Siri on HomePod Correctly Answered 52.3% of Queries in New AI Test

[Naraxus]

Sorry to say that I think you are living in a dream world if you don't think that Google collects more information about its users than does Apple.

Google collects just about everything, they even scan your emails if you use gmail. However, Apple may have the most restrictive data sharing arrangement in the industry.

Take, for example, Siri and Google's voice assistant. Request made through Siri are completely masked as to identity even to Apple, while Google's voice assistant tags everything you request with your identity.

In terms of sharing user information Google is probably the worst in the industry, while Apple may be the best at protecting customer information and identity.

Lol. Nice attempt at obfuscation there but we're not talking about collecting data, we're talking about the selling of it, neither of which Google or Apple does. What they both do however is sell targeted ad slots or do you think iAds and "iTunes Recommended for You" just came out of thin air?

 

[citysnaps]

No, it isn't.

With the HP, each of seven tweeters, plus the woofer, receives a distinct audio signal. That is, by definition, 7.1 channel stereo. It could only be reasonably considered one channel if the seven tweeters were outputting exactly the same signal, and the woofer outputs the same signal as the tweeters, except with higher frequencies cut off.

That's not right either. It's a beamformed system. The goal is not to create an equivalent "7.1" system.

But...rather, using signal processing techniques, processing audio in such a way that multiple narrow (or wide) beams and nulls create a composite (and ideally, an enhanced) listening experience correcting acoustic flaws in the listening environment.

"Beams" are created from multiple but variable time-delayed versions of audio being transmitted through the seven speakers creating constructive interference patterns, which effectively positions sound in a room spatially. And "nulls" (think of reducing unwanted echo) are created similarly, but from destructive interference patterns created via different time-delayed versions of sound broadcast through the same seven speakers.

That's the simplified explanation. There's a lot more secret sauce involved. For example, taking into account that audio is relatively wideband (information bandwidth is a large percentage of spectrum center) in nature, producing ambiguities in the signal processing, producing imperfect results.

 

[dan9700]

im angry cos my home app doesn't work it says loading accessories and apple need to reset my HomeKit in the cloud and they are taking so long and finding it hard so right now can't even set up my homepod

 

[Jaywalk3r]

That's not right either. It's a beamformed system. The goal is not to create an equivalent "7.1" system.

The only thing 7.1 implies is seven discrete channels, with an additional driver to pick up the slack on lower frequencies. That is exactly what HomePod is. It is therefore a 7.1 "system", by definition, even if Apple doesn't refer to it as such.

ETA: Note that 7.1 stereo does NOT imply Surround Sound.

 

[citysnaps]

The only thing 7.1 implies is seven discrete channels, with an additional driver to pick up the slack on lower frequencies. That is exactly what HomePod is. It is therefore a 7.1 "system", by definition, even if Apple doesn't refer to it as such.

To call HomePod a 7.1 speaker system is totally missing the point of what HomePod is, how it works, the underlying technology (both the hardware and signal processing that drives it), and the issues it addresses.

There's a reason Apple doesn't call HomePod a 7.1 system.

 

[jjjjjooooo]

They’ve started to do this in iOS11 there something called Siri knowledge and it’s doesn’t seems like it was pulled from google.

Yeah, Siri and Spotlight Suggestions use Applebot.

 

[Bawstun]

You’re riffing. Apple’s reputation hasnt gone “through the floor” for anything.

AirPods? Best truly wireless earbuds.
HomePod? Best hardware in the space. Software can and will improve.
iPhone X? Huge hit. Best selling iPhone every week since released. FaceID is great. Best screen. Best still camera. Best silicon.

Lmao.

 

[boswald]

I couldn't care less. I use HomePod for music and that's it.

 

[Jaywalk3r]

To call HomePod a 7.1 speaker system is totally missing the point of what HomePod is, how it works, the underlying technology (both the hardware and signal processing that drives it), and the issues it addresses.

There's a reason Apple doesn't call HomePod a 7.1 system.

To fail to acknowledge that HP is a 7.1 system is totally missing the point of what HomePod is. The obvious reason that Apple doesn't use the 7.1 label is that, considering how many people erroneously consider the HP to be in the same device category as an Amazon Echo or Google Home, people would undoubtedly confuse 7.1 with surround sound. The HomePod is absolutely the former, and absolutely not the latter (though I expect Apple to incorporate the HP into a home theater speaker system within a couple years or sooner).

 

[citysnaps]

To fail to acknowledge that HP is a 7.1 system is totally missing the point of what HomePod is. The obvious reason that Apple doesn't use the 7.1 label is that, considering how many people erroneously consider the HP to be in the same device category as an Amazon Echo or Google Home, people would undoubtedly confuse 7.1 with surround sound. The HomePod is absolutely the former, and absolutely not the latter (though I expect Apple to incorporate the HP into a home theater speaker system within a couple years or sooner).

