MacRumors Community,
Note: I wrote quite a novel (I apologize). Part A is the story and Part B is relative information. Though reading Part A may allow you to better assist.
Part A.
Approximately two months ago, I introduced home automation. I purchased a Philips - Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Starter Kit - Multicolor, 3 of those bulbs in the bed room and 1 of those bulbs in the common room. I also purchased 2 Philips - Hue Lightstrip Plus Dimmable LED Smart Light - Multicolor placed behind the common room television. I absolutely love it! If you’re reading this far, you know how convenient Philips Hue is.
Regardless, I plan to implement more Philips Hue throughout the home. Eventually all light fixtures, as well as including motion sensors, switches, plugs, etc. I know this is the more expensive brand (there’s many brands similar to Philips Hue), however I feel more comfortable paying a premium for an electronics company that has a reputation (after all, we are Apple consumers and appreciate reputation).
I plan to move in a home within the next year that I’ll be in for the next 20 years, approximately. Therefore, I also plan to invest into home automation in the form of home security, thermostat, garage door, light switches, blinds (If I truly go wild) etc.
For a 5 year anniversary gift from an employer, I was given the choice of approximately 25 items. I was leaning more towards an electric mop (sounds scary) or a gold plated lapel with the employer name and a few small diamonds on it (significant other said I’m lame if I had chosen that). Though I’m satisfied with our home wifi, the significant other feels differently (it’s AT&T’s middle of the road internet though I’d admit I need to investigate as it boils down to the internet wiring that is running to your home that limits the quality from what I understand). Therefore, the significant other usually disconnects from wifi once home. This creates an issue with controlling Philips Hue. Therefore, the significant other convinced me into choosing an Amazon Echo Show 5, which was one of the choices.
I will use a home assistant for all requests except for call, text and other personal services. I’m an honest individual, however I don’t want the significant other meddling in any personal communications (even in the reverse, I respect privacy) nor do I even feel comfortable relinquishing that ability, information, etc. to a home assistant but maybe I will become more trusting and comfortable in time. Nevertheless, Apple HomeKit only allows one user. Amazon Alexa requires each user to request Alexa to change profiles while Google can indefinitely the person by voice (if I understand correctly). I attempted to allow the significant other to create yet another account (significant other is already a household user of a relatives account) but does not wish to make changes as long as Alexa responds to basic requests and commands. Though significant other also is in charge of grocery shopping, so when an item is added to a shopping list via Amazon Echo Show 8 (it’s super easy when you are in the kitchen and run out of an item), only I can provide that list. I’m sure more issues will come of this. Plus, it seems the Echo Show 8 can control Roku which the significant owns and controls for both televisions and I haven’t convinced making the changes needed to control Roku via Alexa.
It was either an Amazon Echo Show 5 or Google Home as a gift from the employer (not to be confused with Google’s product with a screen). This was all fulfilled through BestBuy. I knew for sure I wanted to upgrade from the Echo Show 5, as the screen of the Echo Show 5 would be difficult to view from a far distance. Though I didn’t want to press any ‘luck’ asking for another brand such as an Apple or Google product. Since I technically didn’t have a receipt, only an email that proved I had ordered this item through a third party.
Therefore I went to BestBuy and asked to pay extra for the Echo Show 8, I even produced an state issued ID freely, immediately when I approached the counter. After a few employees went back and forth expressing issues with this request, one employee was able to fulfill this request. In fact, I was able to exchange it for any item in the store if I paid for more than the MSRP. That wasn’t said, but the fact that I received a legitimate receipt from BestBuy proves that. Plus, it was confirmed to be purchased from BestBuy.
Part B.
However, I’ve ran into a couple of hurdles in the few days of owning the Amazon Echo Show 8. First, I have a slight habit of calling Alexa by Siri (hope both ladies aren’t offended). I also was in the office today watering the plants I have there and wanted to remind myself to water the plants I have at home. However, I didn’t care for the fact that I had to access the Alexa application to request this and that, Siri would not remind me of this (I have primary an Apple household) and I have different Apple devices that could aid this request when I wish to be reminded.
Though I admit that I have had more positive experiences with Alexa than negative. The experience with the Echo Show 5 is more personal to say the least. With the visual screen it offers news, suggestions, digital time; it’s hard to explain. I feel in very in synch with Alexa.
Therefore, with the short time I have had with the Amazon Echo Show 8. I’m starting to wonder if I should return it (if BestBuy allows, as I have everything expect the plastic that surrounds the device) for a different product. Should I return it for an Apple HomePod or Google Assistant? I’m beginning to realize that whichever home assistant I choose, it will be the foundation of the future home automation I will build. Meaning, whichever home assistant I choose. I will likely purchase 1 - 2 more throughout the home soon and upgrade as significant design changes come to the consumer market. Are there shortcuts, workarounds, etc. that will allow Alexa to integrate with Siri and Apple (meaning I ask Siri to remind me to water the plants at 8 PM and Siri shares that with Alexa)? Or should I continue with Alexa until Apple releases a home assistant product similar to the Echo Show or Google Hub (with screens)? Or do I sacrifice the experience I would receive with an Echo Show or Google Hub with an Apple HomePod for better functionality in the ecosystem?
These are the questions I have and I know only the wonderful members of MacRumors have the best answers. Any other Apple users in this situation?
