I really wanted to like the Invoke but I just couldn’t warm up to it. As a Windows user, seamless integration with Cortana and my computer seemed really neat. I just wish it could do more and that it was more stable.

It doesn’t stand out against the more affordable Google Home or the Echo, the latter of which is getting a refresh this month with a new $99 model that’s supposed to offer better audio. You can buy two of those (or four Google Home Minis, or four Echo Dots) for the price of the Invoke and still have almost all of the same features. You’ll also gain multiroom audio, the ability to order products by voice and integration with hundreds of apps and services, including more music options.

If you’re chasing great audio, you might want to consider the Sonos One instead. It has Amazon Alexa built in and sounds better. Plus you can add multiple Sonos products to create a multiroom effect.

Microsoft needs to play in this space. Apple’s HomePod is coming out this year and, if Microsoft sat still, it would be the odd-ball out. It’s on the right path with the Invoke, but still lags behind the pack.

Source: Tech CNBC
Microsoft's noble attempt at a smart speaker isn't as good as the Google Home or Amazon Echo