HomePod vs. Echo vs. Google Home

[Donar]

I'm glad people brought up the Sonos One here as well. Right now I am trying to decide whether to buy a pair of Sonos Ones and have stereo sound for 50$ more than the HomePod or just wait for the HomePod.

I think that is a good question. Unfortunately i have not found any "review" that tried to compare two Sonos One/Play 1 setup as a stereo pair against one HomePod.

Being immersed into the Apple ecosystem Amazon and Google products can't benefit me as much as I would prefer. Like sending iMessages, modifying my calendar, Notes, Reminders and getting me that data on other devices like my iPhone, Watch, and iMac.

At least for the calendar part i read some instructions on imore for connecting icloud calendar to Amazon Echo. But i don't know about Notes and Reminders though.

 

[tomtrevorrow]

I think the HomePod is intended to be Apple TV’s speaker system, so that music and video content directed to and from the TV will have superior sound with easy setup. Siri would make navigating convenient. Finally, Siri would be available to use for gathering info from the web.

 

[Dave245]

I'm not sure if this is new as i've only just seen it, has anyone else noticed this? HomePod is being mentioned in the Home App on the iPhone. I wonder if the HomePod will get a release date soon.

Also seen this report that 1 million HomePods's have started to make their way to Apple https://9to5mac.com/2018/01/17/report-inventec-shipping-first-1-million-homepod/

 

[cynics]

At least for the calendar part i read some instructions on imore for connecting icloud calendar to Amazon Echo. But i don't know about Notes and Reminders though.

As I was typing that post that thought crossed my mind. I believe calendar is open to accounts you tie too it. Not sure if you have to same level of integration (location w/ maps for example) but calendar should probably be removed from that short list.

However it should go further than that sharing anything iCloud related. Wifi networks, devices (ex. hey siri connect to my AirPods) and their locations (ex. hey siri where is my iPhone), FmF (ex hey siri where is John Doe, playlist and favorite music, etc etc.

Wont know until we get it I guess plus I'm sure there will be an initial release buyers tax as features and functions are absent.

Amazon's Alexa is pretty good and often helpful but I find it to be more of a novelty. Unfortunately I dont have an Android phone to see Google Homes usefulness like I expect Apple to have (eventually). But even then I wonder how deep Google Home can dive into the phone considering you might be leveraging the devices manufacturers functions outside of the stock Android experience.

 

[madeirabhoy]

As I was typing that post that thought crossed my mind. I believe calendar is open to accounts you tie too it. Not sure if you have to same level of integration (location w/ maps for example) but calendar should probably be removed from that short list.

However it should go further than that sharing anything iCloud related. Wifi networks, devices (ex. hey siri connect to my AirPods) and their locations (ex. hey siri where is my iPhone), FmF (ex hey siri where is John Doe, playlist and favorite music, etc etc.

Wont know until we get it I guess plus I'm sure there will be an initial release buyers tax as features and functions are absent.

Amazon's Alexa is pretty good and often helpful but I find it to be more of a novelty. Unfortunately I dont have an Android phone to see Google Homes usefulness like I expect Apple to have (eventually). But even then I wonder how deep Google Home can dive into the phone considering you might be leveraging the devices manufacturers functions outside of the stock Android experience.

that's something I'm struggling with, trying to tie up my calendar to my google home. I don't actually care if I end up using the apple calendar or the google one, but I need to be able to tell siri on my watch to remind me of things, and I want to be able to ask google about my calendar. I tried a widget on ifTTT but so far I haven't had success.

 

[cynics]

that's something I'm struggling with, trying to tie up my calendar to my google home. I don't actually care if I end up using the apple calendar or the google one, but I need to be able to tell siri on my watch to remind me of things, and I want to be able to ask google about my calendar. I tried a widget on ifTTT but so far I haven't had success.

I don’t use Google for calendar however if you goto

Settings > accounts & passwords > gmail (you’ll need your gmail on the device) > calendar toggle on

On your iOS device it might (again I don’t use it) sync them into your calendar app on that device.

Then I would presume adding an event via google home would sync to that device.

 

[Wide opeN]

I would like a Home Pod, but the price reeks of customer abuse almost.

What advantage does this thing have over say for instance a sound bar setup...

I would be buying primarily for music purposes. This product seems like a cash grab, similar to getting rid of 128GB of storage.

Hopefully the market speaks, and Apple rethinks.

 

[sctw]

I guess this is where Apple is looking to leverage their ability to produce great sound, and from the early reports of when it was announced, I'd say it will be so.

Ok, they might offer superior sound but besides that there is nothing really else compelling about homepod...only offers support for Apple Music and Siri? Why?

Sonos Play 5 has been around for years now, sounds great and easily added a Soundbase for the family room and Play Ones for the bedrooms. It works seamlessly and sounds great plus software is open to Alexa, Google (Play One or line in with older models) Spotify, Apple music, SiriusXM, etc. Plus they are partnering with Ikea to integrate this into future products. Smart.

Apple should spend less time building monuments to themselves (HQ) and focus more on delivering a more compelling product.

