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Comparison of Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa voice assistants

2025/03/26

voice assistant

voice assistantrefers to an AI assistant with the ability to search for information, manage schedules, and operate smart home devices in response to the user's voice input.

With the proliferation of smartphones and smart speakers, voice assistants are becoming an integral part of daily life.

However, although the number of voice assistant users is gradually increasing in Japan,Usage rates are still low compared to other countries, and compared to the U.S. and China, where widespread use is more prevalent, the number of people using the system on a daily basis is still limited.

It is expected that the practicality of voice assistants will be further enhanced in the future, leading to their widespread use in Japan.

The following are three typical voice assistants in use today.

① Siri (Apple)
Google Assistant (Google)
③ Alexa (Amazon)

This article will compare these three voice assistants and provide a detailed explanation of voice assistants, including actual company case studies and the author's personal use of voice assistants.

Comparison of Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa voice assistants

Voice assistants have been incorporated into smartphones, smart speakers, and a variety of other devices, and continue to evolve as a technology that makes our lives more convenient, the most representative of which is Apple's"Siri.", Google'sGoogle Assistantand Amazon.Alexa."The three are

Each of these voice assistants has different characteristics and differs in the devices they support and the situations in which they are utilized.We have compiled a comparison chart of the differences between these three voice assistants.Please see below for more information.

◆Comparison of three voice assistants

①Siri Google Assistant ③Alexa
Supported Devices iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod Android, Google Nest, Chromecast, etc. Amazon Echo, third-party devices
Speech Recognition Accuracy High accuracy within the Apple ecosystem High accuracy through the use of Google's search engine Versatile, but voice recognition accuracy is somewhat poor (some users have called for improvement).
Supported music distribution services Apple Music YouTube Music、Spotify、Apple Music Amazon Music、Spotify、Apple Music
Smart Home Linkage Works with Apple HomeKit Works with Google Nest and 3rd party devices High compatibility and scalability
Privacy & Security Designed to perform as much processing as possible directly on the device (no personal information sent to servers) Leveraging Google's security technology Built-in protections that meet Amazon's security standards (third parties do not have access to users' personal information)

This section describes the features and recommended use of each assistant.

1) "Siri" has the advantage of integration with the Apple ecosystem.

Siri is optimized for Apple products and works smoothly with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, and more.Apple Music Integrationis strong, and HomeKit-compatible smart home devices can also be operated by voice.

In addition, they are highly aware of privacy protection,Since voice data is often processed within the device, security is assured.

◆Recommended usage

Voice control on iPhone and Mac (reminders, email creation, scheduling)
Hands-free operation with AirPods
For users who unify Apple products

◆Points to be improved

Limited compatibility with music services other than Apple Music
Less integration with external services than other assistants.

(2) "Google Assistant" is attractive for its search accuracy and wide range of supported devices.

Google Assistant is,Because it is linked to Google's search engine, the accuracy of answers to questions is extremely high.

In addition, because it can be used on a variety of devices, including Android smartphones, Google Nest, Chromecast, and smart TVs,It is suitable for use in a multi-device environment.

◆Recommended usage

Gather information using Google search (news, weather, translation, etc.)
Task management linked to Google Calendar and Gmail
Operation of smart home devices (Google Nest, Chromecast)

◆Points to be improved

iPhone use is limited and not as seamless as Siri.
Some smart home devices do not have as diverse a linkage as Alexa.

(iii) "Alexa" is a perfect match for the smart home.

Alexa focuses on Amazon's Echo series of smart speakers,Its strength is its ability to work with many smart home devices.

In addition,Skills (Extensions)The ability to customize various functions later by adding a "+" is also a major attraction.

◆Recommended usage

Smart home operation using Amazon Echo (lighting, air conditioning, appliances, etc.)
Shopping lists and shopping on Amazon
Utilize your skills as a highly customizable assistant

◆Points to be improved

Some users have voiced concerns about the accuracy of voice recognition and have called for improvements.
Smartphones by themselves are not as useful as Google Assistant or Siri

Thus, each voice assistant has its own characteristics,Which one you choose depends on "which device you use" and "what you value".It can be said.

For example, "Siri" has strong integration with the ecosystem if you are an Apple user, "Google Assistant" has high search accuracy if searching and obtaining information are important, and "Alexa" has a wide range of compatible devices if you are a serious smart home user,Ideally, choose the appropriate voice assistant for situations where you can take advantage of each of their strengths!

In the next section, the author, an iPhone user, will introduce some of the recommended Siri applications that he actually uses frequently.

 

Five of the author's most frequently used and recommended Siri applications

The author has been using an iPhone for many years and makes use of Siri in various everyday situations.

