Is the new HomePod better than Alexa?

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Who else has gone all-in on Siri at home? Thoughts?

[@andrewbonica]

I literally thought those were HomePod and HomePod mini at the beginning! LOL I've been all Alexa/Echo (I guess the older ones) for years, but been always considering going all Siri/Apple from HomePod to AppleTV 4k, as my computers and mobile devices are all Apple. Just didn't like when it was only the HomePod mini. Thanks for the review, I might switch them all out now. 🤘🥳

[@andrewbonica]

I'll add that I don't use "Hey Siri" on my iPhone or Mac, so I don't think having a HomePod would get confusing.

[@JoeSiegler]

3:25 - Excellent choice in tunes.

[@mikerisner]

Well, this episode just put the brakes on my thoughts to convert our home from Echo to HomePod. Perhaps Apple can perfect the multi-Siri home experience while working on the rumored HomePod-with-a-screen. I’d take a very close look at that product if it materializes. Thanks for another thoughtful video!

[@mechanicom]

With all the massive developments in AI recently I reckon there must be some Siri improvements round the corner!

[@urbanshepherd]

Maybe try a nest mini or display. The Google assistant seems to have progressed a lot more than Alexa recently and in turn even more so than Siri.

[@lesliegraham8478]

I have so much trouble with airplay. thinking of going with alexa going forward. I have an echo dot and she is always spot on.

[@louisefindlay23]

Can you use Siri Shortcuts to play the radio using a more intuitive name? I do something similar with Alexa but not sure if the app has to have explicit Siri Shortcut support.

[@gmotdot]

Used to be all in on Siri/HomePod (2 x Original HomePod, 1 x mini, Apple TV), when it came time to scale (1 x Echo Studio, 2 x Echo Show, 6 x Echo Dots, 2 x FireTV… kept the Apple TV too) I made the choice to move to Alexa. Price and Siri (lack of) performance were key decision makers… Apple everything else, but Alexa is our home assistant and not going back.

[@christianhotter]

I took Alexa out of my kids room when we got HomePods, but now I may be putting a Google with a screen in there if we get a good sale. Her room has three things that work with Alexa/Google, but not Siri. I could not find good fairy lights or a galaxy projector that worked with HomeKit. She also could benefit from a screen so we can get rid of the digital clock that looks cute, but is a pain to set the time on if it loses power.

[@JoeSiegler]

One thing that's preventing us from switching from Alexa to HomePod is the fact that you can whisper to Echo devices. We use that a TON late at night. We don't want the devices TELLING US WHAT TIME AND TEMPERATURE IT IS AT MAX BLAST VOLUME AT 2:48AM! It's a little thing, but it's a big deal to us.

[@kunchography3725]

Actually there is a feature that you can enable to make the HomePod listen to your speaking volume and respond at the same volume as you!

[@JoeSiegler]

@@kunchography3725 If that's the case, Apple needs that on *ALL* of its devices. Where is said feature?

[@kunchography3725]

⁠​⁠@@JoeSieglerit is on HomePod and HomePod mini and it is within the Home app. To access it go into your Home app, press on a speaker to open its menu. Press the settings button. Go to accessibility and turn on “Automatically Adjust Siri Volume” and it will try to speak at the same level as you.

[@kieran9882]

I’ve noticed there’s this other Apple tech youtuber who isn’t as good as you, but he got to 500k subs in a year or two and i think you deserve that many subs too. He got his subs by always doing giveaway’s of prizes where you have to sub and comment to enter

[@MarkEllisReviews]

That's very kind of you, Kieran. We all approach this business differently, but for me, giveaways is a quick way to a non-committed audience. In my personal opinion, of course!

[@kieran9882]

@@MarkEllisReviews Yea I didn’t want to disrespect anyone for how they do things but at the same time it kind of annoys me lol

[@marywow9659]

Do some of these people not know how to use these? Well all they do is TALK never show you or let you listen to..

[@Chrissssssssssssssssssss]

She needs to go in to her siri settings and train her voice so her phone recognises Hey Siri then the Hompod will do it

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Pretty sure we've done this, Chris, but I'll take another look. Thanks! Seems a bit long-winded, mind...

[@Chrissssssssssssssssssss]

@@MarkEllisReviews Are you family sharing? She can go to Siri, & search on settings and set "my information" Home app - Homepod settings - Homepod personal requests on? If still happening homepods may need to be reset. - Would recommend speak to Apple support just incase they are super good!

[@christianhotter]

That worked for me. I was also able to add a kid with a child account by having her set up her voice profile on her tablet. It seemed easy at the time, but right now I'm not able to find where I set up my voice profile. I'm afraid to turn off personal requests to see if it makes me reset my voice if I turn it back on. 😄. It does say in the Home app under my people profile that personalized requests are available when my phone is at home. That means there are iCloud, FindMy, and Siri settings involved somehow. Another idea, it also could only be a US feature for HomePod/HomeKit.I don't know how the regional settings work.

[@JoeSiegler]

2:37 - Any of your neighbors ever throw a fit about having their back yards in your videos in drone footage? I know a few of mine would do that if I did the same thing.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

They don’t. But, equally, no laws are broken, so it’s a moot point, mate.

[@JoeSiegler]

@@MarkEllisReviews Oh, I'm not saying there were, but I know my neighbors. They'd throw a wobbler over it. :)

[@boblydecker]

Mark, I have two original Home Pod’s set up in a stereo pair. No distortion even at a way-to-loud level. Great, tight bass as well.

[@rawmotionfitness]

Siri is an embarrassment. Never use it. The old home pod rocks my studio every day... Not convinced the new one is worth it...

