This Times article has Alexa way ahead of Siri or Google Now, calling the Echo maybe "the next big thing". I accidently activate Siri and Google Now on occasion, but just find them annoying, frankly, since I have the tablet in hand, and would much rather just type.
Alexa can hear you from anywhere in the room, no matter what you're doing. Could be much more useful. I'd be tempted if it gets the room tuning ability of a Sonos, so it could sound half as good as the Play:1 for music in the kitchen. Will be following developments by both companies.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/10/t...n-brims-with-groundbreaking-promise.html?_r=1
I read the article and I didn't see a compelling argument that made their case other than it can be operated from farther distances where "hey Siri" and Google Now need closer proximity.
There is a big difference between using a tablet vs using an iPhone or especially an Apple Watch ( or the Android equivalent). Since I now own an Apple Watch, the thing is on my wrist wherever I am at all times ( with the exception of when it is being charged while I sleep), so I am always in close proximity. Before I had the watch, I was always in close proximity to the phone because I wanted it nearby in case I got a call. As a result, being able to yell across the room to activate a speaker isn't much of a benefit when I can speak right into a device that is always on me. Also, unless you plan to carry that Echo with you everywhere, it has huge disadvantages compared to Android or iOS smartphones. In other words, I can use Siri everywhere because I have my phone with me everywhere.
I use Siri several times a day. It turns on lights around the house ( via iDevices), I use it to tell my phone to play music/audio I want to hear..in the car, at work, and at home from any room in the house ( even outdoors.. since I grill out a lot). I also use Siri for reminders, alarms, launching apps, dictating a note, telling it to call someone, asking for the current temperature, etc. The advantage is that I don't need to be in screaming distance of a plugged in device. I can literally be anywhere, which is a huge advantage to Siri and Google Now.
As I mentioned above, the main benefit to the Echo is that anyone in the house can use it and the Echo can have its own speaker ( which is better than speakers on smartphones). However, the downside is that you are using a speaker independent of you smartphone, so playing podcasts and seamlessly going from home to car to work isn't as seamless ( if it is possible at all).
I think these devices and technologies can work side by side, but saying "personal assistant" technology that is tied to a wall power plug is better than a technology that travels with you everywhere is ridiculous. While I see some advantages to the Echo (which I have mentioned above), there is so much overlap with Siri that I don't currently see a compelling reason to buy one.