Not missing the point at all, or failing to acknowledge anything (I know how many speakers it has). But then I understand the technology driving HomePod and most importantly, its purpose.

Please...continue to call HomePod a 7.1 system if you need to, even though others, and especially Apple, will not.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Didn't Bose already do this? Seriois, that I feel like I have to say is serious as to not be construed as negative. My understanding was that this is kind of THE thing the boss all in ones tout.

Not to my knowledge. Firstly it was never a single speaker, they are multiple smaller speakers relying on direct positioning and an integrated amp in the subwoofer. Or in other words it tried to be a normal 'stereo' setup but with smaller speakers. It still was focussed on a main listening position and competing with the main 'stereo'.

i hear you. I'm personally just trying to see how this fits into my life, and since I can't, trying to see how it fits into others lives.

Sure fair enough

I'm most particularly trying to understand how people are justifying buying two of these in the same room. That's the point at which I imagine they're considering it a sound system replacement (maybe not and in making too many assumptions, part of why in here).

At this moment in time I can't see the point of that either. I mean first of all they don't work together, secondly even when they do work together in the future Apple already stated it is not a stereo setup in the traditional sense. From my current experience I would only get more than one in a room if the room is sufficiently large to warrant it, and then it is to 'enlarge' the sound stage. And at that I think it could be pretty awesome. Think a huge loft apartment or warehouse or barn conversion.

Or is are people just intimidated by calibration? When we are entering $700 territory we aren't talking about cheap anymore (and sky's is the limit when it comes to sound, but $700 will get you better than home theater in a box type equipment). Is it possible people just don't know what's out there? Do people not know what else $700 will get you? Are people buying two of these things for their media set up planning on also moving them around the house at will?

Possibly, but seriously $7000 will not get you better than home theatre in a box type equipment. But regardless of that, it isn't competing with home cinema I would suggest. I'd say it is competing with say something like this;

https://www.denon.co.uk/uk/product/compactsystem/mini/rcdm41dab
https://www.qacoustics.co.uk/q-acoustics-3010-compact-bookshelf-speakers-pair.html
http://www.van-damme.com/23.html
http://www.atacama-audio.co.uk/p/nexus-i-speaker-stands-600mm-23-6-pair?pp=24

Basically like a £500/$700 decent enough little stereo that actually took up quite a bit of cabling, space, etc. From the last few days of what I've heard, a single HomePod can easily replace that. But sure you can't play CDs nor receive DAB radio, if that is truly important than I guess that is not for everyone.

I guess, in short, I'm curious what existing audio video setup buyers of this product had. I can't see putting even one of these little onto in my living room set up as some people are discussing wanting to do

Agreed, that would be interesting and bring some context. For me it will replace instantly the above listing in our dining room. But no, it is not ready to replace what we've got in the living room as that is a full separated 5.1.2 system and that is not what the HomePod does.

 

[Jaywalk3r]

Not missing the point at all

Ok we'll see …

Are you claiming a) At any given time, two particular tweeters are outputting the EXACT same sound signals, or b) the driver count is not seven tweeters plus one woofer?

Those are the ONLY two ways in which the HomePod is not a 7.1 system.

Or are you redefining 7.1 so that it means whatever is convenient for you?

 

[Baymowe335]

Lmao.

Haha...no response for facts. You’re such a hater, lol. It’s comical.

 

[citysnaps]

Ok we'll see …

Are you claiming a) At any given time, two particular tweeters are outputting the EXACT same sound signals, or b) the driver count is not seven tweeters plus one woofer?

Those are the ONLY two ways in which the HomePod is not a 7.1 system.

Or are you redefining 7.1 so that it means whatever is convenient for you?

Jeeeez... Chill.

You may continue to call a Ford automobile a horseless carriage if you need to. I (and the rest of the world) will call it a car.

Rather than putting so much energy staying stuck on a trivial and very obvious label that no-one will use with respect to HomePod, why not spend a bit of time understanding what the underlying technology is about.

 

[Jaywalk3r]

Jeeeez... Chill.

I couldn't help but notice how you ignored the questions that highlighted unequivocally that the HP is, objectively, a 7.1 system. Perhaps you should take your own advice.

 

[cult hero]

That’s what we get for Apple keeping our information private. I feel like it’s a very small price to pay and I am not surprised at all that Google leads the way here. Their sole focus as a company is mining your data for advertising. Ultimately, it doesn’t affect me as I don’t use voice assistants this way. Smart home stuff and music is really hit. I’m sure the HomePod works well for these.

