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Amazon Continues to Dominate U.S. Smart Speaker Market
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I can't imagine allowing Amazon or Google to listen to everything my family does.
If Apple decided to work with amazon and incorporate Alexa into their eco system they will gain customer share. It’s actually quite simple.
I know a lot of Amazon sales are the cheap Dots. I have 6 of them myself.
But, Amazon has really upped it's game in sound quality. The $75 Echo v3 has pretty amazing sound from 2 speakers, and is full and rich. While not as room filling as the larger 5 speaker $199 Echo Studio, it still sounds great in my 20 X 15 family room.
And it's query capabilities do not match the Google speakers, but are sufficient to answer 98% of my normal questions.
So while it is not the best any one category, but does them all well.
But, Amazon has really upped it's game in sound quality. The $75 Echo v3 has pretty amazing sound from 2 speakers, and is full and rich. While not as room filling as the larger 5 speaker $199 Echo Studio, it still sounds great in my 20 X 15 family room.
And it's query capabilities do not match the Google speakers, but are sufficient to answer 98% of my normal questions.
So while it is not the best any one category, but does them all well.
My thoughts as well. I have one of the cheapest Echo Dots that I got with a months subscription to Amazon Music for a total cost of $9; and it is quite fine for playing music in the kitchen. I also have a small Echo show in my office that is quite fine for streaming radio stations and music. Certainly nowhere near what a Homepod sounds like, but certainly a good value for the money.
Not everyone is willing to pay for, or even wants, really good sound but is happy with acceptable soound for 1/2 or 1/3 or even less money. Siri is pretty hit or miss and for most people I would guess once the novelty wears off they barely use it.
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I'm not so sure. What would a $300 HomePod do too make it preferable to a much cheaper Amazon alternative for someone who wants search capability?
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We have a few of these devices. I don't find them particularly useful. I ask it for weather info and to play music every once in a while. I could easily do these things on my phone. What are people using these for that make them a must have?
Apple thought all we wanted was great speakers to play our music. They were obviously wrong, and built their "intelligent assistant" around Siri, an implementation that is exceptionally lame. I'll never have a HomePod because the Echo is a good enough speaker for me and Alexa is actually helpful, whereas Siri is a dolt.
I have a few Amazon Echo devices and a HomePod. The HomePod has much better sound quality but Siri is so hit or miss I rarely ever use it except for listening to music. Apple needs to come out with a lower price HomePod and make major improvements to Siri because it absolutely sucks.
Ok and that matters how?
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Of which you have nothing to back up your assertion of course....
We have an echo dot that was given to us as a gift. I tried using it and no doubt it’s cool, but the hardest thing I ever asked for was to set a timer. So today it’s unplugged and stored away. I suppose I could use it for music but that is what I use the HomePod for.
The HomePod gets much more use tgan the fit ever did and the sound is a pleasure to listen to.
The HomePod gets much more use tgan the fit ever did and the sound is a pleasure to listen to.
I’m referring to true audiophiles. The HomePod audio quality isn’t even in the same zip code as that of a higher end setup.
What does it matter? Apple blew this one. People don't want to buy this kind of device at that price point.
not surprised
i liked the homepod' sound but it was too limited so i returned it within my 2-3week return period.
i started with echo dots and went to some higher-end echo's so they were my smart speaker baseline.
tried 2 google home mini's i got for free from a Spotify promo and honestly i replaced them with cheap dots durring the last prime day because while about as functional as the echos they seem significantly worse in both speaker and especially mic performance.
i liked the homepod' sound but it was too limited so i returned it within my 2-3week return period.
i started with echo dots and went to some higher-end echo's so they were my smart speaker baseline.
tried 2 google home mini's i got for free from a Spotify promo and honestly i replaced them with cheap dots durring the last prime day because while about as functional as the echos they seem significantly worse in both speaker and especially mic performance.
My SO purchased a discounted Google Hub Max that was bundled with their video doorbell. I was skeptical that it would be useful but it has proved otherwise. It allows us to use a virtual assistant without a device constantly on us.
