HomePod Music Streams Don't Count Toward Apple Music and iTunes Device Limits

[iGeek2014]

Anyone know if Home Pod will respond to request for specific playlists (even from Apple Music subscribers)? Read somewhere today that it won't, but not sure that's accurate.

Looking at iMore unless I misunderstand they say the following:

Additionally, Apple Music subscribers will be able to access any track or playlist from their iCloud Music Library by requesting it from Siri by asking "play my music," or "play my music from [x]."

So, to me, it’d appear if you’re an Apple Music subscriber (at least) you can say ‘Play my Cheesy 80s Pop playlist’ and it’d kick in.

 

[62tele]

Serious question, what else do you want it to do that it cant do already? I've only ever come across one command that I used that Alexa was able to answer that Siri could not. I once asked Alexa if a dog could eat squash and somehow she had an answer for that. I know there are a lot of small skills and weird things that you can ask Alexa that Siri can not answer but its not stuff I ever use.

This is really a YMMV kind of deal. I use Siri a fair amount through my iPhone and iPad. It works for most things I need but it still falls short in some areas compared to Alexa and Google IMO. I simply don't need another speaker. I am not leaving a perfectly fine Sonos speaker for HomePod.
Here's the bottom line to me. It would be nice is Apple did something with AI, personal assistant services that was a step above the competition. However, they are still playing catch up. Not being able to make a call from HomePod should be child's play.
I'm not leaving my Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV but I'm not as wowed by Apple's recent developments. AirPods and HomePods are nice for some people but they aren't rocking my world.
Personally I no longer believe that Apple can deliver a transformative product. Hell, I don't think they can do what they used to do so well. See a product category and take it to the next level like they did with the iPod and iPhone.
They still make products I prefer. I just don't open my wallet to their new offerings like I once did. My Apple Watch is collecting dust and I'm not going to make the same mistake with the HomePod.

 

[RedKite]

Generally they have to do with whatever deal was worked out with the record companies for licensing. It’s a bargaining chip for both sides.

I do know the purpose however a company like Apple or Sony in my case have the heft to create beneficial contracts. I believe part of it is also to prevent piracy. But any piracy prevention techniques that impact on genuine consumers are failures.