Siri can be operated without unlocking the lock screen, eliminating the need to launch apps for smooth use.Especially since iOS 10, the device can be put out of sleep by simply tilting it toward the user, making it convenient to call Siri without any button operation.

Siri, however, is not a panacea,Long instructions and ambiguous wording can be difficult to deal withIn other words, it is difficult to operate as if you were having a conversation, so it is more likeTools to support defined tasksI have the impression that the flexibility of the system is limited due to its strong aspect as a

With these points in mind, here are five recommended uses of Siri that I often use.

Usage (1) Image search

Siri has a web search function, which I often use to search for images; for example, if I ask it to "search for pictures of lakes in Okutama," it will suggest several images from the web that correspond.

When you want visual information,It saves you the trouble of opening a browser and searching.I have been using it for a long time and it is very convenient.

Image search by Siri

Image search by Siri

Usage (2) Music playback

Siri works with Apple Music to play music; the author rarely specifies a song, but rather gives instructions based on his mood or the genre he wants to listen to.

For example, when you tell it to play a relaxing Jazz number, it will select a suitable song from the Apple Music library,Because it plays the most suitable background music without specifying a playlistIt is often used while working, relaxing, or before bedtime.

Music playback by Siri

Music playback by Siri

Usage (3) Multilingual translation

Siri has a built-in translation function that can instantly translate short phrases.

For specific instructions, first instruct the operator to "Translate to English," and then speak, "What is the boarding gate for the flight to New York?" and it will display the sentence converted to English with voice and text.

Since it also translates by voice, it is a convenient function that can be used for small conversations when traveling or interacting with foreigners.

English translation by Siri

English Translation by Siri

Utilization (4) Scheduling function

Siri works with the Calendar app, and scheduling can be done by voice alone: "Schedule an online meeting for tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.," and the appointment will be added to the calendar,Reminders can also be set.

It is especially convenient for quickly entering appointments while on the move or when your hands are occupied.

Scheduling by Siri

Scheduling with Siri

Utilization 5: Memo function

Siri can also be used to jot something down on a moment's notice, and Siri works with the Notes app and Reminders to record simple tasks.

For example, if you tell it to "make a note to pay the utility bill tomorrow," it will automatically save the contents to the Memo app or Reminders so that you don't forget to make the payment.

For the author,Assist with regular payment management and to-do listsThe company utilizes the product as a

Notes by Siri

Notes by Siri

Siri is by no means a panacea, though,Improved efficiency in daily life and work if utilized in the right wayTherefore, we encourage you to try different things.

Next, we will introduce some examples of companies that are actually using voice assistants.

 

Three examples of the use of voice assistants in business settings

In recent years, voice assistants are being used not only for personal use, but also in the business world, as companies and stores adopt voice assistants,Benefits such as increased operational efficiency and customer satisfactionis obtained.

Here are three case studies of companies that are actually using voice assistants.

Case Study 1: Use of Voice Assistants in the Retail Industry: Carrefour

Carrefour, a major French retailer, is,Voice shopping service using Google AssistantWe provide the following services.

For example, when the user speaks, "OK, Google, I want to shop for groceries," the Google Assistant is activated,Automatically link with Carrefour's e-commerce site to add products to your shopping cart.

In addition,It is also equipped with a function that learns your preferences based on your purchase history and recommends appropriate products.The voice-activated payment system contributes greatly to user convenience.

Reference: Carrefour Enables Ecommerce Orders by Voice, Works with "Google Assistant" (DCS Online)

Case Study 2: Introduction of Voice Assistants to Call Centers: Mizuho Securities

At Mizuho Bank,AI Chatbotto improve the efficiency of inquiry handling.

Conventional automated voice response systems used in call centers used to play a pre-recorded voice when a customer pushed a button after listening to a guide, but AI chatbots use text-to-speech technology,It allows for flexible responses to questions received from customers and allows for a natural conversational response.

This reduces response time and improves customer satisfaction.

Reference: Aiming to improve user satisfaction and operational efficiency of contact centers, DX "AI voice bots" for telephone calls are also used by senior citizens (Mizuho Financial Group).

Case Study 3: Improving Efficiency of Internal Operations: LINE Yahoo!

LINE Yahoo Japan, Inc. uses generative AI mainly for personal services,We also provide generative AI assistants to approximately 20,000 employees.

According to the results of an internal survey,Productivity gains of approximately 7% have been observed, andWe are working to improve the quality and convenience of our services.

Reference: LINE Yahoo uses generative AI in 16 cases, mainly for personal services, and provides generative AI assistants to approximately 20,000 employees (LINE Yahoo Japan Corporation)

Thus, business applications of voice assistants range from retail and call centers to streamlining internal operations.

