That is the most frustrating part. Apple was the first one out of the gate with a smart assistant, but Apple didn't open it up to 3rd parties like it has with other products and it has suffered. The Apple TV is truly amazing now with a proper App Store.
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First Impressions From New HomePod Owners: Siri's Voice Detection is 'Phenomenal,' Audio Quality is 'Immediately Evident'
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Just needs to sell enough for Apple to make the effort to keep it updated... That's what I'm worried about.
I read an article a few weeks back that said after a couple weeks and the initial newness is gone that most Alexa and google users are only doing the basics, timers, reminders, news and weather.
The reality is that other assistants aren’t that much smarter. People act as if other assistants are Jarvis level intelligence over Siri, when that’s simply not true.
For most people, Siri is just fine.
All of which Siri does quite well. In my experiences anyway.
But I keep hearing this, that Siri is “years behind.” I genuinely want to know what makes this so. I have an open mind here - please enlighten me. And others as well!
What does that even mean? A speaker either sounds great or it doesn’t. Apparently, it sounds as good as $1,000 speakers to some ears so how is anyone overpaying? Any limitations in Siri capability will be addressed, but if you buy crappy $150 speakers, guess what? You’re stuck with crappy speakers.
I honestly don't think Alexa is all that much better (if at all). I use both Siri and Alexa pretty much every day and Alexa is more rigid than Siri and doesn't handle natural language well. Most people complaining about Siri understanding them compared to Alexa don't realize that the Echos have 7 far-field microphones in them vs the one tiny speakerphone mic in their phone. That's why people are astonished the HomePod hears them so well.
HomeKit is also waaaaaaaaaaaaaay more advanced than anything Google or Amazon offers, it's a shame it doesn't support that many devices natively.
Google Assistant is quite good though.
Picked up a space grey one today.
Very impressed so far. Setup was very quick and easy and the sound is surprisingly good. The ability for Siri to hear you through the loud music is also impressive.
I made a choice a while back to embrace the ecosystem (including Apple Music) and the HomePod really is designed to complement that.
Very impressed so far. Setup was very quick and easy and the sound is surprisingly good. The ability for Siri to hear you through the loud music is also impressive.
I made a choice a while back to embrace the ecosystem (including Apple Music) and the HomePod really is designed to complement that.
The HomePod, overall, sounds incredible. But until they support other streaming services- I’m not buying one.
The Echo can stream Apple Music? I did not know that.
“Limited” as you call it is much like beauty and is in the eye of the beholder or in this case user.
While you may find it limited keep in mind that everyone’s use case is different.
I’m getting HomePod and since I use solely Apple Music it works for me. Now it may have shortcomings to you and that is what is known as a personal problem.
Your discontent with what you perceive to be lack of features will not tread of mine or anyone else’s enjoyment of HomePod.
If Apple ever allowed Amazon to do it, I believe it would, yes. Make no mistake, I think the HomePod is promising, but intentionally hamstrung for those not firmly in Apple's camp. I'm plenty Apple loyal (iPhone X, MacBook Pro from work, personal 27" iMac, kids have an iPad mini, wife has a MacBook), but they've created a product that if you don't subscribe to Apple Music, is largely worthless - the watch is similar, useless without an iPhone.
Wait, now you think it’s a great product and a week ago you couldn’t see the appeal? Priceless!
That’s it!
Sonos Play:1 limited edition ... you’re going up for sale! You’ve been limiting my audio experience from my PC, iPhone and iPad for too long (7mths).
I’ll be keeping a keen watchful eye on eBay next week. MBA will get backlight repaired and then I’ll be golden.
Can anyone with MB/MBP/MBA running Windows as a VM please let me know if sounds from Windows runs via the Mac Airplay to HomePod??
Thanks.
It’s not the cross-compatibility - even as an avid Apple Music user, I don’t disagree with cross-compatibility, but a “port”? To “plug in”?
Remember when the 3.5mm headphone jack went away and everyone was happy about it? I know, never happened.
I, however, embraced it. AirPods. Wireless. 2016 and beyond.
And you ask for a “port?”
Actually, IMO, an INPUT port should be considered a minimum requirement. It’s great to have a $349 amazing speaker - or two - to play music and sounds from the AppleTV, but what about other very common sources such as cable, blu-ray, etc?
Confirmed!
Just set to airplay from OSX and audio from Windows VM in Parallels coming out of HomePod.
If this thing has a Bose logo on it and no Siri I would probably buy 2.
But since it is designed manufactured and sold by Apple, I expect more. Instead we get huge delays and the promise of Stereo down the road.
