It doesn’t allow you to see the real environment (pass through) but it means there’s no external sensors required.

I agree, Google is a big competitor. At the moment, Amazon is well ahead. We’ll see how the war goes

I think you missed the focus of the article: a smart home hub. Google’s AI may be way ahead on the phone for doing phone things, but its skills and integrations are far behind Amazon for doing smart home things. Amazon’s learning will help in the home, and Google’s learning will help with mobile, and there will be some crossover, too.

Those integrations are nice, but they require you to buy a new TV. Alexa is now starting to work with existing TVs. Still waiting on Google Home to catch up with its skills and integrations.

Nothing wrong with new technology, otherwise: Another iPhone when my iPhone works just fine. Yawn.