Intrigued by HomePod....but who actually uses Hey Siri??

[Z3man]

Siri can barely understand English so you have no chance being Scottish.

I find it amazing that Siri is still so crap after being out for so many years, Apple should be ashamed of themselves.

Will be interesting to see how Siri performs on the 9th when i get the HomePod, but i am not expecting much, except good sound quality of course.

 

[Feenician]

Siri can barely understand English so you have no chance being Scottish.

I find it amazing that Siri is still so crap after being out for so many years, Apple should be ashamed of themselves.

Will be interesting to see how Siri performs on the 9th when i get the HomePod, but i am not expecting much, except good sound quality of course.

I’m also a Scot and have mixed results with Siri. If I try to dictate a message, it invariably gets mangled (Example: recently tried to send a message to my gf saying “please put the oven on at 350” using Siri over Carplay and after several even worse attempts the final version, before I gave up in frustration and growled at her to cancel, was “please put the oven on unborn babies”. ). However, in more limited problem domains, settings timers and reminders on the phone or iPad, and especially on the Apple TV (she seems to have no problems at all with “Show me Chevy Chase movies from the 80’s”) it’s much more successful. The Apple TV one in particular surprises me because it’s extremely fast and accurate, and a pretty useful time saver for idly searching things. I suppose it really is that it can break down sentence structure and fill in the blanks of actors/genres/decades more easily.

 

[mcdj]

I use Siri now and then, typically to ask the temperature. But I use Alexa/Echo daily for Hue lights, Wemo (turning on the A/C), starting various Harmony remote activities, and asking general questions.

Siri is just so inferior to Alexa on everything from voice recognition to basic knowledge, I just don’t know how Apple can compete with it.

I’m a fully Apple household and I would love something better than Echo, but if the HomePod has the same Siri “intelligence”, it’s gonna be a no go.

 

[deeside81]

I use Siri now and then, typically to ask the temperature. But I use Alexa/Echo daily for Hue lights, Wemo (turning on the A/C), starting various Harmony remote activities, and asking general questions.

Siri is just so inferior to Alexa on everything from voice recognition to basic knowledge, I just don’t know how Apple can compete with it.

I’m a fully Apple household and I would love something better than Echo, but if the HomePod has the same Siri “intelligence”, it’s gonna be a no go.

Yes I agree. If it can’t even pick up “hey Siri” in about 90% of attempts im putting it back. I just hope the array of 6 microphones will improve things.

 

[mikeb71]

I use Siri now and then, typically to ask the temperature. But I use Alexa/Echo daily for Hue lights, Wemo (turning on the A/C), starting various Harmony remote activities, and asking general questions.

Siri is just so inferior to Alexa on everything from voice recognition to basic knowledge, I just don’t know how Apple can compete with it.

I’m a fully Apple household and I would love something better than Echo, but if the HomePod has the same Siri “intelligence”, it’s gonna be a no go.

I feel exactly the same.
I'm also in a fully Apple household but wanted a good handsfree AI assistant and was hoping that at the point that Apple announced the HomePod that they would have also demoed some significant leaps in Siri's abilities, but it appears that we're going to get the same (if not a more restricted) version of Siri, and at a starting price of £319 for one HomePod I cannot justify the cost. I also had my first taste of using Alexa when I bought an Echo Show and found that it just blows Siri away on so many levels, not just with regards to how much it can control (Siri being restricted by the HomeKit requirements) but just the general functionality. The way she talks is far more 'human', and at times Siri makes me laugh/cringe because it's just so bad (when asking for directions to stop while using CarPlay, the response of "It's...stopped...now...Mike" just sounds so poor). Also, if I was to ask Siri (using Hey Siri) to give me some info about something and she starts reeling it off and if I want it to stop (either because it's not what I'm after or because I've heard enough) I have to use touch to get her to stop, whereas with Alexa you can ask for something and interrupt her just through voice, which works so much better. If they haven't at least fixed this for the HomePod it's going to become really annoying at times.
If the HomePod had been delivered on time, and therefore prior to my experience with using Alexa, I probably would have ordered one as that was my original intention, however, because of the delay and my purchase of the Echo Show in late December I've now moved on and have 2 Echo's, the Echo Show, an Echo Dot (connected to a Sony system and effectively replacing what the HomePod would have been bought for). My wife has also now bought an Echo Spot, and our Apple Music subscription has been cancelled as a consequence.
We both have the iPhone X, which we intend to keep for a minimum of 2 years, so it'll be interesting to see whether Amazon has another stab at the mobile phone market, or where things are with regards to Alexa being widely available on a mobile platform, so my next phone could end up being my first mobile that isn't an iPhone since the iPhone 3G, but we'll see.

