$99 Speaker Showdown: HomePod Mini vs. Amazon Echo and Google Nest Audio

[Apple_Robert]

Privacy is what you believe in relation to what they tell you. If you believe what you are being told then make your decision based on that, if you assume there is potential in any device to collect more than claimed whether intended or not then trust none of them. The correct answer is to trust none of them.

You are stating the obvious. I was speaking of Dan addressing (even in brevity) the privacy / data collection and storage policies of the three devices.

A video like this that doesn’t even speak of such an important topic is sorely lacking, in my opinion.

 

[LeadingHeat]

So you can't mute the microphone on the Homepod mini, so in reality it's Apple that's "always listening" not Amazon or Google, interesting that the company that bangs on about your privacy all the time doesn't give you an option to be private 🤣

Except the chip inside of that HomePod is so advanced (for a smart speaker) that it really does only “listen” once it hears the trigger word. Not all the time like the others. That was a key feature that they mentioned in the keynote.

 

[HarryWild]

I was hoping for a bigger size HomePod Mini that has a fuller set of speakers in it. I going with the Echo when it back in stock! I having hard time deciding on white or blue but considering getting both colors!

 

[vicviper789]

Nope. They are not selling your data.

you are right. They are probably renting it out as a subscription service.

 

[Digital Dude]

I like most of Dan's reviews. Okay, now that common courtesy is out of the way, Dan couldn't help himself by over-plugging the Apple contender. His subjective preference leaned towards the Nest Audio, but at 6:02 he said 'if you pair two of mini's together..., then you can improve the sound.' Who knew! 😲

While I'm not a big music person, I am physically impaired so my eight HomePods serve as a quasi MedicalAlert system, together with the Nest Home Hub Max. The mini footprint is about the same as the original HP so no advantage there. Although, the mini with it's integrated power supply eliminates the wall-wart which is a nice touch.

 

[Arsenikdote]

So you can't mute the microphone on the Homepod mini, so in reality it's Apple that's "always listening" not Amazon or Google, interesting that the company that bangs on about your privacy all the time doesn't give you an option to be private 🤣

I think you missed the part about on device processing. A large reason why Apple is moving to its own silicon is due to the benefits of having the hardware and software all part of one eco-system. One of the security benefits of this is that it can process large amounts of neural engine tasks all on the local device without having to resort to sending data the external servers. Even when that happens, it only needs to send a non-personalized identifier so the response can be received. This is a FAR CRY from how the Amazon and Google systems work. If you are looking at it with a tin foil hat on, it can look quite scary, but if you gain just a little bit of education on how the systems work they will look VASTLY different. Up to you, but this perspective is over generalized and missing information in my opinion.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I like most of Dan's reviews. Okay, now that common courtesy is out of the way, Dan couldn't help himself by over-plugging the Apple contender. His subjective preference leaned towards the Nest Audio, but at 6:02 he said 'if you pair two of mini's together..., then you can improve the sound.' Who knew! 😲

While I'm not a big music person, I am physically impaired so my eight HomePods serve as a quasi MedicalAlert system, together with the Nest Home Hub Max. The mini footprint is about the same as the original HP so no advantage there. Although, the mini with it's integrated power supply eliminates the wall-wart which is a nice touch.

Dan does his best to make videos that appear to be objective. Every so often, his Android bias makes an appearance.lol

 

[SDJim]

You are incorrect. Apple does its language processing on-device, unlike the others, so "Apple" is not listening, just your HomePod. The inclusion of said switch on the competing devices is a hysterical indication of how non-private your life is with them around.

So you can't mute the microphone on the Homepod mini, so in reality it's Apple that's "always listening" not Amazon or Google, interesting that the company that bangs on about your privacy all the time doesn't give you an option to be private 🤣

 

[HarryWild]

In my opinion the soundstage of the mini cannot be topped in this price category. I have had google and Alexa speakers and getting loud is not a selling point. I want my tv shows and movies to have a good soundstage and depth and the HomePod mini accomplishes that to a T. Bass? Not important for me. These are for my bedroom tv and not blasting it loud as I have kids. However the HomePod mini crushes it. I couldn’t be more impressed.

forgot to mention I do have 2 of these for stereo. And Siri for me works perfect. I only use it for basic stuff and never had a problem, and also I don’t have to yell for the HomePod to hear me unlike Alexa and google where if it’s playing music I have to yell for the speaker to hear.

For $200, you could get a great sound bar with a 500 watt subwoofer included. It sound just like in the movie theater if your room is 50 ft. square or smaller.

 

[Jimmy James]

 

[Apple_Robert]

View attachment 1685478

Is that lady in the bottom picture single? I could go for some pancakes.

 

[GermanSuplex]

I love the HomePod... I'm thinking of getting a second, and will probably buy three minis.

I do wish some things were a tad different... would like to see an actual HomePod app that's located within the Home app - something to allow you to add a proper queue (without AirPlaying from another device), set EQ (I live in an apartment, and the bass kills the ability to just play music at random. One song will be just right and the next shakes the walls). I'm thinking two minis could solve that problem. Plus, I would like to get one for the bedroom. Which leads me to my final complaint - a clock... I wish the min had a slanted top that displayed the time. It's plugged in, perfect for a night stand... I'm sure they wanted to keep it as similar to the larger HomePod as possible, but it just seems odd to have that nice screen on top that offers such minimal functionality.

