Homepod or iPad/iPhone as virtual home assistant?

[jagooch]

I listened to this week's episode of Mac Power Users podcast , and they voiced serious doubts that the HomePod will have fully functional Siri integration. They cited that the Homepod was being marketed more as a Sonos replacement than an Alexa or Google Home replacement.

I ditched my Amazon Alexa devices already after I found out how badly they treat their employees. I was planning on getting the HomePod as the replacement for them. However, if the HomePad won't have access to all of Siri's features , I may as well not waste my time waiting. I can spend $200 on an used iPad or iPhone that I can set up as a virtual home assistant.

Thoughts?

 

[iMi]

I listened to this week's episode of Mac Power Users podcast , and they voiced serious doubts that the HomePod will have fully functional Siri integration. They cited that the Homepod was being marketed more as a Sonos replacement than an Alexa or Google Home replacement.

I ditched my Amazon Alexa devices already after I found out how badly they treat their employees. I was planning on getting the HomePod as the replacement for them. However, if the HomePad won't have access to all of Siri's features , I may as well not waste my time waiting. I can spend $200 on an used iPad or iPhone that I can set up as a virtual home assistant.

Thoughts?

I am replacing Alex with the HomePod when it arrives. By the way... kudos to you for voting with your dollar and for having a moral compass, I respect that.

I am under the impression that HomePod will have fully integrated Siri. She'll take notes, give you weather and play Apple Music. Apple focused a lot on the music, but the website says...

"HomePod isn’t just great at playing your music. It’s also a helpful home assistant for everyday household questions and tasks. And it’s a hub for controlling your smart home accessories — from a single light bulb to the whole house — with the power of your voice."

It sure sounds like a fully functioning Siri. Amazon just mashes thousands of useless features together. Apple is more thoughtful, so it probably won't be as broad at launch as Alexa, but it will be far more competent and well executed in my opinion.

 

[Foggydog]

You have brought up a good thought. I’m certainly not an expert with either, but from all the blogs I have read the Homepod will be first and foremost a good sounding speaker. Since Siri has never been very good, I cannot believe that the speaker will be very good at voice assistance. I use a Bluetooth all the time being a trucker and Siri messes up 80% of everything I ask. Even simple voice commands to call someone.
Some here in this forum have stated that Siri works better speaker natively and I too have had better luck without my Bluetooth. So, unless Apple gives a great upgrade to Siri I myself am not interested.