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HomePod vs. Echo vs. Google Home
- Thread starter maflynn
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Good point. interesting to note that Sonos is running a promo to get two of the Songs One devices for the same price as a single HomePod. (Shots fired!!)
Yeah, I had some of that and just relocated the Minis a bit. And tried to use a softer voice. I'd like them to respond to names, like "google kitchen set a timer...."
Fantastical doesn't merge stuff AFAIK, but it can show calendars from different accounts all in one place. I have Google, Fruux and Apple calendars in there. But I think even Apple Calendars does that. I've always needed to have separate calendar accounts, so haven't though about merging them. A family could have a shared google cal account though. What I don't know is if HomePod will be able to access only Apple-hosted calendars.
And BTW, there's an IFTTT applet that will add an event to your iOS Calendar from Google Home by saying "hey google add to iOS calendar haircut 4PM January 26." Then it's in your iOS Apple calendar. Doesn't seem to know "today" though, so use the date.
https://ifttt.com/applets/eX6zn2mD-create-an-event-on-your-iphone-s-calendar-with-google-home
These are mostly first looks. Here's another https://www.engadget.com/2018/01/26/apple-homepod-2018-release/
I have to agree with all that engadet had to say, even though they only got to play with the Homepod for an hour
It definitely sounds like the HomePod is impressive when it comes to sound and playing music, i don't know if audiophiles will be impressed tho? i'm not one and i love my AirPods which i use everyday. I was undecided at first about the HomePod but i have pre-ordered a Space Grey one, if i'm not impressed i will return it within the 14 days that Apple allow however from these first looks that are now appearing it sounds like i'm going to love it
Have you or are you going to order one? what do you think about these early reviews? from some posts i've seen on the forum people seem to think that Apple have either made the HomePod sound better than what it is under the controlled environment or that the people who were invited have only given good reviews in fear of upsetting Apple
Part of me really wants too, but in all honesty, I can't bring myself to spend 350 dollars, at least not right now.
I do think Apple is controling the information being let out right now. Once the embargo is lifted, we'll get more unbiased unfiltered information.
This is an area Apple has really chosen not to invest in and has fallen way behind the competition as a result. As the OP posted, look at the price difference as opposed to it's lack of functionality when compared to Amazon and Google. If getting a quality speaker with Siri built in is one's thing though, this device looks pretty decent.
And that's it right there. Siri just isn't a contender with other smart™ devices. Why has apple let Siri wither on the vine? I don't care about sports. I just want Siri to answer my basic questions. Not even complicated stuff. Why Can't Siri turn my TV (Apple TV) off and on? Why must Siri answer me form both my watch and phone. Will Siri ever understand me when I ask her to shuffle Cibo Matto?
Ok that last one is likely never to happen. But please Apple, can you invest a little money in Siri and not just change her voice again?
Another review from a Reddit post this time: https://9to5mac.com/2018/01/29/why-homepod-will-succeed/
It will be interesting to see if the hands on reviews (including my own) match up.
It will be interesting to see if the hands on reviews (including my own) match up.
The question is why isn't it? I just shake my head at apple missing the boat here. Apple announced HomeKit in June 2014, we're approaching 4 years and in that time we've seen little from Apple. Siri is not much better in 2018 as it was in 2014, yet we have Amazon catching Apple flat footed. I can use Alexa to control my heat, start/stop smart appliances, start my car (as per the Jeep commercial).
Sorry for the rant, but I think Apple missed a big opportunity to be on the ground floor on this technology.
I'd like to revive this thread a bit, given that we now have more indepth reviews. One question I have, is related to Siri and how it compares to Echo or Google.
Ther verge's review has them stating that Siri can't do as much as other assistants.
In that vein, can we get some solid examples of what Alexa or Google can do, that Siri cannot? I'm not looking to beat up Siri, but so far I from my limited research, I was happy with what it can do.
Ther verge's review has them stating that Siri can't do as much as other assistants.
In that vein, can we get some solid examples of what Alexa or Google can do, that Siri cannot? I'm not looking to beat up Siri, but so far I from my limited research, I was happy with what it can do.
I don't know about that but i was impressed with this video from iJustine, showing what Siri can do was at least for me impressive in that it can read text messages, knows information about songs and so on, personally i don't want to order a car (that hasn't really taken off here in the UK anyway) or order products, if i wanted to do that i would just go on my iPhone, iPad or Mac and use either Amazon or whatever where i can see what I'm ordering.
I get that Siri isn't up to task when it comes to the competition at the moment BUT i do think that Apple will be updating it over time, let's not forget that software updates to the HomePod will happen it's not like the HomePod will only be having it's current form of software. i'm looking forward to my first HomePod arriving on Friday
I know that Alexa can do things like order things from Amazon for example, not sure what else it can do.
Good point, I also saw in one review, that you can order an Uber ride, but Siri cannot
Yes you can with Alexa but not with Siri, i do think that Siri will get better over time with more updates Tim Cook confirmed it during an interview when he said "We are starting with a patch of those from the phone and you can bet there is a follow on activity there" when asked about Siri on the HomePod.
I think it just comes down to how you want to use them. I use Siri on my phone and Alexa throughout my house pretty interchangeably. My primary use case is using them to control my lights and other smart home pieces. Both systems work great for this. I can not say Siri or Alexa is better, I see no difference between the two. Both systems can handle my requests just fine 99% of the time. I will occasionally ask Alexa what the weather is, but Siri can handle that request as well just fine. I will set timers mostly with Alexa, but depending on where I am at in the house I may use Siri. The biggest downside to Siri for me is that more smart home pieces work with Alexa than Siri. My Harmony remotes for example allow me to control the tv using voice, whereas Siri does not integrate with the Harmony hub. Ive tried justifying HomePod every which way, but at $350 for my use case, it just does not make sense. I am sticking with Alexa for the foreseeable future, it just works with more products and is wayyyy cheaper.
