LOS ANGELES – Hey, Alexa, which of the seven Echo speakers should I buy, and what's the difference between them?
And OK Google, the new Home Mini is so affordable at $29 for the holidays. How does it stack up to the entry level Echo, Amazon's Dot?
If you're shopping for a smart speaker, here's how to decide which model and brand fits your needs and some advice on what to do once you own one.
You can also listen to a podcast version of this Talking Tech report.
Smart speakers, which bring voice computing into the home, are one of the hottest categories for holiday gifts, due to their popularity and deep discounts. The entry-level speakers, the Amazon Echo Dot and Google Home Mini, both sell for $49, but are discounted to $29 right now, while the top of the line Echo currently sells for $149.
With the smart speakers, you can use your voice and the "wake" word commands "OK Google" or "Alexa," to do a host of different things. "Every morning I ask Alexa what the weather is," says Mary Neville of Chicago, one of several users we spoke to recently for the accompanying video. "And play music while I'm cooking."
Also: you can get weather reports, the morning news, recipes, play radio stations, streaming music and podcasts and control your smart home.
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