Firstly, its sound is comparable to the countertop Bose SoundLink we had, especially after I lowered the subwoofer level. It’s suitable for podcasts and ambient music. It hears well but if you rather not shout over the audio that’s playing, you simply make a stop gesture with your hand to mute it.
What makes it more useful than other smart speakers though is the touchscreen display. It’s great when you only have time for a news summary or a YouTube clip and don’t want to navigate the TV. It displays any activity or visitors that the doorbell detects. We also use it for video calls with family because it frees our hands. In fact, the camera pans/zooms on the person who is speaking when we’re standing apart. Furthermore, the device has face recognition and shows each of us our personal content as we approach it. And of course, its assistant is worlds more useful than Siri. It’s amazing the breadth of questions it can answer rather than point to a web link. It could answer, for example, which local TV channel(s) and time(s) a show is playing. Which reminds me, we use it to voice control our AV equipment since it recognizes the programmed commands of the Harmony remote.
Firstly, its sound is comparable to the countertop Bose SoundLink we had, especially after I lowered the subwoofer level. It’s suitable for podcasts and ambient music. It hears well but if you rather not shout over the audio that’s playing, you simply make a stop gesture with your hand to mute it.
What makes it more useful than other smart speakers though is the touchscreen display. It’s great when you only have time for a news summary or a YouTube clip and don’t want to navigate the TV. It displays any activity or visitors that the doorbell detects. We also use it for video calls with family because it frees our hands. In fact, the camera pans/zooms on the person who is speaking when we’re standing apart. Furthermore, the device has face recognition and shows each of us our personal content as we approach it. And of course, its assistant is worlds more useful than Siri. It’s amazing the breadth of questions it can answer rather than point to a web link. It could answer, for example, which local TV channel(s) and time(s) a show is playing. Which reminds me, we use it to voice control our AV equipment since it recognizes the programmed commands of the Harmony remote.
If I want a spy in my house I will use Amazon or Google's speakers. If I want excellent sound with a hobbled Siri, I will use Apple's HomePods.
Apple's are getting "better" in functionality… and the sound really is incredible. But Siri SUCKS and Alexa is amazing… however, Amazon spys, records, and SAVES your home and office conversations. NO THANK YOU.
Apple's are getting "better" in functionality… and the sound really is incredible. But Siri SUCKS and Alexa is amazing… however, Amazon spys, records, and SAVES your home and office conversations. NO THANK YOU.
Right. Must be referring to fake audiophile. But is agreed who is going to buy a HomePod with a ultra-expensive setup?
I don’t think you really know if HomePod is too expensive. Maybe for you or some others who voice some opinion. Certainly within the ball park of other Apple devices.
It’s not good enough for me. I’m an audiophile. AV receiver with 7.2.1 setup. Why would I want a HomePod? (That was rhetorical & I never said ultra-expensive. Higher end.)
Any decent surround system would sound much better. Yes, it would cost more, but, a HomePod wouldn’t compare.
Obviously, people have bought them. I’m sure they sound great...for what they are. But, it costs a lot more than most people want to pay...for what they are. A smart speaker. That’s it.
Other Apple devices aren’t anything like this.
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IF this had been Apple that was dominating this smart speaker market, you can bet 500% that the European Commission and the FTC would have numerous antitrust lawsuits to shake down Apple by now.
But because it's Amazon (instead of Apple).... they will get away with it.
But because it's Amazon (instead of Apple).... they will get away with it.
Why would Apple be interested in selling crappy sounding smart mics at a loss? What’s the purpose? How would that further their strategic goals?
I get why it works for Amazon and google. Amazon wants to sell you stuff, google wants to sell your info. Good for them, fine for whoever wants it but I’m not interested in either.
Apple wanted to make a great sounding, voice activated speaker. That’s what they did. HomePod has about as much in common with a cheap dot as the Apple Watch does with a $15 fitness band.
I wish they’d make a higher end version, but I personally don’t have any interest in a worse sounding device. Once you take away it’s main feature—great sound—what are you left with?
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