But since it is designed manufactured and sold by Apple, I expect more. Instead we get huge delays and the promise of Stereo down the road.
I’m only slightly surprised that it sounds better than a $1000 Sonos setup. With Sonos that gets you what, a crummy playbar/base and a pair of Ones to use as surrounds? Pass.
I’m not all that surprised that the HomePod is a bit quiet for TV, being only 8W. My receiver puts out 95W per channel in stereo mode. Even then, when watching GoT on my ATV I have to turn the volume way up because HBO is quieter than Netflix and Hulu for some reason.
I’m not all that surprised that the HomePod is a bit quiet for TV, being only 8W. My receiver puts out 95W per channel in stereo mode. Even then, when watching GoT on my ATV I have to turn the volume way up because HBO is quieter than Netflix and Hulu for some reason.
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I think HomeKit is done incredibly well. Unifying connected hardware in the home vs all the mesh and mess that Android started out with - jumping to each conponent individually to gain control or pay for 3rd party devices with poor UI and connectivity restrictions. Both have evolved.
I also feel HomePod is the first of many other home speakers and an updated Conoinent to get legacy audio networked in the home (Record/CD/Cassette players and dare I say Mini/Hi-MD discs and 8 Tracks. I’m going through a pain with NetMD mini discs right now and yes I know it’s a LOt newer than 8-Track but it feels just as limiting).
I wonder what people will say when Siri is finally updated to say Jarvis class AI?! I know I’ll be happy.
PS: Siri is marketed as an Assistant not an AI. Apple says they’re working on AI but I think Sori (yes Siri is always sorry) isn’t yet.
Sweet Jesus!!
Thank you kind sir!!
This means my x240 will be going up for sale or to my son soon as well. Windows will finally remain where it should: at work and for my son until he chooses Mac.
Thank you again.
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And envious! I had wanted one back when they were first announced but my husband wanted no part of it. He filled the house with Echos.
I did worry Siri would be a hot mess but I’m happy to hear that she can hear ok on this.
Considering the NFL Alexa commercial I’d love for Siri to be able to play a mean joke on Echos/Alexa in the same house via a command lol. That would be awesome!!
Anyone have a savvy test for this?!
Sound is amazing, Siri's ability to hear you over the music is astonishing but... Siri is so dumb! I mean really dumb and she still has that awkward intonation that makes her sound like a robot.
What films are playing this weekend?
-Um there don't appear to be any movies playing in your area this weekend
-(some random movie playing at an obscure theatre)
-I can only do that if music is playing(!?)
What other films are playing this weekend?
-(same random movie playing at an obscure theatre)
Play the soundtrack from Starstruck (somewhat obscure movie but in my library)
-Sure here is the album Starstruck by Various Artists (wrong album)
Play the soundtrack from the movie Starstruck (somewhat obscure but in my library)
-Sure here is the album Starstruck by Various Artists (wrong album)
Play the movie soundtrack from Starstruck (somewhat obscure but in my library)
-Sure here is the album Starstruck by Various Artists (wrong album)
Play the album Starstruck from my library (somewhat obscure but in my library)
-Sure here is the album Starstruck by Various Artists (wrong album)
Play some a cappella music
-(first time it did)
-(second time on)Playing all your music on shuffle(!?)
Play some 70's disco
-Sorry but I couldn't find any music that matches what you're looking for
What films are playing this weekend?
-Um there don't appear to be any movies playing in your area this weekend
-(some random movie playing at an obscure theatre)
-I can only do that if music is playing(!?)
What other films are playing this weekend?
-(same random movie playing at an obscure theatre)
Play the soundtrack from Starstruck (somewhat obscure movie but in my library)
-Sure here is the album Starstruck by Various Artists (wrong album)
Play the soundtrack from the movie Starstruck (somewhat obscure but in my library)
-Sure here is the album Starstruck by Various Artists (wrong album)
Play the movie soundtrack from Starstruck (somewhat obscure but in my library)
-Sure here is the album Starstruck by Various Artists (wrong album)
Play the album Starstruck from my library (somewhat obscure but in my library)
-Sure here is the album Starstruck by Various Artists (wrong album)
Play some a cappella music
-(first time it did)
-(second time on)Playing all your music on shuffle(!?)
Play some 70's disco
-Sorry but I couldn't find any music that matches what you're looking for
It’s beginning to look like there are actually paid Apple trolls posting artificially positive posts on these forums.
I agree. That's why this forum is so helpful. Here you get advise from very "knowledgeable" people who have never seen or used the product.