Amazon and Google are putting their rival voice assistants on the same devices for the first time, allowing users to alternate between Alexa and Google Assistant depending on their preference and the situation.
The combination will debut with the release of Harman’s new JBL Authentics 200, 300, and 500 smart speakers in September. After initial setup, users will be able to invoke either assistant by saying “Alexa” or “Hey Google.”
Examples cited by Amazon include the ability to ask Google Assistant about a product, and then ask Alexa to buy it from Amazon; or receive a delivery notification from Alexa, and ask Google Assistant to set a reminder about it.
The integration extends to basic operation of the smart speakers. It will be possible, for example, to start a timer with Alexa and end it with Google Assistant, if users forget which voice assistant they used at the outset. This capability is known as universal device commands.
Amazon says the companies have also taken steps to ensure that the assistants don’t talk over one another.
It’s part of Amazon’s longstanding push for interoperability among different voice assistants. The company founded the Voice Interoperability Initiative in 2019. Google is not listed among the more than 90 members of the initiative.
Harman says the JBL Authentics 200, 300, and 500 smart speakers are scheduled be released in September for $329.99, $429.99, and $699.99, respectively.
