WHY Use Both Echos and HomePods!

[@BigMu2003]

I’ve made the jump to just HomePods and I’m not looking back. Amazon has just made too many changes I don’t like and the HomePods have gotten better. I also like the Hone app so much better than the Alexa app.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I am with you on all accounts. The home app is so much better now. Thanks for watching.

[@darrenhamilton8438]

Definitely want an Apple smart display! That echo displays are the only thing keeping me in the echo ecosystem.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I wish Apple would hurry up. Thanks for watching.

[@michaelrozleja4818]

I currently have Amazon, Apple and Google. All three have a place and not as confusing as you may think. Having all three happened quite organically and I’m at peace with them all. I started with a HomePod mini, then one Echo pop led to 4 and followed by 3 Echo dots. I also have two Amazon Fire TV’s and find the dots and pops set up in Home Theatre mode with the Fire TV is an incredible experience. Like you, I use my Apple set up more for automations now and my Echo devices for music as they’re right through my house. I recently bought a Google Chromecast primarily for the Foxtel Go app, which I can’t access via Apple TV or Amazon. So I bought two Nest mini’s to connect to the Chromecast. I have found the Chromecast and Nest mini’s to be the lesser of the three including the Google Home app. The connectivity with Google (via Bluetooth) is quite substandard compared to both Apple and Amazon. Apologies for the “short novel” I’ve written, I found your video and take on the ecosystems quite interesting and wanted to share mine.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I appreciate you sharing your take and how each of the devices have their use. That makes a lot of sense to me and good for others to read. They don't have to just pick one. Thanks for watching.

[@nigelstockley7011]

Another great video thanks Craig. Moved to HomePods a few years back and haven't looked back. I still have some echos around the house but ONLY for as long as it takes for everything to become Matter compatible or when im forced to change hardware. I have a ring alarm and cameras and am patiently waiting for Matter compatibility but am getting bored waiting. Ring is frankly... a pain in the...ring. The alarm is great and I have Alexa routines that arm/disarm etc which I cannot replicate on Apple Home yet and so they stay. Im not quite as desperate for Apple to add a screen to the HomePod but I suspect that if and when they do it will be something a little more clever than competitors have managed such as an iPad mini dock which changes the iPad into the screen whilst it charges etc.. Screens are nice but the big difference I find is that using the Home app - I already carry a screen around with me in the iPhone which has a very user friendly app - but also the Apple Watch which is arguably even more convenient than the phone and much easier to see than a screen that is half way across the room planted on a speaker. Time will tell if Apple decide to do it. Also, I have slowly begun to given up on promised matter compatibility for other devices. I gave myself a deadline of end 2023 for Google Nest to update their Nest Learning Thermostat as they had long since updated the cheaper model but were dragging their heels with no public updates. So... January 2024 I replaced the Nest Thermostat with a Hive one (UK based option) and haven't looked back. I particularly wanted my heating on Home/Siri and now I have that..... just waiting for Ring. I suspect that Ring will eventually fall into line once Cameras have been integrated into the Matter standard (which I hope is soon) and then Apple updates Home to accommodate the new matter standard.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hello Nigel, sorry for the late response. Glad to hear you are liking your HomePods. I am with you on Ring. I fear that Amazon will keep their walls up and not go Matter with Ring devices. They should have jumped on it already. You have a good point about the multiple screens and the Home app. You are right too about Apple doing something more clever. I can see a dock to use iPads. But they will have to be new iPads that have a special connector. Knowing Apple it would be a great experience. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for watching.

[@williammartinez8381]

Hey Craig, in my home we use all 3 home assistance but my main smart home of choice is apple home. Their integration. In controlling my smart home is better than Alexa and Google, and that is because everyone in my home are apple users. The only thing that I would love to see is apple come out with a smart display and A.I. and see how that would integrate into their smart home. That would really set them apart from the other smart assistance.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hello William, I am sorry I am behind in responding. I like that you have all 3 going on. Apple Home is so much better than a lot of people give it credit for. If Apple nails AI and a great smart display, Amazon and Google will be in trouble.

[@JayDeafL]

I’m glad to have both. Lately, Amazon Alexa Skill for Phillips Hue isn’t working. So I’m using Siri to voice command the lights right now. I like the Homekit Control via my iPhone.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I am sorry to hear the Alexa skill isn't working. The Home App across all the Apple devices is so nice. Thanks for watching.

[@annewatman677]

This is so helpful. My husband and I have several Echos, and a Smart Display. I honestly find the integration/assistant stuff to be awkward. And, you’re right about all the ads. We’ve been wanting to try the small HomePod. We got into Echo, probably because of the price. We also have a Bose speaker that drives us nuts. When it works, it’s great, but it’s inconsistent. And, setting it up is a nightmare.

[@TomHappyapril]

Just put a bunch of Alexa’s up on eBay to replace them with HomePods. My main to reasons is the increasing adds from Amazon in my home and when I tried both systems some smart devices where getting confused so I’m going full Apple but will miss a screen with a timer in the kitchen..

[@CraigsTechTalk]

It is so disappointing that Amazon has chosen the Ad route. Hopefully Apple will get a smart display out to replace the echo shows. It is the missing piece. Thanks for watching.