Ha. "Small price to pay." I stick with Apple because I am, in no way, interested in paying that "small price." If you don't want to pay that small price, you currently have a choice. If Apple gives up on that my options are basically having nothing to do with AI in that regard.

If you want what Google does, get Google's products. Problem solved.

Siri tends to do exactly what I want. The reality is that I haven't found any AI solution that's faster in most cases than I am making a query in the program that I want. I use AI for simple stuff I so hands free: reminders, hands-free dialing, and I imagine it would be relatively handy when I start using smart devices in my home.

Do I really need a speaker listening all the time so I can place an order on Amazon? I'm in no way saying the feature isn't cool or that no one should use it. But, for me, it's not that useful, even at the "small price" I have to pay on those services.

Apple's HomeKit forced encryption is a big deal to me. Again, if lowered security and privacy standards are a "small price" then you have a myriad of options in the market. I find Apple's focus here to be very appealing, even at the loss of functionality. (And, as I said, as a voice assistant Siri does just fine for my limited use cases.)

 

[CC77]

I measure the success of any purchase by the price / years of use.
There's nothing in the Home Pod that can't be improved upon over the next year or so that requires new hardware.
In that respect the Home Pod is a clear success. The software, and AI, are fixable.
Can you say the same about the other smart speakers?

I mean, yes? My Echo dot was $30 and I can plug it into whatever speaker or sound system I'll be using for the forseeable future. Software updates to Alexa happen all the time, and I can add and remove and update any third party skills too.

 

[citysnaps]

I couldn't help but notice how you ignored the questions that highlighted unequivocally that the HP is, objectively, a 7.1 system. Perhaps you should take your own advice.

I'm fine, thank you. Just trying to help move you beyond trivial labels.

The world knows it has seven speakers. And, those who are curious have drilled down a little deeper in understanding what it's about.

OTOH, please, continue to call HomePod a 7.1 system, if that helps you understand what it is.

 

[Jaywalk3r]

I'm fine, thank you. Just trying to help move you beyond trivial labels.

It's not a trivial label. It's an accurate description free of any buzz words.

 

[citysnaps]

It's not a trivial label. It's an accurate description free of any buzz words.

Ah... Buzz words. I understand where you're coming from now. That's OK. Have a good day.

 

[deanthedev]

Nice misinformation there. Google doesn't sell your personal data any more than Apple does.

He never said Google sold your personal data. What he said (and you even highlighted it) was:

“Their sole focus as a company is mining your data for advertising.”

Please explain how you went from mining your data (collecting if you prefer) to selling your data? That’s quite the jump.

His post is 100% correct. Google mines your data to allow for targeted ads. That doesn’t mean they sell your data to advertisers - it means Google knows which ads to show to you (based on the data it collects about you).

 

[DNichter]

Ha. "Small price to pay." I stick with Apple because I am, in no way, interested in paying that "small price." If you don't want to pay that small price, you currently have a choice. If Apple gives up on that my options are basically having nothing to do with AI in that regard.

If you want what Google does, get Google's products. Problem solved.

Siri tends to do exactly what I want. The reality is that I haven't found any AI solution that's faster in most cases than I am making a query in the program that I want. I use AI for simple stuff I so hands free: reminders, hands-free dialing, and I imagine it would be relatively handy when I start using smart devices in my home.

Do I really need a speaker listening all the time so I can place an order on Amazon? I'm in no way saying the feature isn't cool or that no one should use it. But, for me, it's not that useful, even at the "small price" I have to pay on those services.

Apple's HomeKit forced encryption is a big deal to me. Again, if lowered security and privacy standards are a "small price" then you have a myriad of options in the market. I find Apple's focus here to be very appealing, even at the loss of functionality. (And, as I said, as a voice assistant Siri does just fine for my limited use cases.)

I’m not so sure on what you’re getting at, but I think we are in agreement.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

You should read what you are writing... nothing but excuses for Apple. It doesn't need to be as good as Google Home or Alexa, are you KIDDING? The worst thing about this product is Siri, a crap piece of software that Apple acquired from another company. I have Siri permanently turned off on all my iOS devices. It's completely useless, doesn't understand any damn thing. I go to my friend's house and Alexa is a dream to use compared to the crapware called Siri.

 

[deanthedev]

It's not a trivial label. It's an accurate description free of any buzz words.

Sorry, but you are wrong. 7.1 has a specific definition (as did 5.1 before it). You might want to read this.

https://www.dolby.com/us/en/technologies/dolby-surround-7-1-for-theater-tech-paper.pdf

 

[PsykX]

Steve Jobs didn’t launch Siri or the 4S. He was on his death bead the day it launched.

You're right, I was sure he made the keynote.
That doesn't change the fact that his involvement in Siri is close to 100%. Hell they say even the iPhone 5 was his own thing.