[@AudioBoris]

A couple of points: I have a 1st gen HomePod and I don’t get any distortion. In fact, that’s one of the main points most reviewers seem to notice with the HomePod. They can blast it and it never sounds like it’s red lining. Also, I don’t know of any other smart speaker that has the super hearing like that of a HomePod. Seriously. I can be down the hall and in the kitchen and speak normally and the HomePod will STILL hear me! How does this wizardry happen?? But yes, I agree about the Siri being confused about timers and AirPods etc. That could use some more integration. Then again personally, I mostly just ask Siri about the weather and read me the news these days.

[@geoffclarke8434]

I had Alexa in the kitchen, living room and main bedroom but she suddenly stopped working. Now have gone all-in with Apple; two HomePod mini’s in the living room, linked to Apple TV (new one) and one in the kitchen. Sound is good, for the size, and looking to expand mini’s to bedrooms and study.

[@lancedomhoff1126]

Alexa sucks. Totally replaced my 2 eco shows, dot and OG with HomePods and omg what a difference. Siri is so much better than Alexa. Get HomePods and make your life easier and simpler.

[@johnboychak5063]

Very interesting video. Since I don’t own and Echo devices or Home Pods and I never use Siri on my iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch then I have not listened to any responses from (lips moving but no sound coming out) Alexa or Siri. However, listening to The Division Bell, now that is a pleasure. 🎶🎶🎶

[@mj7195]

I have the original Home Pod and a couple of Mini Pods around the house, and I would get a load more but I can not get them to play a couple of songs in a row, they will play 1.5 songs and then just stop, then I try to connect my iPhone again and it thinks it's playing a song from my wife play list, it is so annoying, Apple have got to get this sorted as they must be missing out on big ££££££'s and Siri is a joke.

[@richarddcrossley]

Try moving the big HomePod away from the wall but away from little hands if that’s a baby gate. I own 6 of the originals and it makes a massive difference despite the marketing of put it anywhere. Have you both got home app and your own profiles? Might be worth both retraining Siri.

[@6806goats1]

I use a pair of 1st gen HomePods as my speakers for Apple TV. One on my night stand, the other one on a smaller refer, both next to my bed. I use an older LG UST projector instead of a tv. The HomePods project sound like it’s coming from the image projected on the wall. Very happy with my setup but I also have the HomePod speakers 6” or better away from the wall (at times that is, I notice this morning that I’m hearing them for their positions in the room. They still sound good but not surround sound depending on the audio signal). I find that getting them away from the wall a bit really helps.

[@gordonbarnes]

Siri is lacking in the AI department, dare I say that Samsung's Bixby is better 😂 I don't trust Amazon so have always been a google assistant advocate.

[@Y-J65]

HomePod sounds better than the studio. I’ve got both, the studio gets distorted with anything that has bass, changing the settings in the Alexa app doesn’t help. Amazon sent me a replacement and it’s still like that.

[@Bruceneuman]

I have been trying to use Siri since prior to Apple acquiring it. It has never worked well. By this time it is an embarrassment.

[@simonkidd547]

Just started replacing my echos with HomePods and moving my smart stuff to HomeKit. So far so good, but only started in the study. I have a pair of HomePod minis on my desk and the sound is pretty good for the room space. I only have 2 items that don’t work with HomeKit, a smart plug (cherish to replace) and my ring doorbell. The ring doorbell will be a difficult one for me to get expenditure approved from the mrs to replace

[@kurtevensson1452]

After watching this video i think ill stick with my sonos one gen2 with google assistant and perhaps add a second one as a stereo pair

[@throwbackzZ]

Alexa play music everywhere...... your welcome!!

[@mclogan76]

I got 2 echo studio’s for the price of 1 home pod 😂

[@mattboyce6253]

That is so true. egg timer 😂

[@TheJimmyboy38]

As a owner of the HomePod I am curious as to what distortion you are getting I have mine on normal settings play a lot of Hip Hop sub bass stuff and dance music and the sub woofer handles it well and not had any distortion even at close to max levels am I missing something ?

[@MarkEllisReviews]

I need more listening time, but the kick drum on certain tracks (typically electronic stuff) can feel a bit flabby.

[@beardofzeus9665]

Another great and informative video. I’ve got two HomePod minis and I’d love if you could add a 2023 HomePod as a sub when watching my Apple TV 4K

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Thanks!

[@rolfski1975]

Buy a second HomePod 2023 and put it in stereo pair. It will improve sound incredibly. 3 times better.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Someone didn’t watch through to the end of the video 😉

[@robsawalker]

Apple should buy Sonos as they are clearly way behind in the home audio department, and it is really vital for future connected homes. Siri is dreadful, you are totally right. Mind you Alexa isn't vastly better

[@aurelian1]

Apple's sound is great, it's the assistant that needs work... although I do like that Siri won't pepper you with product pitches and "please review your last order" messages.

[@arthurised]

@Robsa Walker. Fine idea in theory, bad idea in practise. I agree that Sonos devices are way better than the competitors. I have a mixture of Sonos, Apple and Echo in my house. However, if swallowed up by Apple, Sonos would become another ‘fallen hero” in Apple’s ecosystem: lost forever, and with it the advancement of quality sound in this space😢😂

[@andrewdhome]

Hilarious that you’ve accurately defined the only 3 questions anyone ever asks these assistants! If you aren’t too impressed with the sound of the homepod, you should try the old one - which is noticeably better. The stereo pair is better. Or just go Sonos. Not tried the era yet, but the play 5 and the arc are superb. Expensive but superb

[@MarkEllisReviews]

I genuinely don't think anyone uses home assistants for anything else.