home devices.

Alexa, Cortana, Google Assistant, and Siri are all AI powered virtual assistants that are tested by

asking a series of complex and simple questions and assessing voice accuracy, capabilities,

ecosystem integration, and more.

These AI assistants almost provide the same functionality, but each has its own upside and

downside. And, of course, all four are growing and developing rapidly.

Figure 1: Introducing smartly ai, 2021.

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VOICE ACCURACY AND SPEED

The main ability of digital assistants is primarily controlled by recognizing the user's voice, is to

understand what is being said and what to reply. Every AI Voice Assistant has a wake word or

phrase such as “Hey Cortana,” “OK, Google,” “Hey Siri,” and “Alexa.” This tells digital

assistants to then listen and respond to what's being said next.

While all of the major voice assistants have great performing speech recognition ability, Google

Assistant and Apple’s Siri are better at understanding what’s being said, especially when there is

noise or clutter in the background, or the assistant is giving the user some information. Cortana,

according to Microsoft, has an excellent comprehension of context, but it, like Alexa, has a lot

harder time hearing what you're saying than the other two. (Martin, B. 2021) When using the

final two, it's better to use them in a quiet location because background noise can make it

difficult for them to understand what you're saying.

In terms of response time of query, once again Google Assistant comes out on the top, always

offering super quick responses to commands. However, while Alexa and Siri were also close

behind, Cortana came in last position. Because users have experienced many challenges with

Cortana not even understanding basic requests (creating reminders, cancelling tasks, and

obtaining restaurant information) despite no issues with their microphones, it's difficult to

quantify the response tome to questions if they're unheard. Siri can often beat Alexa when the

instruction is clearly picked up by the alternative digital assistants, but it all depends on the

commands you give or ask of them and your familiarity of their command is prompt. So, when it

comes to voice recognition: Apple’s Siri and Google’s Google Assistant wins this category. But

when it comes to response times with queries, Google Assistant is the clear winner. (Martin, B.

2021)
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FEATURES AND CAPABILITIES

Whichever virtual assistant you use, they all support the same essential functions (alarms,

making calls, messages). But each also has its quirks and special features that make them unique.

Cortana uses Microsoft's Bing search engine for searches and information requests, whereas Siri

and Google Assistant both use Google. Although the latter two may use the same search

platform, Siri will advise you to call or book a reservation if you query for restaurant

information. If you already know where you want to eat, all three of assistants can make a

reservation or place an order for you.

For those who use the Google search engine frequently, Google Assistant has another advantage:

it already knows a lot about you. While this raises some privacy concerns, it also means that it's

one of the most personalized services available - at least when you first start using it. Its Google

Duplex natural voice system has a lot of potential for more natural conversation with Google

Assistant, whether it's between the owner and the assistant or with others.

Depending on whose platform you're utilizing the assistants on, some of their features work

differently. On a Home speaker, Google Assistant reads the news to you, whereas Cortana does

so on a smartphone.

Alexa is fantastic for simple instructions and Amazon orders. Still, you might want to seek

elsewhere if you're searching for a digital assistant that understands normal English and doesn't

require a user manual to master. It's a close call, but Google Assistant wins the features and

capabilities category by edging out the competition in terms of simplicity of use, customization,

and natural dialogue.

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ECOSYSTEM INTEGRATION
The technology and platforms on which these virtual assistants are run and can be integrated are

arguably the most significant differences amongst them. On one hand, Siri may not be able to

operate well with HomePod speakers or AirPod headphones, and iPhone and iPad smartphones.

Unfortunately, your Android device or Windows PC will not be able to access it. (Martin, B.

