How to Choose a Team—Apple vs. Google vs. Amazon, Oh My!  

The days of playing the technology field may be nearing an end. I, for one, thought I could get by forever dating Apple a little, using Google, playing with Facebook, and committing to Amazon (sorry, Microsoft, you did not make my dance card).

Truth is, the competition is growing fierce, and the “big boys” of Silicon Valley are driving us to choose who we plan to marry. Having one mobile device, using a different search engine, selecting a unique email address, and routinely moving across providers was a bit of a free-for-all. It was refreshing not having to commit, but now that our digital partners are vying for a longer term relationship with us, it is becoming confusing. What’s a person to do?

In everyday terms, my digital universe encompasses using an iPhone 6 plus with iOS 10, an Apple watch, a Microsoft Surface PC, Google search (never Bing or Yahoo), Facebook networking, and Amazon shopping/Prime payment. But the time has come for me to decide which audio tool to pick. I was torn between two loves: Google (Ok Google and its expansion, Google Assistant) and Amazon (Alexa/Echo).

I was just going to pick one, but then I realized that this is the “meet the parents” stage of my relationship. Whomever I pick may determine my partner for life. Because this is not something to take lightly, I pulled out my little black book of audio facts and reviewed Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa, Microsoft Cortana, IBM Watson, and Google Assistant. I even went to the Google pop-up store in New York City and scanned for tech expert picks.

And then I came across an insightful article from Business Insider and it helped to confirm my beloved selection. The author reviewed four of these virtual assistants on their performance across a variety of categories, including maps, travel, email, general information, music, weather, general conversation, calendar, news, games, and bookings. The findings? Siri is integrated with Open Table, so it is the best at finding places and booking plans for you, and it was also better integrating with third parties like Uber. Alexa is better with overall music selections, because Siri directs you to Apple Music and Google likes Spotify and YouTube. Google Assistant was the winner in the maps, travel, weather, conversation/recognition, calendar, news, and games areas, and because of this, it made my Christmas list.

Although I look forward to taking our relationship to the next level, I am a bit hesitant to say goodbye to my Apple friends, and I am concerned that I may have to be monogamous in the near future. Will I now have to be an Android person? What do I do with my iCloud back-up data and pictures?  Do I have to get Google Wallet and break up with Amazon Prime? Do I have to change my email name? (I’d rather keep my maiden name!) What about my Facebook messaging circle? I’m also sensitive that I may have to make a preference on content providers. Right now I enjoy my Xfinity platforms, Amazon TV/Prime, Roku streaming options, and Netflix. I don’t have a home device, but luckily, Nest is part of my new, more committed family.

Still, I’m getting cold feet. It seems that the three most important decisions in your life are now where you go to school, who you marry, and what technology partner you pick. It can be that serious. Especially if you are old-school and resistant to divorce, like me—I still have Comcast for email and have used the same bank for more than 20 years. Cut the Chord? I can’t. At least not yet. Long gone are the days of five network channels, landline phones, and the Yellow Pages.

But wait! I almost forgot about driverless cars–what if the Apple car is sexier? And Tesla could be a major upgrade as I mature. This is all too much for a girl to manage!

I guess all we can do now is make the best choices we can based on facts and needs, compatibility and usability. Emotion has no place in the AI (artificial intelligence) world. Or does it?