Note: I wrote quite a novel (I apologize). Part A is the story and Part B is relative information. Though reading Part A may allow you to better assist.
Part A.
Approximately two months ago, I introduced home automation. I purchased a Philips - Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Starter Kit - Multicolor, 3 of those bulbs in the bed room and 1 of those bulbs in the common room. I also purchased 2 Philips - Hue Lightstrip Plus Dimmable LED Smart Light - Multicolor placed behind the common room television. I absolutely love it! If you’re reading this far, you know how convenient Philips Hue is.
Regardless, I plan to implement more Philips Hue throughout the home. Eventually all light fixtures, as well as including motion sensors, switches, plugs, etc. I know this is the more expensive brand (there’s many brands similar to Philips Hue), however I feel more comfortable paying a premium for an electronics company that has a reputation (after all, we are Apple consumers and appreciate reputation).
I plan to move in a home within the next year that I’ll be in for the next 20 years, approximately. Therefore, I also plan to invest into home automation in the form of home security, thermostat, garage door, light switches, blinds (If I truly go wild) etc.
For a 5 year anniversary gift from an employer, I was given the choice of approximately 25 items. I was leaning more towards an electric mop (sounds scary) or a gold plated lapel with the employer name and a few small diamonds on it (significant other said I’m lame if I had chosen that). Though I’m satisfied with our home wifi, the significant other feels differently (it’s AT&T’s middle of the road internet though I’d admit I need to investigate as it boils down to the internet wiring that is running to your home that limits the quality from what I understand). Therefore, the significant other usually disconnects from wifi once home. This creates an issue with controlling Philips Hue. Therefore, the significant other convinced me into choosing an Amazon Echo Show 5, which was one of the choices.
I will use a home assistant for all requests except for call, text and other personal services. I’m an honest individual, however I don’t want the significant other meddling in any personal communications (even in the reverse, I respect privacy) nor do I even feel comfortable relinquishing that ability, information, etc. to a home assistant but maybe I will become more trusting and comfortable in time. Nevertheless, Apple HomeKit only allows one user. Amazon Alexa requires each user to request Alexa to change profiles while Google can indefinitely the person by voice (if I understand correctly). I attempted to allow the significant other to create yet another account (significant other is already a household user of a relatives account) but does not wish to make changes as long as Alexa responds to basic requests and commands. Though significant other also is in charge of grocery shopping, so when an item is added to a shopping list via Amazon Echo Show 8 (it’s super easy when you are in the kitchen and run out of an item), only I can provide that list. I’m sure more issues will come of this. Plus, it seems the Echo Show 8 can control Roku which the significant owns and controls for both televisions and I haven’t convinced making the changes needed to control Roku via Alexa.
It was either an Amazon Echo Show 5 or Google Home as a gift from the employer (not to be confused with Google’s product with a screen). This was all fulfilled through BestBuy. I knew for sure I wanted to upgrade from the Echo Show 5, as the screen of the Echo Show 5 would be difficult to view from a far distance. Though I didn’t want to press any ‘luck’ asking for another brand such as an Apple or Google product. Since I technically didn’t have a receipt, only an email that proved I had ordered this item through a third party.
Therefore I went to BestBuy and asked to pay extra for the Echo Show 8, I even produced an state issued ID freely, immediately when I approached the counter. After a few employees went back and forth expressing issues with this request, one employee was able to fulfill this request. In fact, I was able to exchange it for any item in the store if I paid for more than the MSRP. That wasn’t said, but the fact that I received a legitimate receipt from BestBuy proves that. Plus, it was confirmed to be purchased from BestBuy.
Part B.
However, I’ve ran into a couple of hurdles in the few days of owning the Amazon Echo Show 8. First, I have a slight habit of calling Alexa by Siri (hope both ladies aren’t offended). I also was in the office today watering the plants I have there and wanted to remind myself to water the plants I have at home. However, I didn’t care for the fact that I had to access the Alexa application to request this and that, Siri would not remind me of this (I have primary an Apple household) and I have different Apple devices that could aid this request when I wish to be reminded.
Though I admit that I have had more positive experiences with Alexa than negative. The experience with the Echo Show 5 is more personal to say the least. With the visual screen it offers news, suggestions, digital time; it’s hard to explain. I feel in very in synch with Alexa.
Therefore, with the short time I have had with the Amazon Echo Show 8. I’m starting to wonder if I should return it (if BestBuy allows, as I have everything expect the plastic that surrounds the device) for a different product. Should I return it for an Apple HomePod or Google Assistant? I’m beginning to realize that whichever home assistant I choose, it will be the foundation of the future home automation I will build. Meaning, whichever home assistant I choose. I will likely purchase 1 - 2 more throughout the home soon and upgrade as significant design changes come to the consumer market. Are there shortcuts, workarounds, etc. that will allow Alexa to integrate with Siri and Apple (meaning I ask Siri to remind me to water the plants at 8 PM and Siri shares that with Alexa)? Or should I continue with Alexa until Apple releases a home assistant product similar to the Echo Show or Google Hub (with screens)? Or do I sacrifice the experience I would receive with an Echo Show or Google Hub with an Apple HomePod for better functionality in the ecosystem?
These are the questions I have and I know only the wonderful members of MacRumors have the best answers. Any other Apple users in this situation?