2021)

Google Assistant, on the other hand, is available on Android and iOS devices, as well as

Windows and Linux with a few adjustments. It also works with Google Home smart speakers

and Chromecast and is gradually being integrated with Chrome OS devices such as the Google

Pixelbook. (Martin, B. 2021)

Cortana is similar, with compatibility for a wide range of hardware and software platforms. It's

built into all Windows 10 PCs, as well as the now-defunct Windows 10 Mobile and the Xbox

One console. Cortana may also be found in a few smart devices, such as the Harmon Kardon

Invoke speaker, and there are increasingly sophisticated and indispensable Cortana apps for iOS

and Android. Because Alexa is part of the Amazon ecosystem, it can easily connect with Fire

TVs and tablets, as well as a range of different Bluetooth speakers in a variety of designs —

unlike Google Assistant's cookie-cutter style — and serves as a great starting point for those

looking to build a smart home.

So, when it comes to easiness in use of an ecosystem, it’s a three-way tie: among Alexa, Google

Assistant, and Siri. But when it comes to availability of platform and hardware integration,

Google Assistant and Cortana are better than the rest.

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CONCLUSIONS / VERDICT
Since each of the product on our list is an Apple or either a Windows product, it's only natural

that they work on the operating systems created by their respective brands. Siri, as you might

expect, is only available on products created by Apple, whereas Cortana is only available on

laptops, tablets, and smartphones which are all Windows product. (O’Boyle, O. 2021)

On the other hand, Google Assistant is an outlier. It works on most devices and platforms

without any hesitation and it performs best when combined with Google services. While Alexa

works well on devices such as iPhones, you'll find that Alexa works best with Amazon items.

Figure 2: Virtual Assistants | Virtual Assistant, Virtual, Logo Inspiration. Pinterest. https://in.pinterest.com/pin/298363544073319555/.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
So, which is the best personal assistant? As with most things, there isn't a simple solution, and it

all relies on what you're searching for to meet your requirements.

Google Assistant has a fantastic Artificial Intelligence. It can handle numerous inquiries at once,

provides individualized answers based on a voice profile, and is powered by Google search,

making it extremely accurate. The wake phrases aren't as personalized as Alexa's, it's not as

compatible with as many apps and services as Siri, and it's not as amusing.

Amazon Alexa isn't as clever or as active as Google Assistant, but it's compatible with hundreds

of thousands of services and apps, has a personalized wake word, and features like Alexa

Calling.

Apple's Siri is by far the wittiest of the personal assistants, allowing you to speak freely and

offering features like Siri Shortcuts that help you get things done quickly, but it is linked to

Apple devices and has less app and service compatibility than Alexa and Google Assistant.

Each personal assistant has advantages and disadvantages. You'll need a device with Google

Assistant if you want the smartest. You'll want a device with Alexa if you want the most app and

service compatibility. You'll need an Apple device with Siri if you want the funniest.

Remember that you can get the Google Assistant and Alexa apps from the App Store or Google

Play Store if you have an Android or iOS phone. As previously said, Siri is only available to

Apple customers, so if you own an Apple device, you can have your cake and eat it, as you'll

have access to all three assistants. (O’Boyle, O. 2021)

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google-assistant-and-apples-siri-compare/5255035001/

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https://in.pinterest.com/pin/298363544073319555/.

Introducing Smartly.ai. (n.d.). Introducing smartly.ai. [Clip Art]. smartly.AI.

https://www.smartly.ai/blog/introducing-smartly-ai/.

Kozuch, K. (2020, July 14). Alexa vs. Google assistant vs. Siri: which smart assistant is best?.

Toms Guide. https://www.tomsguide.com/us/alexa-vs-siri-vs-google,review-4772.html

Lin, S. (2019, October). Voice assistants and cancer screening: a comparison of Alexa, Siri,

Google assistant, and Cortana. NCBI.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8437561/

Martin, B. (2021, March 09). Cortana vs. Siri vs. Google assistant vs. Alexa. digitaltrends.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/cortana-vs-siri-vs-google-now/

O’Boyle, B. (2020, September 28). Google Assistant vs Alexa vs Siri: battle of the personal

assistants. Pocket-lint. https://www.pocket-lint.com/smart-home/buyers-guides/124938-

google-assistant-vs-alexa-vs-siri-personal-assistants