 

[The Game 161]

Siri can barely understand English so you have no chance being Scottish.

I find it amazing that Siri is still so crap after being out for so many years, Apple should be ashamed of themselves.

Will be interesting to see how Siri performs on the 9th when i get the HomePod, but i am not expecting much, except good sound quality of course.

They say it can understand you from other side of the room so hopefully there are improvements.

Sir has always been ok for me understanding my voice for basic tasks as least.

 

[sam2428]

Great points everyone. I think those who really use "Hey Siri" or even Alexa for that matter are people who typically have more smart devices around there home. I too am an all Apple household, but have been holding off to buy these upgrades just to wait and see how things progress (and partially because my existing "dumb" devices work just fine).

I would like a smart lock, but my good ole deadbolt and key work fine. Smart thermostat would be nice too, but my new house came with one that is touch screen and programmable (which we have tuned to our typical schedules)....not sure how much more I would gain aside from controlling from my phone / any assistant.

A smart security camera system is something that is definitely on my list of things to get. Been looking at the Ring Spotlight cameras / Flood Light cameras. I know it is homekit compatible, but not sure how I would really use an assistant for security cameras.

 

[sax6575]

I feel like this thread is glossing over something major with the Homepod and it's intended use.
Yes, it has Siri built in, which is probably going to work just as well as it does on current iOS devices.
Personally, I only started using Hey Siri more when I got some smart lightbulbs.
But the Homepod's main use is for music. Granted, the main interface for interacting with it is Siri, I think it's main intended use is for a high quality music listening experience with the added function of a somewhat "smart" digital assistant.

I preordered one exclusively because I wanted something better than my bluetooth speaker for listening to music around the house, it's neat that Siri is there, but music is the focus for me. I have a feeling for most, it's about the music more than it is Siri...

 

[mmomega]

My wife has way more issues with her Siri than I do. My iPhone will hear me just fine across the room, beside me, pretty much within normal hearing distance. But she can speak just as loudly and her phone is like a defiant child sometimes.
Sometimes 3 times of Hey Siri and she'll give me a look and I'll just Hey Siri turn off the bedroom lights and click, then the wife is like "she just likes you more --- that bitch."

 

[sam2428]

I feel like this thread is glossing over something major with the Homepod and it's intended use.
Yes, it has Siri built in, which is probably going to work just as well as it does on current iOS devices.
Personally, I only started using Hey Siri more when I got some smart lightbulbs.
But the Homepod's main use is for music. Granted, the main interface for interacting with it is Siri, I think it's main intended use is for a high quality music listening experience with the added function of a somewhat "smart" digital assistant.

I preordered one exclusively because I wanted something better than my bluetooth speaker for listening to music around the house, it's neat that Siri is there, but music is the focus for me. I have a feeling for most, it's about the music more than it is Siri...

Although I agree Apple was focused on having great sound quality....I don't think you can say that listening to music was its main intended use (unless maybe you have had that convo with the Tim Cook or other Apple executives). Perhaps this was mentioned in an interview or something that I may have missed...

Ultimately it is still a smart speaker. If you look at the reviews that are being posted starting today....most of them compare the HomePod to other smart speakers. So I do think the intended use for the HomePod is to be a smart speaker first with a focus on exceptional sound quality. Just depends on how you look at it I guess.

Siri still needs to catch up to the competition for the HomePod to be worthwhile at least for me. I know Apple will still sell a ton, because that is just how die hard the Apple fanbase is (myself included). I will probably end up waiting to see how the next version of the speaker is or if I can find it a a discount later this year. I think the $150-200 range would be the ideal price for this.

Either way...this conversation has actually made me want to start investing in a lot more in home automation devices. Already started a list of starter homekit compatible items last night lol.

 

[WhiteHawk]

Have been wanting to upgrade my super old desktop speakers for my iMac

Why are you even mentioning that, this isn't what the HomePod is for, if you are using external speakers for your iMac then get a pair of powered audio monitors, the best you can afford and your set.

 

[sam2428]

Why are you even mentioning that, this isn't what the HomePod is for, if you are using external speakers for your iMac then get a pair of powered audio monitors, the best you can afford and your set.

