Why does HomeKit still suck so bad?

[tromboneaholic]

So i doubt someone that has invested that much money in lets say Alexa products and accessories is going to replace everything with SIRI compatible stuff.

Amazon is practically giving Alexa devices away. This s because no one bought Amazon's smartphones, so they spun off Alexa into it's own product in the hopes people would use it to buy things from Amazon (they aren't).

Apple already has Siri on more devices than Amazon has Alexa on. iPhones, AirPods, Watches, and iPads all have "Hey Siri" and can control HomeKit devices.

Alexa isn't competing against HomePod, it's competing against Apple's entire product line.

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

Amazon is practically giving Alexa devices away. This s because no one bought Amazon's smartphones, so they spun off Alexa into it's own product in the hopes people would use it to buy things from Amazon (they aren't).

Apple already has Siri on more devices than Amazon has Alexa on. iPhones, AirPods, Watches, and iPads all have "Hey Siri" and can control HomeKit devices.

Alexa isn't competing against HomePod, it's competing against Apple's entire product line.

Yes but here is my point. If I buy a bunch of Amazon speakers at a heavily discounted price. And let’s say I buy bunch of home automated devices that are Alexa compatible. And not Apple/Siri compatibile. I’m not going to one day spend more money switching all my home automation out for Apple/Siri stuff. My point is once Apple gets really serious about competing with Google and Amazon with this home automation stuff. They will be way behind those two companies. And it’s hard to convince ppl to reinvest their money just to say hey Siri in your house for everything. Instead of hey google or Alexa.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Yes but here is my point. If I buy a bunch of Amazon speakers at a heavily discounted price. And let’s say I buy bunch of home automated devices that are Alexa compatible. And not Apple/Siri compatibile. I’m not going to one day spend more money switching all my home automation out for Apple/Siri stuff. My point is once Apple gets really serious about competing with Google and Amazon with this home automation stuff. They will be way behind those two companies. And it’s hard to convince ppl to reinvest their money just to say hey Siri in your house for everything. Instead of hey google or Alexa.

It seems like Apple just needs to continue working with smart device manufacturers so they keep adding HomeKit compatibility. By the time smart home devices go mainstream, there will hopefully be more parity.

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

It seems like Apple just needs to continue working with smart device manufacturers so they keep adding HomeKit compatibility. By the time smart home devices go mainstream, there will hopefully be more parity.

Hopefully. Cause as of now. They have fallen behind. But hopefully you are right.

 

[Jmacc]

Why does HomeKit still suck so bad?

It’s 2019! “Why does Apple HomeKit still suck so bad?”
One colored lightbulb costing 45bucks has taught me that HomeKit is still an in house demo. Top three large company on Earth releases head scratching offal.

 

[Tallaron]

It’s 2019! “Why does Apple HomeKit still suck so bad?”
One colored lightbulb costing 45bucks has taught me that HomeKit is still an in house demo. Top three large company on Earth releases head scratching offal.

 

[OTACORB]

I purchased some iHome Plugs from Sam's club... 8 of them to be exact. Alexa couldn't find them on my network half the freaking time. I would have to unplug them and then plug them back in and after a few minutes it would work. I have NEVER and I repeat NEVER had this issue with HomeKit and Siri. Not one single damn time. Also these iHome plugs were dirt cheap, but amazingly HomeKit and Siri seem to have no issues with them. I've been able automate them into a scene, not to mention set times for them to come on and go off. I can also turn them on and off while I am away from home. Alexa would always... say she couldn't find them. Needless to say I found the Echo Dot's to be pretty crappy in comparison to my HomePod, but that's like comparing Volkswagen to a Cadillac anyway. Siri does what I need and so having Alexa able do more mean NOTHING to me when it can't even find a basic plug.

There is no doubt there are more items that are compatible with Alexa or Google, but my plugs, lights and thermostat all work just fine with HomeKit and Siri. Even my dog kennel lights are automated along with the heat.

 

[tromboneaholic]

I purchased some iHome Plugs from Sam's club... 8 of them to be exact. Alexa couldn't find them on my network half the freaking time. I would have to unplug them and then plug them back in and after a few minutes it would work. I have NEVER and I repeat NEVER had this issue with HomeKit and Siri. Not one single damn time. Also these iHome plugs were dirt cheap, but amazingly HomeKit and Siri seem to have no issues with them. I've been able automate them into a scene, not to mention set times for them to come on and go off. I can also turn them on and off while I am away from home. Alexa would always... say she couldn't find them. Needless to say I found the Echo Dot's to be pretty crappy in comparison to my HomePod, but that's like comparing Volkswagen to a Cadillac anyway. Siri does what I need and so having Alexa able do more mean NOTHING to me when it can't even find a basic plug.

There is no doubt there are more items that are compatible with Alexa or Google, but my plugs, lights and thermostat all work just fine with HomeKit and Siri. Even my dog kennel lights are automated along with the heat.

Siri works great for us to set our nighttime scene and we use automation to have the house ready when we get up.

 

[cynics]

It’s 2019! “Why does Apple HomeKit still suck so bad?”
One colored lightbulb costing 45bucks has taught me that HomeKit is still an in house demo. Top three large company on Earth releases head scratching offal.

Small price to pay IMO.

Assuming you are referencing Philips or Lifx, many people still buy them for Alexa and Google. But even if I used some hodgepodge home automation setup I made myself I would still be using those bulbs just to avoid putting a non trusted wifi device (aka computer) on my secure home network that we've already learn time and time again can not be trusted.

Besides these smart devices (luxuries) what is the point of buying junk? If you are getting a smart thermostat you would still want something nice on your wall would you not?

Furthermore when it comes to other more discreet devices if you go cheap you risk catastrophe. Like using a 120v/240v non UL listed smart switch from Ebay that came straight from China with zero QC.

Trust me I get it but when I was using Alexa I ended up spending more on nicer things anyway OR I ended up buying it twice because the product was junk.