As for music playback and ordering things.. I have never done either of them through the smart assistants.
As for music playback and ordering things.. I have never done either of them through the smart assistants.
That's the common thread with reviews, Siri is lacking but it will improve in time. The problem I have is that Apple had all of the time in the world, back before Amazon rolled out the Echo, and didn't really do anything with Siri. I'm happy they're now focusing some attention on Siri, but how long is "in time"
One big difference is that Alexa and Google know my voice, and can distinguish it from others. Like mulit-room audio, maybe that's coming for Siri. But nice to ask to read my texts and not get someone else's.
And it's kinda unfair to compare Siri itself to say Alexa, since Alexa can control many more hardware devices. And because they have pucks, you can do things like call another room, like an intercom.
Siri is also kinda set up to deliver to a phone, hence when asking general questions it can throw up some pretty relevant web urls. Alexa isn't very good at giving info in general; but with it's specific skills it's really good. Google is the best generalist; since with a voice response it has to select one result it makes pretty sure it gets the right one, more often than Siri. But hey, you'd expect a search engine to be better.
The Alexa skills thing is brilliant and there isn't really an analogue on Siri. It allows Alexa to focus on some specific, well, skills, and do those well. There are tons of them. See here for some business oriented ones, for example: https://www.pcmag.com/article/351544/23-must-have-alexa-skills-for-your-small-business
And with both Alexa and Google you can extend the functionality of your voice commands massively with applets in IFTTT and others. Some of that of course can do all sorts of iOS stuff, but you can do stuff specifically for say Alexa. And Google Home. You can control the voice commands, which helps a lot.
Again, it's kinda like Siri is a general purpose input device, while Alexa's skills are more focused. You can't say "read my email," but if you get a certain email skill and set it up then yeah, it works really well, and better than just asking Siri to "read my email," which is gonna get you everything lumped together. So Alexa can be more focused and customizable than Siri.
And with both Google and Alexa you can interrupt. Saying "stop Siri" isn't so effective when she's in the middle of something embarrassing... But I assume with the HomePod that must be changing, that you'll never have to use a button.
And it's kinda unfair to compare Siri itself to say Alexa, since Alexa can control many more hardware devices. And because they have pucks, you can do things like call another room, like an intercom.
Siri is also kinda set up to deliver to a phone, hence when asking general questions it can throw up some pretty relevant web urls. Alexa isn't very good at giving info in general; but with it's specific skills it's really good. Google is the best generalist; since with a voice response it has to select one result it makes pretty sure it gets the right one, more often than Siri. But hey, you'd expect a search engine to be better.
The Alexa skills thing is brilliant and there isn't really an analogue on Siri. It allows Alexa to focus on some specific, well, skills, and do those well. There are tons of them. See here for some business oriented ones, for example: https://www.pcmag.com/article/351544/23-must-have-alexa-skills-for-your-small-business
And with both Alexa and Google you can extend the functionality of your voice commands massively with applets in IFTTT and others. Some of that of course can do all sorts of iOS stuff, but you can do stuff specifically for say Alexa. And Google Home. You can control the voice commands, which helps a lot.
Again, it's kinda like Siri is a general purpose input device, while Alexa's skills are more focused. You can't say "read my email," but if you get a certain email skill and set it up then yeah, it works really well, and better than just asking Siri to "read my email," which is gonna get you everything lumped together. So Alexa can be more focused and customizable than Siri.
And with both Google and Alexa you can interrupt. Saying "stop Siri" isn't so effective when she's in the middle of something embarrassing... But I assume with the HomePod that must be changing, that you'll never have to use a button.
It has been interesting to read these comments in this thread. For me the HomePod is a non-starter for a few reasons.
1. Apple is emphasizing the playback of music quality and for me, that just isn't on the list much as I generally only use music around the house when I'm reading or just want the noise in the house.
2. Cost - not the cost of a single unit as I don't consider it too high. But to have a few of them in other rooms makes the cost to implement just too damned high!
3. Flexibility - Both Google Home and Echo line are more flexible in how/where/what you can do than is the HomePod with Siri.
In my home I have an Echo Plus, Echo, Dot, Show and Spot in various places. The Show is in the kitchen because I can do recipes hands free with it, very handy. I have a Google Home and Mini, mostly because they came with some deal or other that made them nearly free.
If/when Apple comes up with a HomePod 'mini' or some such, and improves Siri, I'll revisit the issue.
1. Apple is emphasizing the playback of music quality and for me, that just isn't on the list much as I generally only use music around the house when I'm reading or just want the noise in the house.
2. Cost - not the cost of a single unit as I don't consider it too high. But to have a few of them in other rooms makes the cost to implement just too damned high!
3. Flexibility - Both Google Home and Echo line are more flexible in how/where/what you can do than is the HomePod with Siri.
In my home I have an Echo Plus, Echo, Dot, Show and Spot in various places. The Show is in the kitchen because I can do recipes hands free with it, very handy. I have a Google Home and Mini, mostly because they came with some deal or other that made them nearly free.
If/when Apple comes up with a HomePod 'mini' or some such, and improves Siri, I'll revisit the issue.
What's odd is that Siri recognizes my voice but when my kids try it, Siri doesn't respond. I think in setting up the HP, my deeper voice more or less impacted their ability and they can only trigger Siri if they forcefully lower their voice