Who won the World Series? Don't ask Google Home

Eli Blumenthal , USA TODAY11:16 a.m. EDT November 3, 2016

USA TODAY'S Ed Baig compares Google Home to the Amazon Echo. USA TODAY

(Photo: Google)

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It was the question on everyone’s minds Wednesday night – particularly if you weren’t parked in front of a TV. Who won the World Series?

Reviews are pouring in for Google Home, the search giant's answer to the Amazon Echo smart speaker which goes on sale Friday. While there is a lot to like in the $129 device, many critics, including USA TODAY's own Ed Baig, noted that there's still plenty of room for improvement.

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Google Home review: In catch-up to Echo, but with promise

Both devices are good at handling a variety of tasks including playing music, controlling Philips Hue lights and calling for Uber rides. Google even has some other cool tricks including beaming videos onto your Chromecast. Interestingly though, it is in search where Amazon right now has an edge.

When I asked both devices this morning "who won the World Series?", Alexa gave me the correct answer ("the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series four games to three") while Google started listing off recent scores from the past three games, directing me to ask for "a particular team" for more information.

Even Siri got the answer right, telling me the "Cubs won the World Series 4-3. They won the last game 8 to 7."

A Siri query asking, "Who won the World Series?" (Photo: Eli Blumenthal, USA TODAY)

It wasn't just the final result that flummoxed Google's smart assistant.

As Ed noted in his review, when he asked Alexa and Google “what’s happening in the World Series?” when Game 7 between the Cubs and Indians entered extra innings Wednesday night, Alexa responded by starting an NPR flash briefing, while Google Home came back with the frustrating “I don’t know how to help with that yet.”

When he asked “What’s the score of the Cubs game?” Echo correctly informed him that it was 6-6 at the time, and Google Home instead gave the results from Game 6.

That said, we're still in the early days for smart digital assistants. But if you plan on getting one this holiday season, don't be surprised if not all your questions are answered.