 

[AFEPPL]

I dont want a fat BT speaker, I have existing solutions already so the amazon stuff is perfect size wise and as an AI assistant it's much better than SIRI.

 

[cynics]

Ok, they might offer superior sound but besides that there is nothing really else compelling about homepod...only offers support for Apple Music and Siri? Why?

Sonos Play 5 has been around for years now, sounds great and easily added a Soundbase for the family room and Play Ones for the bedrooms. It works seamlessly and sounds great plus software is open to Alexa, Google (Play One or line in with older models) Spotify, Apple music, SiriusXM, etc. Plus they are partnering with Ikea to integrate this into future products. Smart.

Apple should spend less time building monuments to themselves (HQ) and focus more on delivering a more compelling product.

Superior sound to what? If you are referencing other high end WiFi speakers than it’s already significantly cheaper.

I think it’s going to place it’s between the Sonos Play 3 and 5. Or near the Bose SoundTouch 20 (which I don’t like). And if that’s true $350 is competitive since those are natively smart speakers.

 

[urkel]

I really am tempted for the homepod, but it seems to be mostly a music player, where as Amazon is extending alexa in ways that Apple should have, long ago. I mean they announced (or released) homekit way back in 2014, and they're still just barely scratching the surface with home automation. This stuff should have been up Apple's ally

I own a few Echos and picked up a few Google Home during the $29 sale. (And I even got an Alexa Enabled Sonos Play 1 but I'm returning that today) Both platforms work fantastic and have unique features but what I really want is a simple Apple-centric one to fit my Apple Ecosystem. Unfortunately, the HomePod still isnt it.

They updated the HomePod page and there's no surprise new features. Instead it looks like theyre barely getting this to work because several key features are marked as "Coming later this year". Ugh. Why is Apple so far behind in a feature that they pioneered?!?

 

[MistrSynistr]

The Sonos One makes much more sense. Probably has close to if not the same audio quality, more features, and you know for sure it can be used as a wireless speaker for home theater. Oh, and it's $150 LESS.

 

[whsbuss]

The Sonos One makes much more sense. Probably has close to if not the same audio quality, more features, and you know for sure it can be used as a wireless speaker for home theater. Oh, and it's $150 LESS.

That's why I got mine on Cyber Monday on sale.

 

[Ma2k5]

I think a hugely upgraded Siri (v2.0) would be necessary. If you want a good sounding speaker, you can get much better for less, you are otherwise paying the premium for sub standard voice AI/automation capabiiities (imo). Apple need to up their game.

 

[Vermifuge]

I love my Apple ecosystem... I have my Macs, My iPhones, My iPads, Watches and Apple TV... Needless to say I'm probably what most PC/Android people would call an iSheep or Fanboy... But one thing I can say without hesitation is how poorly conceived Siri is. Sure Siri had a great head start but it feels like it stalled out of the gate. The only things Siri does reliably (For me™) are tell the weather, set the alarm and turning the lights on and off.

Without multi-room and stereo the HomePod is just a Siri powered "smart" speaker. Apple can't even get my watch and phone to stop simultaneously answering my "Hey Siri" requests. The last thing I need is a so called smart speaker getting in the mix. It would be one thing is Siri truly impressed me, I would get the HomePod without hesitation. but without stereo pairing or multi room, Apple isn't offering me any value over what I already have with my Sonos system.

I have considered Echo and Google home. However I don't subscribe to Prime, and Google quietly dropped it's "don't be evil" motto years ago. I really thought I would get the Sonos: One until I learned the Sonos One can't be prepared with the Sonos 1. Yeah, how ridiculous is that!?

So it looks like I'm on the sidelines once again. I'll keep an eye on the reviews and hopefully Apple further improves both Siri and the the HomePod. As of today Apple hasn't convinced me they deliver a truly "smart" speaker not to mention priced at a rather lofty $349.

 

[robgendreau]

I am a big Apple user, like Vermifuge, but the Apple home stuff is a hard pass for me as well. I use Siri in the car cuz I have to, but that's it. Geez, it's easier for me to ask my Google mini something than Siri and get a decent answer.

I would say that the Echo is the best in terms of control though. I have an Echo and a Google Home Mini about the same distance from my wifi router and the Google Mini gets flummoxed when the Echo almost never does. And the Echo is the default control for any home automation; Apple's HomePod is the Zune by comparison. Might be OK for someone who doesn't already have any decent bookshelf or other BT speakers or something, but meh. And it doesn't even work with Spotify or Pandora now, right? OMG.

The Google is great at getting basic calendar info I have synched via Google Cal (I use Fantastical on macOS). Better for inquiries, and it works great with a Chromecast Audio if you wanna send music to a non-BT sound system. For BT. The Alexa, esp with IFTTT, is great for more automated things and lights, like it will do Ikea's very affordable bulbs while Google won't.

Google's documentation and help and such are kinda awful, but Apple's wasn't great. I pretty much gave up on HomeKit and just use other dedicated apps for various tasks like lights. Alexa is the easiest to setup and use I thought.

