Miss the Hi-Fi? Google, Apple & Sonos amp up their smart speakers

Four new features that make Google Home a better connected speaker than it was--but it still has growing pains, reports USA TODAY's Jefferson Graham on Talking Tech. SAN FRANCISCO -- In another era, young tech geeks saved their money for a state-of-the-art stereo system: a great turntable, powerful amplifier and an absolute killer set of stereo hi-fi speakers. That went away with the advent of digital and listening to music on computers, then phones and earbuds or tiny, portable speakers. Cut to 2017, and it's the odd return to the loud-speaker wars. Google's Rishi Chandra speaks about the Google Home Max speaker.