Because that is where I would likely place the HomePod if I bought one? Many people will probably keep the HomePod on a desk so they can use it as an assistant too...

What is the HomePod for if it isn’t for listening to music? This is primarily what I use my desktop speakers for. Yes, its also there for if I watch a video on YouTube or something, but I have decent speakers with a sub for the audio.

 

[WhiteHawk]

Because that is where I would likely place the HomePod if I bought one? Many people will probably keep the HomePod on a desk so they can use it as an assistant too...

What is the HomePod for if it isn’t for listening to music? This is primarily what I use my desktop speakers for. Yes, its also there for if I watch a video on YouTube or something, but I have decent speakers with a sub for the audio.

Unless your speakers connected to your iMac are utter crude this will not be a step up, plus your adding complications and audio delay into the mix. If it works using a HomePod as a computer speaker it still isn't what it’s designed for, it might work but not well, just get a better set of speakers, NOT desktop speakers, NOT speakers designed for computers as they are all crap.

I have a set of Behringer Truth B2030P connected to a Yamaha amp, had them for years now and no interest in replacing them as they sound great. I think they were around the same price as the HomePod at the time but much better sounding (I know I haven’t heard it yet but there’s no chance). I know that they are probably bigger than some have room for, mine are wall mounted, but there are smaller options that will still give better audio than the HomePod will and be simpler too.

 

[cynics]

I use Hey Siri VERY often. Usually to control my HomeKit devices since its MUCH easier and faster. However I'll use Hey Siri to call people and text while driving.

Often I'll ask general questions too though. Like unit and currency conversions. Or fairly complex math equations (at least complex to me), square root of this divided by that etc.

Although I find it annoying you need to use (know) equations a lot of the time instead of asking for an answer directly. Easy example, C = pi x d instead of just asking for circumference from diameter.

Also settings timers and reminders is very useful for me. A lot of the time I'm too lazy to add an actual reminder for something that is relatively insignificant "Hey Siri remind me to look for (whatever) when I get home".

 

[The Game 161]

Because that is where I would likely place the HomePod if I bought one? Many people will probably keep the HomePod on a desk so they can use it as an assistant too...

What is the HomePod for if it isn’t for listening to music? This is primarily what I use my desktop speakers for. Yes, its also there for if I watch a video on YouTube or something, but I have decent speakers with a sub for the audio.

I will use mine more for podcasts to be honest

And to do my house lights. More so now I have bedroom, lounge and hall way lights set up

 

[potentmf]

I only use Siri to get the temp for the day and when I'm in the car and need to call someone. I use Ok Google for everything else. I have to really enunciate when talking to Siri, whereas with Google I don't.

 

[mangopango]

My wife has way more issues with her Siri than I do. My iPhone will hear me just fine across the room, beside me, pretty much within normal hearing distance. But she can speak just as loudly and her phone is like a defiant child sometimes.
Sometimes 3 times of Hey Siri and she'll give me a look and I'll just Hey Siri turn off the bedroom lights and click, then the wife is like "she just likes you more --- that bitch."

Hi, has she tried retraining Siri to recognize her voice?

Have her turn Siri off on her phone, wait a minute or so and then back on again. It should prompt her to set up Siri again. Have her take it slow and not skip any steps.

Go to Settings > General > Siri and toggle the Siri option to Off. Then, head to Settings > General > Keyboards and turn off “Enable Dictation.” After that, go ahead and toggle both of those back to on and she should have a clean slate with Siri

 

[Buerkletucson]

Call me an Apple fanboy and usually an early adopter. I am intrigued by the HomePod but not fully sold.

Have been wanting to upgrade my super old desktop speakers for my iMac, but who actually uses Hey Siri? I don’t and have literally never seen anyone actually use it. I just find It so much easier and quicker to just look up or do things manually on my phone (which I usually have with me 99% of the time)...

Maybe it is just me....

So just how do you play music from your iCloud music library?
Isn't that the main point of the Homepod.....high fidelity and ease to play the music you like?

Ask her to play xx song or xx playlist, and your set.
Airplay is secondary at best IMHO......

 

[TrueBlou]

Well I’ve been using Hey Siri on my iPhone and then my Apple Watch for quite some time now.

I always found it handy for setting timers, reminders, controlling my HomeKit devices and so much more.

Now that the HomePod is in my life, it gets used even more. There’s a ton of stuff it’s useful for. Maybe not everyone sees the potential, I get it, I was one of them until I started using it. Now I don’t think I’d like to be without it.