From these introductions,Benefits such as increased business process efficiency, reduced labor costs, and increased customer satisfaction have been identified

 

Majority of respondents have never used voice assistants in Japan.

Here we look at the usage of voice assistants, see graph below.

◆Voice assistant usage in Japan and abroad

Domestic and international use of voice assistants

Source:International survey on voice assistants (1) (IID Inc.)

This graph is,Survey conducted in 2019 by IID, Inc.Although voice assistants are becoming increasingly popular around the world, there are significant differences in their use by country.

The graph shows that in JapanMajority of respondents (51.2%) have "never used it.The percentage of daily users in Japan is only 6.2%, while in the U.S. and China it is 25.1% and 28.4%, respectively,It is evident that the use of voice assistants is more advanced in other countries than in Japan.

Next, we look at changes in voice assistant usage in Japan.

◆Changes in voice assistant usage in Japan

Changes in Voice Assistant Usage

Source:Survey on voice assistants and smart speakers (IID Inc.)

The graph here is the result of a nationwide survey of men and women aged 20-69 conducted by IID Inc. in 2022.

This shows that 51.2% of respondents said they have never used it as of 2019, but this will decrease to 45.5% in 2022,The percentages of those who use the system more than 10 times and those who use it on a daily basis are increasing.

This change is thought to be due to the expanding opportunities to use voice assistants as smart speakers and smartphones evolve.

However,In Japan, "resistance to talking to people" has been pointed out as a factor in the lack of adoption of voice assistants compared to other countries.Please see the graph below.

◆Are you comfortable talking to a voice assistant?

Are you resistant to voice assistants?

Source:Survey on voice assistants and smart speakers (IID Inc.)

Graph,The total of "very much" (14.7%) and "fairly much" (27.6%) respondents, 42.3% of the respondents, felt resistance to voice operation.Only 15.7% of the respondents answered "no resistance at all".

This is thought to be due to the unique Japanese feeling of "embarrassment to use it outside" or issues such as "not being recognized accurately" or "not knowing how to use it".

As these data show,Although the use of voice assistants in Japan is gradually increasing, it is still low compared to other countries.The future challenge will be how to overcome the cultural hurdles as well as the technical improvements.

Next, we will discuss the latest trends in voice assistants.

 

Latest Trends in Voice Assistants

In recent years, voice assistants haveCollaboration with generative AI and evolution of voice recognition technologyEach company is working to improve the user experience by incorporating the latest technologies.

Google utilizes a generative AI model, GeminiGemini Live" voice conversation systemand presented theMultimodal" support for simultaneous recognition and processing of different information sources such as images, voice, and textThe company has achieved the following

For example, when a user shares an image of his or her clothing and asks the question, "What jacket goes with these jeans?" the AI can suggest an appropriate coordination.

Amazon also has a new voice assistant that uses generative AIAlexa+."presented.Added agent functionality, with the ability to process multiple user instructions in sequence and perform tasks autonomouslyThe

This is a major evolution from the previous single request processing and allows for smoother execution of routine tasks.

And the much-anticipated release in Japan of Apple's proprietary AI technology, the「Apple Intelligence」However, although Japanese language support was originally planned for April 2025 with the release of iOS 18.4, technical challenges have reportedly delayed the release of these AI-enhanced features to 2026.

Apple Intelligence will greatly enhance Siri's functionality.Now that they can understand what is displayed on the screen, they can, for example, recognize an address on the screen and give instructions such as, "Register this address with your contacts.

It is also possible to call up a desired photo from a photo application and edit it by voice.

Thus, voice assistants are,Integration with generative AI is enabling a higher level of comprehension and more flexible response than previously possibleIt is expected to continue to evolve into a highly practical assistant that more accurately captures the user's intentions.

In particular, attention is focused on how far Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa will evolve with the introduction of the latest technologies, including Apple Intelligence.

Reference: Google vs. Apple: Where We Stand in the Next-Generation Voice Assistant War: Is Google the Leader, or is Apple Falling Far Behind (J-CAST News)Amazon's New AI-Enabled Assistant, Alexa+ - Three Strengths Against Competitors' AI (ZDNET Japan)Apple's Siri AI Enhancements Expected to be Delayed to 2026, Citing Decline in Competitiveness (JBpress)

 

Conclusion

Voice assistants continue to evolve as a tool to make our lives more convenient, and although they are still not widely used in Japan, the number of users is gradually increasing, and companies are using them to improve work efficiency and enhance customer service.

We will continue to watch how voice assistants will evolve with the development of new technologies.

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