For the past two years I’ve been building out my “smart home” setup which mainly consisted of lutron light switches, TP-Link smart plugs, and various google home and chromecast devices for audio throughout the house.
Last month due to several different issues, I decided that I wanted to switch from Google devices to Apple. I sold my Lenovo Smart Display, OG Google Home, 3x Google Home Minis, Chomecast Ultra, 2x Chromecast Audios and 3x TP-Link smart plugs (because they announced that their HomeKit support was DOA). The google stuff sold surprisingly fast and since most of it was purchased on sale or given as part of a promotion, I was only out about $20. With the funds from selling those devices plus some extra cash, I bought 2 Homepods and a Lutron smart plug for the bedroom lamp.
Compared to Google Assistant, Siri is still dumb. Fortunately it’s good enough for most tasks and the mic setup on the HomePods is fantastic. Music quality wise, the HomePod in the kitchen sounds way better than the Smart Display it replaced (that sounded cool but didn’t get much use) and the one in the bedroom is about equivalent to the Google Home mini + Chromecast audio + bookshelf speakers I was using before (but uses less plugs and wires). I already had an ATV4, so it’s back to being used as the main streaming box. The other rooms where I used to have google home minis, I just use Siri on my Apple Watch or phone.
Overall it’s been a pleasant experience, not too painful or expensive. I’d attribute the ease of switching to planning ahead and Installing the Lutron setup instead of one of the less expensive options. I also don’t have much in the way of smart locks or other devices, but they’ll be coming soon!
Last month due to several different issues, I decided that I wanted to switch from Google devices to Apple. I sold my Lenovo Smart Display, OG Google Home, 3x Google Home Minis, Chomecast Ultra, 2x Chromecast Audios and 3x TP-Link smart plugs (because they announced that their HomeKit support was DOA). The google stuff sold surprisingly fast and since most of it was purchased on sale or given as part of a promotion, I was only out about $20. With the funds from selling those devices plus some extra cash, I bought 2 Homepods and a Lutron smart plug for the bedroom lamp.
Compared to Google Assistant, Siri is still dumb. Fortunately it’s good enough for most tasks and the mic setup on the HomePods is fantastic. Music quality wise, the HomePod in the kitchen sounds way better than the Smart Display it replaced (that sounded cool but didn’t get much use) and the one in the bedroom is about equivalent to the Google Home mini + Chromecast audio + bookshelf speakers I was using before (but uses less plugs and wires). I already had an ATV4, so it’s back to being used as the main streaming box. The other rooms where I used to have google home minis, I just use Siri on my Apple Watch or phone.
Overall it’s been a pleasant experience, not too painful or expensive. I’d attribute the ease of switching to planning ahead and Installing the Lutron setup instead of one of the less expensive options. I also don’t have much in the way of smart locks or other devices, but they’ll be coming soon!