[@marksullenger9408]

Agree 100%! I dumped ALL of my Alexa Show devices (3) because of all the ads! I would look for the time, and the display was another ad. SUCKS!

[@CraigsTechTalk]

It is sad that they have all these ads and suggestions. I guess they make enough money to make it worth losing customers.

[@Rumii.i]

Saying Siri is dumb while there’s 2 Siris sitting next to you is actually kinda savage💀

[@philnicholls4954]

Google Nest devices work well for me. Simple for radio and music streaming and routines for lights and switches.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Glad to hear that Google had worked well. I like the Nest Hub interface so much better than Echo shows.

[@cmacmenow]

Homepods. Love em. So do all my family and friends. Cool product.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Nice, glad to hear everyone is loving them.

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Craig.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I am way late. Thank you Ron.

[@GeordieBoy700]

I would love an apple smart display.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

It would be nice to have.

[@CodeXana]

I also use both! Mainly because I have some devices that work strictly with HomeKit and some strictly with Alexa. Annoying, but necessary at this point.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I feel you on the annoying but necessary. Hopefully that will change as Matter expands.

[@nickpanzeca7640]

Great video Craig! Very thoughtful and alot of information.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I appreciate you Nick. I hope you are doing well.

[@canyonblue737-8]

I'm all Apple, and I too have a mix. That said the big advantage for Amazon is the low cost of the Echos and the variety of form factors and screens. The two sizes of HomePod are just too limiting, and too expensive to spread throughout the home to allow for uniform home automation coverage. With 14 models of Echos around the house no matter where my family is they can in a normal voice say "Alexa" and immediately be controlling out extensive set of home automations (all lights etc.) My HomePods are mainly for better sound quality and so work with Apple apps, but really I'm the only one who uses it because its confusing for my wife and teens to remember to switch between the different wake words. Hopefully Apple expands the variety of HomePods they offer and find a way to integrate the coming generative AI version of Siri and that may make me reconsider when I setup a future home when I move in a few years.

[@rskeetc]

I use both. I had Ring cameras and Echo Dots early on and received a 10” Echo Show as a Christmas gift one year 🤷🏾‍♂️. I use Echos to announce motion on my Ring Cameras and Aqara sensors. I use HomeKit for lights and automations

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I like that you have both going on. My wife uses announcements on the Echos all the time and I have the Ring cameras with the Echos. Thanks for sharing and watching.

[@allkindsamusicchick]

Hello. Please help. My 1st Generation Alexa fell off my nightstand and broke apart. Not a problem for me, I've already replaced her with an Alexa Dot. I want to throw the 1st Generation in the communal trash area, but want to make sure that the memory is obliterated. Please help. Should I smash the device with a hammer? Is there a card inside that I can destroy instead???

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I would have no idea what is stored on device. But it wouldn’t be much. I personally would not worry about the echo. All the important stuff you dont want out is living on Amazons servers.

[@allkindsamusicchick]

@@CraigsTechTalk I hear you. Even still...I'm going to research just a little bit more...before I toss.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

@allkindsamusicchick I can appreciate more research. Let us know if you find out a definite answer.

[@SparklyJade]

Love your video! I understand what you mean with how the use of those devices has changed for you and your family. I’ve been using Echo Dots and Echos for about 5 years now. Now I use them for the weather forecast, narration of my Kindle books, timers, reminders. I seldom use them with my Hue lights since I bought the Hue remotes. I am considering purchasing the Apple HomePod for better sound quality for media and to watch tv with the Apple TV.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you very much. It is disappointing that like you I am barely using my echos now. For media the HomePods are great. I like that I can take my Audible books and use hand off to pass the audio to my HomePod. A great place to start is a HomePod mini. Especially if you catch them on sale at Sam's club or Costco.

[@jacobramey288]

Hardest part of switching to HomePods for me is what to do with all of the old Alexa devices

[@Glitchh101]

I use both of them as well! I have all apple products even the Apple TV, but I love Alexa’s compatibility with more gadgets especially Ring!

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is great you are using both. That wider compatibility is still keeping Alexa going. Like you I am using Ring.

[@marcdupuis4679]

An Apple display is a must as far as I’m concerned. Can’t wait for Apple to come announce it. Just keep hoping.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I am with you. Each time I see rumors pushing the timeframe back I get disappointed.

[@lisasavage6527]

Hey Craig

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hello Lisa. Thank you for watching.

[@lisasavage6527]

Are you welcome Craig

[@Leweise]

I use Google Nest Hubs & HomePods

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I like that you have the HomePods and Google Nest. That gives you both ends of the spectrum.

[@louiswilliams4657]

Apple fan so I got a HomePod to listen to music, now I need to find out all the things it can do !

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Here is my 10 everyday uses for the HomePod and 35 tips for the HomePod. I hope they help. Thank you for watching. Top 10 Everyday Uses for the HomePod and Siri! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zIl6N_pbidiKs 35 HomePod Tips You Need to Know! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKPNo5h7n6qfZ9k

[@FrankTerranova1]

My problem is the scarity and expense of lightning that works with Apple Home.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I can appreciate what you are saying. The good thing is Matter is starting to help with that. Thanks for watching.

