Amazon Echo v Google Home - This vital new feature is what these speakers desperately need

There’s no question that the Amazon Echo and Google Home smart speakers are two of the best gadgets of the past year.

Both of these intelligent devices use the power of speech to search for music, answer questions, plan your week, set timers and even turn on the lights.

It’s clever stuff and, with neat designs plus very low prices, it’s no wonder they’ve become so appealing and hugely popular.

Google’s Home Mini and the Amazon Echo Dot both currently cost under £50 - a bargain price for such new and advanced technology.

However, for all of their greatness, there is one thing that still annoys us about these voice-powered machines.

If you have children in your house you’ll no doubt be teaching them the art of manners.

A please and thank you goes a long way but sadly kids and adults don’t need manners when speaking to the latest smart assistants.

It’s something that many Echo and Google Home owners have been concerned about for a while as it seems a little rude barking orders at a speaker without ending it with a please or thanks.

One reader recently explained to Express.co.uk that it was this reason that he had banned the Echo from his home as he felt it wasn’t a positive role model for his family.

It seems Amazon and Google are aware of these concerns with both technology companies recently announcing radical changes.

Amazon has revealed its latest Echo Dot Kids Edition which not only features online time limits and improved parental controls but also something called the Magic Word.

The new Magic Word feature offers positive reinforcement when kids use the word “please” while asking questions of Alexa.

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And not to be left behind, Google also revealed something similar at its Google I/O event earlier this month with its new “Pretty Please” mode.

This again brings positive responses if children say please when asking a question.

These are clearly welcome additions but it seems there will be a wait before your smart speaker gets these polite new features.

The Echo Dot Kids Edition is currently only available in the US and Google hasn’t yet revealed a rollout of the “Pretty Please” function.

It’s a big move in the right direction and let’s hope it’s not too long before Alexa and Google Assistant praises all of us when we ask nicely.

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