There are all kinds of gadgets on the market, and during the holiday season, you might consider putting some of them on your wish list. For instance, maybe you’re looking at some smart speakers, like the Google Assistant or the Amazon Echo. Those are two of the more prominent ones, but there are plenty more as this market continues growing.
Are smart speakers worth it, though? There are some factors you can consider as you try to determine whether they’re a prudent gift for yourself or others as the year draws to a close.
Are You Going to Use Them?
The most critical point when you’re thinking about getting some new gadget is whether you’re going to use it. Maybe you asked for some earbuds during the last holiday season, but now they sit on your desk at home, unused.
If you’re thinking about getting a tech-related gift for yourself or someone else, you need to consider how much you or that person uses and understands technology. The average person doesn’t work in IT, so they don’t know about ADFS limitations or multi-factor authentication. On the other hand, they can probably learn to use something as simple as smart speakers, which are fairly intuitive.
You can use these speakers to find out what the weather is like outside, tell them to remind you about an appointment or start playing music if you like to listen to it while doing the dishes. There are all kinds of other things they can do, and you’ll likely learn about them if you’re willing to take the time to do so.
That’s really the key, though: are you going to use the speakers once you have them, or will they just sit around and collect dust? You should ask yourself that and also think about it if you’re getting them for someone else. You probably know what people on your list actually like technology and which ones actively resist every new device that becomes available.
Are They Worth the Price?
It’s also worth thinking about the price if you’re looking into buying smart speakers as a gift or you’re putting them on your wish list. Technology is not usually cheap, but smart speakers are also not as expensive as something like a brand-new iPhone. If you go for something like the Sonos One, which works with Alexa or Google Assistant, you’ll see that it will cost you $259 brand-new at the moment.
There are cheaper ones than that as well. The Echo Dot is only $29.99 right now. As you can see, there’s a price range, but one thing is clear. If you are set on getting some of these speakers, they are probably not outside of your capabilities unless you are very short on cash at the moment.
How Do You Know Which Ones to Get?
This is quickly becoming a more competitive market, as there are now dozens of these smart-enabled speakers for sale online and in many brick-and-mortar stores. It’s hard to know which one to grab, though, whether you want it for yourself or you’re getting it as a thoughtful gift for someone else.
The first thing you should ask is whether the speakers you’re looking at will work with the virtual assistant technology you already have. In other words, if you use Siri on your iPhone, you need to get smart speakers that work in conjunction with Siri if your phone is in another part of the house.
You can read tons of reviews online to find out which speakers have the best features for the price. Usually, those who get gadgets and new tech enjoy talking about whether they like it or not. Those reviews will undoubtedly come in handy as you try to narrow down the list of smart speakers you might want.
If You Are Not Sure Whether Someone Wants Them, You Can Ask
If you want these speakers for yourself, and you do the research, you’ve probably decided you can learn how to use the technology, and you’re willing to do that. If you’re thinking about getting them for someone else, though, it’s probably best if you ask them directly instead of just hoping for the best.
Maybe you know someone who is not the most mobile at this point in their life or doesn’t have the best memory. You might feel like smart speakers are the perfect gift choice for this individual. An older adult, for instance, might appreciate a device they can talk to so they can add something to a shopping list or find out whether a storm is moving through their area.
Just because these speakers seem like the right fit, though, that does not mean someone will use them if they have set their mind against it. That’s why it is best to ask the person if they would like this sort of thing. You can describe it to them and see what they say.
If they seem somewhat receptive, you can get it for them, help them set it up, and teach them how to use it. It will spoil the surprise when you ask them about it, but this way, you can be sure you’re getting them something they want and will attempt to use.
Many People Like These Speakers
These speakers are not for everyone, as is true with any new technology. Some individuals might want the most high-end ones that can do the most for them, while others may never want to try them, just like they resisted things like email or smartphones.
It seems like most people who set up these speakers in their homes can find uses for them, though. Also, if you put them on your wish list, try them, and don’t like them, you can return them for something else if you keep the receipt. It seems more than likely that you will enjoy using your new smart speakers and keep finding more uses for them.