Another thing Apple doesn't seem to get is that these things should come in small and cheap versions, like the Dot and Mini. You can do stuff like use 'em as intercoms, and have them all 'round. Having just one in one room kinda lags. We have one for a media room and other's elsewhere (I got Minis for about $7/each). Really helps.

 

[Eduardo75890]

While the Amazon Echo and Google Home do have better voice assistants I personally prefer sound quality, yes I will be using the HomePod to set alarms and maybe ask for new songs but other than that i won’t use Siri much like with my iPhone and iPad Pro. The one advantage I see with the HomePod is on security. The questions I have surrounding the HomePod are:

How will it work if I want to set an alarm on my HomePod “Hey Siri set my alarm for 4am” but there are other devices in the room like my iPhone?

Will Apple be adding new features at WWDC? Like iOS could we see additional features and maybe even developer access.

I do think Amazon and Google have an advantage as far as the assistant goes BUT I think Apple can build a better quality product.

Most likely there will be firmware updates since the HomePod is powered my the A8 chip that was in the iPhone 6. It will likely run with iOS or its own OS I would love if it had it's own os not run on iOS like the iPad runs on iOS like a iPhone.

 

[Vermifuge]

While the Amazon Echo and Google Home do have better voice assistants I personally prefer sound quality, yes I will be using the HomePod to set alarms and maybe ask for new songs but other than that i won’t use Siri much like with my iPhone and iPad Pro. The one advantage I see with the HomePod is on security. The questions I have surrounding the HomePod are:

How will it work if I want to set an alarm on my HomePod “Hey Siri set my alarm for 4am” but there are other devices in the room like my iPhone?

Will Apple be adding new features at WWDC? Like iOS could we see additional features and maybe even developer access.

I do think Amazon and Google have an advantage as far as the assistant goes BUT I think Apple can build a better quality product.

Why not go with the Sonos, wouldn't that would arguably give you the best of both worlds?

 

[fokmik]

homePOD for me, for homeKIT and that FLAC support

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I have four dots, one Show and now a Spot in my home. I will get the HomePod but more for Apple Music then HomeKit. There just aren’t enough HomeKit compatible devices on the market for me to ditch amazon

 

[madeirabhoy]

I am a big Apple user, like Vermifuge, but the Apple home stuff is a hard pass for me as well. I use Siri in the car cuz I have to, but that's it. Geez, it's easier for me to ask my Google mini something than Siri and get a decent answer.

I would say that the Echo is the best in terms of control though. I have an Echo and a Google Home Mini about the same distance from my wifi router and the Google Mini gets flummoxed when the Echo almost never does. And the Echo is the default control for any home automation; Apple's HomePod is the Zune by comparison. Might be OK for someone who doesn't already have any decent bookshelf or other BT speakers or something, but meh. And it doesn't even work with Spotify or Pandora now, right? OMG.

The Google is great at getting basic calendar info I have synched via Google Cal (I use Fantastical on macOS). Better for inquiries, and it works great with a Chromecast Audio if you wanna send music to a non-BT sound system. For BT. The Alexa, esp with IFTTT, is great for more automated things and lights, like it will do Ikea's very affordable bulbs while Google won't.

Google's documentation and help and such are kinda awful, but Apple's wasn't great. I pretty much gave up on HomeKit and just use other dedicated apps for various tasks like lights. Alexa is the easiest to setup and use I thought.

Another thing Apple doesn't seem to get is that these things should come in small and cheap versions, like the Dot and Mini. You can do stuff like use 'em as intercoms, and have them all 'round. Having just one in one room kinda lags. We have one for a media room and other's elsewhere (I got Minis for about $7/each). Really helps.

the one thing google keeps doing which I'm not sure if its the boxes that are flummoxed or its me is, I have a google home in the lounge and a google home mini in the kitchen. often I'm say in the kitchen and I ask google something and I can distantly hear the google home answering me in the lounge, or vice versa.

and another thing if google is listening, the google homes would be so much better if there was a button on them, or a way of getting their attention without saying 'hey google'. when in the kitchen and 30cm away from the box it would be so much quicker to press a button like you can on my iPhone or apple watch to get siri.


does fantastical make it easier for google and apple calendars to merge? that's another thing I really want, is an easy way to have both of them identical as sometimes its easier to use siri to add an event or reminder, and sometimes its easier to use google either to add something or to check it.

 

[Dave245]

reviews are starting to come in:

https://9to5mac.com/2018/01/25/homepod-hands-on-superior-sound/

 

[Kiimora]

I am already entertaining the idea of jumping on the HP wagon, however I don’t make a habit of buying the first model of products. The reviews could sway my perception who knows.

For now I love my Sonos ensemble, unfortunately Siri doesn’t

 

[fokmik]

reviews are starting to come in:

https://9to5mac.com/2018/01/25/homepod-hands-on-superior-sound/

No review there..just a feature found

 

[srikat]

https://medium.com/@LanceUlanoff/up-close-with-apple-homepod-siris-expensive-new-home-22f1ee0e682