I find it the opposite I prefer HomeKit and Siri over using my echo
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Google Says Assistant Works With Over 5,000 Smart Home Devices, HomeKit/Siri Around 200
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Practically my whole house is automated now. It happened gradually, without any specific plan. It's just that whenever I needed an item either new or replacement, I chose the Alexa compatible option. It usually takes less than a minute to pair the thing with Alexa, then it's mindless. I tell the thing to do something, and it does it.
If I feel like automating a thing, I just order the cheapest Alexa way to automate it, and it just works.
I messed around with Siri a bit to compare with Alexa for automation. Siri is pathetic in comparison.
Lots of luddites around here lately.
Sorry but I'm an Apple fan and if a gadget doesn't support HomeKit I'm not buying it.
Works with 5000 devices and listens in on every conversation you have 24/7.
I'm sure you can trust them with that....right?
I'm sure you can trust them with that....right?
I think that ship already sailed with their Fire Phone not succeeding.
My entire apartment is now automated via Alexa. I love it! It’s like living in the future. I tried Homekit first for a while and it just didn’t cut it for me. Every day I get amazed at how cool old things are given new life again now that they are automated. Haha. I’m easily amused 
Yes, I really wish Apple Homekit would open up a bit more to the masses of other devices out there. It would also help boost this realm of the economy and move this technology forward alot quicker IMO.
Misleading article. The actual facts are below:
https://9to5mac.com/2018/02/26/icloud-servers-google/
"Data stored on Google may include contacts, calendars, photos, videos, documents and more, but Apple is keen to stress that Google has no means of accessing that data.
Each file is broken into chunks and encrypted by iCloud using AES-128 and a key derived from each chunk’s contents that utilizes SHA-256. The keys and the file’s metadata are stored by Apple in the user’s iCloud account. The encrypted chunks of the file are stored, without any user-identifying information, using third-party storage services, such as S3 and Google Cloud Platform.
All Google would see is meaningless encrypted data, with no way to tie even that to any particular individual. Apple doesn’t go into specifics about its use of third-party servers, so it’s possible that the same user data is spread across more than one platform."
That "don't trust them" argument is dumb. If that's your position don't put listening devices in your home FULL STOP.
To all the people touting Apple’s superior security: Most people don’t care.
Should they care? Yes. They also shouldn’t have passwords like 123456 or PASSWORD but those are still in the top 10 of passwords used.
So what DO they care about? Price. Unless there is some extra reason NOT to go with a cheaper product, that’s what people do. And most people buying and most companies supplying home automation are a lot more concerned about price than about security.
Should they care? Yes. They also shouldn’t have passwords like 123456 or PASSWORD but those are still in the top 10 of passwords used.
So what DO they care about? Price. Unless there is some extra reason NOT to go with a cheaper product, that’s what people do. And most people buying and most companies supplying home automation are a lot more concerned about price than about security.
oven would be nice. So would washer / dryer.
"Hey Siri, dry my clothes an additional 30 minutes". would be nice eh.
the thermostat is great hooked up with automation. Monday when I left the house it was 4c out. My system was still on "HEAT" mode. by 5pm, it was 30c out. I was able to remotely via voice while I was driving change the mode to cool and set the temp so when I got home, it was more comfortable (it was up to 27c in the house before I did that)
Oh I'm sorry I posted "your oh so secure Apple stuff lives on Google servers" and gave a link that shows that's true. You gave an argument proving what exactly? It may this? encryption that? maybe on this platform, maybe not?. Everything I said is provable true and you provided nothing to disprove my original statement.
Not sure how telling these numbers are. If the 200 devices Apple interfaces with exceeds the quality and needs for home automation, then no problem. Venders would rather be on a selling list with 200 then 5,000. Overwhelming choices are not always a good thing. Apples challenge not numbers but quality of the home automation experience. Struggling at bit!
More accurate headline:
Google Declines To Say Assistant Spies Using Over 5,000 Smart Home Devices.
Google Declines To Say Assistant Spies Using Over 5,000 Smart Home Devices.
you forgot your tinfoil hat
not sure how a lightbulb, with no speakers, cameras, etc are spying on you...
you're just being ridiculous. and the fact you felt like oyu needed to bold and increase the font means you've got nothing to say, but think you do. just because you scream this loudly doesn't make it any more true.
Apple spies on you too but isn't sure how to use your data to improve their products LOL.
Anything online that's cloud based these days will have some metrics reported back for use. Even Homekit enabled devices. Many of which are compatible with all the platforms. Just because you are using HomeKit to control it, doesn't mean that the device itself is anymore secure than if Google/Alexa was running it.
IoT's security is a concern, But not for the same reason that many people in here screaming how homekit automatically means their secure and not being "spied upon".
The big difference between why there are so many devices for one tech and not Apples, is because of Apple's own business practices. When you have to pay to develop for homekit, but can do so for Home/Alexa for free, more development is going to focus on the free side.
I, too, want a HomeKit utility on macOS!
Also, when you use Google, you sell your privacy to the highest bidder. I love design and functionality of the Nest thermostat, but am unwilling to provide Google with data for the forensic investigation into my life.
Also, when you use Google, you sell your privacy to the highest bidder. I love design and functionality of the Nest thermostat, but am unwilling to provide Google with data for the forensic investigation into my life.
I got 2000 channels of sh*t on the TV to choose from.
Perhaps only 3 or 4 are of any use, but there must be at least 400 or more of sports that I have zero interest in.
Ironically, if I reduce my channels it will cost me more! Spectrum bundling works that way.... evil bastids.
you forgot your tinfoil hat
not sure how a lightbulb, with no speakers, cameras, etc are spying on you...
you're just being ridiculous. and the fact you felt like oyu needed to bold and increase the font means you've got nothing to say, but think you do. just because you scream this loudly doesn't make it any more true.
My oh my. Calm down folks. Roll on the ground and the fire will go out.
A) was a joke because data collection IS Google's business model -- of course they are mining the data of how you do things in your home and selling that data to companies.
B) I felt the need to KEEP the headline in the same font and size because, you know, parody. The fact that got your nose out of joint means it was successful. Heh.
I said the article was misleading because Apple encrypts it and separates the user name from the data. It is essentially just chunks of data to google and they can't do their usually spying on you like they can if you aren't using Apple.
Apple's point about Google and their privacy issues is still their valid position.