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HomePod Mini

apple.com

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Re: HomePod Mini

#11

Post by AceJohnny2 »

llampx wrote: post #8

Can anyone with a Homepod comment on the usability compared to the Google and Amazon spy systems... err speakers?

I haven't used Alexa, but Siri on HomePod is way behind Google Assistant in capabilities and recognition reliability. I use it moderately for setting timers, reminders, shopping list, controlling my HomeKit lights, and getting weather.

I'd judge it to be 80% reliable in picking up commands (but the way human memory works, it's likely much higher than that but the times it fails are more memorable)

But HomePod is a phenomenal speaker.

Re: HomePod Mini

#12

Post by cloudengineer »

llampx wrote: post #8

Can anyone with a Homepod comment on the usability compared to the Google and Amazon spy systems... err speakers?

I use it for home automation using hoobs, and as a primary speaker. They are the best sounding of all, and in stereo mode, they sound even better.

Re: HomePod Mini

#13

Post by ChrisLTD »

athenot wrote: post #7

HomePod mini works with your iPhone for requests like hearing your messages or notes, so they are completed on device without revealing that information to Apple. This is the big differentiating feature, along with the seamless integration within the rest of Apple's product line. EDIT: HomePod does this too but it was not at a price point nor size that competed with other assistants.

Maybe that’s why my HomePod feels so slow?

Re: HomePod Mini

#14

Post by josteink »

Sounds okish and very nicely priced.

Too bad it seemingly relies so much on Siri. I haven’t been able to make Siri play me any music what so ever, despite multiple attempts. Once I’ve started playing, I can’t even make Siri skip tracks forward or backwards. Absolutely worthless.

Caveat: not using Apple Music.

Re: HomePod Mini

#15

Post by iwasakabukiman »

llampx wrote: post #8

Can anyone with a Homepod comment on the usability compared to the Google and Amazon spy systems... err speakers?

The sound quality is way beyond anything Google or Amazon offer.

If you have other Apple devices, it works just like Siri on your phone. I've got one in my kitchen and it can hear me anywhere in my 3 bedroom house. It's pretty impressive from an audio recognition standpoint.

Amazon and Google both have much better home assistants built in.

Re: HomePod Mini

#16

Post by section_me »

noodlesUK wrote: post #6

One of the interesting things is that on the specs page it says it supports “Thread”, which is a new wireless protocol championed for home automation tech, as an alternative to zig bee and Zwave. One thing I didn’t see was any mention of if it would support being a “Home Hub”, allowing for remote access to smart home stuff.

Thread is not exactly new, July 2014[0], and it uses the same base standard as ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4), just using 6LoWPAN which is a low power personal aera network using IPv6.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_(network_protocol)

Re: HomePod Mini

#18

Post by AceJohnny2 »

AceJohnny2 wrote: post #11
llampx wrote: post #8

Can anyone with a Homepod comment on the usability compared to the Google and Amazon spy systems... err speakers?

I haven't used Alexa, but Siri on HomePod is way behind Google Assistant in capabilities and recognition reliability. I use it moderately for setting timers, reminders, shopping list, controlling my HomeKit lights, and getting weather. I'd judge it to be 80% reliable in picking up commands (but the way human memory works, it's likely much higher than that but the times it fails are more memorable) But HomePod is a ph…

I just tried to tell it to play music, but my closer iPhone picked up the order instead -_-;

Re: HomePod Mini

#19

Post by eschneider »

llampx wrote: post #8

Can anyone with a Homepod comment on the usability compared to the Google and Amazon spy systems... err speakers?

I have a homepod that I use exclusively for playing musing and it's quite good at that. It's definition of what's "disco" and isn't doesn't quite match mine, but...close enough.

Re: HomePod Mini

#20

Post by ndrake »

noodlesUK wrote: post #6

One of the interesting things is that on the specs page it says it supports “Thread”, which is a new wireless protocol championed for home automation tech, as an alternative to zig bee and Zwave. One thing I didn’t see was any mention of if it would support being a “Home Hub”, allowing for remote access to smart home stuff.

The footnote on that item is a bit disappointing:

"Not compatible with non-HomeKit Thread devices."

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