Amazon might just have the edge in the smart speaker market for now, launching its Alexa-powered Echo device before rivals, along with the smaller Echo Tap and Dot.
But Google isn’t far behind with its Google Home alternative, which launched stateside last year and is made its way to the UK just this month.
And now, it seems the big G is adding a new feature which might just help it catch up to Amazon’s rival device.
Related: Google Home vs Amazon Echo
As reported by AndroidPolice, the Discover tab of the Google Home app now features a card that says ‘Multiple users now supported”.
That means we can expect to see the device supporting multiple accounts, allowing different users with separate music accounts and data to make use of the speaker.
However, it seems for the time being the actual feature isn’t live – but at least we know the launch of this much-needed functionality is imminent.
Below the headline, the new card says: “Now, you and others in your home can get a personalised experiece from your Assistant on Google home.”
Just how the feature will work remains unclear at this point, but we’re expecting to hear more very soon as the feature goes live and users start reporting their experiences.
Multiple user support is available on the Echo – Here’s how to switch profiles on Amazon’s smart speaker:
After you set up a Household, you can switch accounts between users on an Alexa device.
- Say, “Alexa, switch accounts.”
- When browsing a content library in the Alexa app, use the drop-down menu at the top of the screen to toggle between user libraries.
You can also check the profile you’re currently using by saying “Which account is this?”
We’ll keep you updated on Google Home’s multiple user support, so stay tuned for when it goes live.
UPDATE 12/04: Updated article with information on how to switch accounts on the Amazon Echo. Previously this article claimed it wasn’t possible to do so.
Let us know what you think of the new feature in the comments.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
