HomePod Considering switching back to Echo

[se99jmk]

I switched to the Apple HomePod away from Echo - and now have a stereo pair - because:
- Deeper integration with Apple (AirPlay, better browsing with Apple Music)
- Audio quality
- Single music subscription (Apple)

However with today’s announcements, I’m seriously considering Echo again which just seems so much smarter!
- Better Audio with the new sub woofer
- Cheaper Smart Home integrations (HomeKit fear is expensive)
- Echo Guard as a security system, listens for things like broken glass, can auto-randomise lights
- listens for whispers and responds at same level to avoid waking baby / household
- Echo built into everything, even a microwave!
- MUCH faster response time than HomePod (biggest frustration)
- Support for radio

Lots of the software updates are just little nice things that make it appealing

I’m REALLY hoping that Apple slowly improves and ultimately dominates, but Amazon is moving ahead FAST!!

Who knows, Siri Shortcuts + more (and cheaper) HomeKit gear might swing it in the long run, but Echo’s announcements got me tempted...

 

[cyclingplatypus]

Todays announcements were very interesting - I use both technologies in my house and am eager to compare...echo certainly wins when it comes to price and they announced a product that I would love to see Apple introduce - the dongle that you can attach to any speaker - that would be great for airplay 2.

 

[se99jmk]

Todays announcements were very interesting - I use both technologies in my house and am eager to compare...echo certainly wins when it comes to price and they announced a product that I would love to see Apple introduce - the dongle that you can attach to any speaker - that would be great for airplay 2.

Using both, do you find a delay after issuing a command on the HomePod (1 second or so), compared to “instant” on the Echo?

And what’s keeping you using both, cost? (Presumably cost aside, it would be more ideal to have purely one or the other, always the same wake
command )

 

[cyclingplatypus]

Using both, do you find a delay after issuing a command on the HomePod (1 second or so), compared to “instant” on the Echo?

And what’s keeping you using both, cost? (Presumably cost aside, it would be more ideal to have purely one or the other, always the same wake
command )

I do find a slight delay but it doesn't really bother me.

Not cost, just enjoy technology - I was an early adopter of Alexa, still got the original black tube version. I use them as part of my home automation ecosystem - this is probably the most first world problem thing I have ever typed/said but every once in a while when I ask one or the other to turn on lights and it doesn't complete it I follow it up by asking the other.

 

[Peepo]

Don't overlook the Sonos One which supports Apple Music (not via voice though but the app works fine) and also AirPlay2 so you could still retain your Apple services and features while also utilizing it as an Echo device (not to mention many other services Sonos supports). While it may not sound as good as a HomePod, it offers more flexibility I think. I don't own one myself but if I was looking for a smart speaker I would get that or a Play 5 (also supports Echo) for sure.

I use 4 Google homes for my Home Automation control (ISY994i with Insteon and Z-Wave) but am considering jumping over to Echo since it seems to work with so much more things (my ISY works with both Echo and Google Home for voice control). I use like zero Google services (except maybe maps) but I do use Amazon Prime therefore I think Echo would at least be a bit more useful to me. Reason I got the Google Homes was they were $35/ea last year during Black Friday, and Echo was not available in Canada at the time.