Minor quibbles. I like far more about it than I doubt.

 

[armin89]

Comparing Amazon echo with apple home pod is like comparing iPhone 3GS with samsung phone.
apple needs years and years to get where amazon is in smart home integration.

 

[toph2toast]

Within the last month or so Alexa can’t understand anything I say especially when it comes to saying “Alexa play (album) by (artist) “. Getting frustrating

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this. It used to understand me perfectly when I would "Alexa, turn on (insert location) lights", now it takes me a few tries for it to work. Weird.

 

[citysnaps]

you are right. They are probably renting it out as a subscription service.

Please post a link to your evidence.

 

[baculum]

I think the comparison video is truly lacking when the privacy difference between the 3 devices is not addressed. MacRumors should have covered that aspect. It is very important.

Totally agree. When I walk into someone's house that has some Alexa device I'm completely creeped out. Listening and selling everything about you IS THEIR BUSINESS MODEL. Clearly a lot of people don't care, but personally, I don't want Jeff Dr. Evil Bezos listening to my life, mundane as it may be. Freaking disgusting.

 

[JosephAW]

I’m waiting for the $89 price when they are abundantly in stock.

 

[Digital Dude]

I love the HomePod... I'm thinking of getting a second, and will probably buy three minis.

I do wish some things were a tad different... would like to see an actual HomePod app that's located within the Home app - something to allow you to add a proper queue (without AirPlaying from another device), set EQ (I live in an apartment, and the bass kills the ability to just play music at random. One song will be just right and the next shakes the walls). I'm thinking two minis could solve that problem. Plus, I would like to get one for the bedroom. Which leads me to my final complaint - a clock... I wish the min had a slanted top that displayed the time. It's plugged in, perfect for a night stand... I'm sure they wanted to keep it as similar to the larger HomePod as possible, but it just seems odd to have that nice screen on top that offers such minimal functionality.

Minor quibbles. I like far more about it than I doubt.

All valid quibbles and good ideas!
Heck, I added a Google/Nest Home Max to address some of those features. It shows me the time by default, plays music at consistent levels, answers contextual questions, shows me how to repairs things, greets me when I enter the kitchen, tells me today's schedule, shows me the front/back doors, and even allowed me to show an injury to my doctor. While it has its own minor issues, it does fill a void.

I do wish Apple would offer something similar for the same $179. Sure, my 8 Homepods sound better, but still. I used to think the whole ecosystem was a big deal, but with Apple's software blunders this year, I've grown to rely less on that. Who knows? Apple did copy Amazon and Google in the $99 speaker segment, so there's hope. ✌️

 

[Jack Neill]

Siri is the HomePods biggest let down

until Apple drastically improve it, the HomePod will remain infuriating

Siri is absolute garbage. It got much worse after iOS 14 as well. I don't even bother using it anymore.

 

[Pupi]

It is a comical sight how much speaker you get per $99 from each company, now that Apple made a product with a specific price target in mind, instead of targeting the quality they wanted to, and then pricing it accordingly.

The fact that it produces impressive sound for its size is negated by the fact that they didn’t need to make it that small to begin with, and it could sound better.

I’m happy that Apple made it, I’m all-in on Homekit and on the Apple ecosystem so it’s a great addition, but even if it does sound quite clear, it still sounds tiny and simple, a far cry from the original HomePod. Price is very different - I know. But could still sound better/louder at $99.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Strongly considering trading in all HomePods we have for the mini simply for the aesthetics. Their uses are 75% HomeKit commands, 15% music, 10% calls so the trade off in the quality in sound isn’t that big a deal.

Then the question becomes what do I do with the big ones?

I would keep them. Could you use them as home theater speakers? Or hack them to act as a guitar amp? Or install them in your car? Surely there are some mad scientists out there that have tried this.

 

[montuori]

For $200, you could get a great sound bar with a 500 watt subwoofer included. It sound just like in the movie theater if your room is 50 ft. square or smaller.

50 sq ft? Like a jail cell?

 

[Pupi]

I like most of Dan's reviews. Okay, now that common courtesy is out of the way, Dan couldn't help himself by over-plugging the Apple contender. His subjective preference leaned towards the Nest Audio, but at 6:02 he said 'if you pair two of mini's together..., then you can improve the sound.' Who knew! 😲

While I'm not a big music person, I am physically impaired so my eight HomePods serve as a quasi MedicalAlert system, together with the Nest Home Hub Max. The mini footprint is about the same as the original HP so no advantage there. Although, the mini with it's integrated power supply eliminates the wall-wart which is a nice touch.

What do you mean? The original HomePod also has an integrated power supply.

 

[44267547]

Personally aside from ‘sound and features’, I really like how small and discreet the Mini is. It Just doesn’t look like a generic ‘tech item’ that’s out of place, it seems like it will work really in any setting that’s not obtrusive.

 

[Digital Dude]

What do you mean? The original HomePod also has an integrated power supply.

Yes, I'm well aware the original HomePod has an integrated power supply; I have eight. Not sure yet how to re-word things' but I intended to compare the virtues of the mini to the Amazon and Google/Nest speakers. Specifically, the mini has an integrated power supply where Amazon & Nest speakers do not.