[@garethjones5068]

I really have been impressed with Apple Home as the brains of my smart home

[@evamuhlhause]

To be honest, I put in echos a few years ago and now that home pods have upped their game the price still puts me off, just hte price of the home pods themselves. If money were no option, I'd give an apple home a try at this point.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I can appreciate what you are saying about the price. The full size HomePods are hard to justify if you are listening to them regularly. Thanks for watching.

[@evamuhlhause]

@@CraigsTechTalk It's nice to see that they are a real contender in the market now. If I had the money I would absolutely give them a try, apple does produce quality.

[@thomastevis8655]

I’m slowly switching to home pods

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Nice, I hope the switch is going well. Thanks for watching.

[@Realmoflo2]

I recently switched from google to Alexa cause Alexa does much more and faster. Ads are annoying and I don’t mind voice activating cause I can direct Alexa as I’m moving around rather than standing still pushing buttons or having my phone in my hands directing stuff.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is cool you made the switch. I also felt the Echos brought more features and compatibility. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@mwguzman]

I still run both but am down to a single Echo. I got sick of the Alexa ads and Amazon has made some troubling decisions on disabling accounts. I use Apple for everything else, especially home automation, except for one Echo down in my home office. I use it for work related queries Siri is too dumb to answer reliably and for Amazon shopping delivery announcements. I still use Amazon eero Pro 6E mesh devices for WLAN but when Apple starts releasing WiFi 7 devices, I’ll start using a different brand for WiFi 7.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I can appreciate what you are saying. If Siri were smarter and Apple had a smart display, Amazon would be in trouble.

[@ainschuntayleuhn1147]

I’m with Echo simply because of Affordability.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I can appreciate that. The HomePods are painful to buy. I hope you are well.

[@Dr_Cole]

I continue to love your videos. Straightforward and yet you will present novel content. Perfect! I directed Amazon for Apple when I had too many real experiences of Alexa listening in and creating ads based on conversations. It was the day after both of my kids commented on this happening that I was done and ripped out 8 of these (about 2.5 years ago). I am very displeased with Siri… like everyone. I am eager for the next major iOS which is supposed to be steeped in AI and centered on Siri.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you very much Dr. Cole. My apologies for the delayed response. I hope you are doing well. Thank you for sharing your experience. That is scary to have that happen multiple times. That is funny you are displeased with Siri. I think that sums up a lot of peoples feelings. Hopefully the next iOS gives us the Siri we have been wanting. Thanks for watching.

[@aaronharvey6406]

Yes, I would love to see an Apple smarthome display device. I’m running both team Apple and Echo at my house. Like you said some thing works best on Apple and others on Echos. By the way, good video. Thanks.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you very much. Glad to hear you are taking advantage of both. I can picture a great smart display from Apple. They need to stop messing around and give the people what they want.

[@joshuakolton9955]

HomePods are so much better but how we don't have a comparable product to the echo shows is mind boggling. A comparable product to the flex would also be nice too for a bathroom wall clock. Edit: I mean just the handoff feature makes the HomePod worth it.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

It is crazy Apple has not jumped on the Smart Display yet. Handoff is the best.

[@choppergirl]

I prefer the 3rd generation hockey pucks Everything after them kind of went down hill.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Nice, it has been a while since I have seen mine with everything shaped like a ball.

[@choppergirl]

@@CraigsTechTalkI bought two balls by mistake while I was blind... didn't know they existed... they looked like regular ones from the flat 2d computer screen picture. The problem with the 4th generation ball Alexas is, if you bump them, they roll right off the desk... or shelf... or where ever. Why oh why lol. No real world testing! The plus side on the 4th gen was they supported not just 2.4ghz but also 5ghz wireless connecting... and had a security guard mode you could put them in so that when you were away, they would emit an ultrasonic inaudible noise and listen for disturbances or reflections of it... and alert you motion was detected in your home. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was looking for that feature the other day and I think it has been removed? I was not able to find it any more in the app... maybe I was looking in the wrong place, I should check again... How do I activate Alexa Guard? Open your Alexa app. Go to Settings. Scroll down and select Guard. Select Set up Guard at the bottom of the screen. Use the guided navigation to select the smart alerts you want (smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds, glass breaking, away lighting).

[@nicolapetrovic8427]

i have alexa and homepods. but man homepods SUCKS when it comes down to control your smart home. they take 12 years to turn on/off a light, a smart plug. also now you cant even set up the philips hue bridge. i wonder if they will ever solve this problem, whoever side it is, philips or apple.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I am sorry to hear it has been that bad for you. That is odd about the hue bridge. I have the 2nd gen hub bridge and have been using it with my HomePods for years. I recently added lights and they showed up in the Home App. That is a bummer yours isn't working.

[@movingloz]

Amen. Cmon Apple. Bring on the smart display.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Please, I am with you. Thanks for watching.

[@rjhurst]

I have iPhones and iPads but no HomePod. Apple’s Siri is dumb. Amazon Echo speakers don’t sound great. The solution for me is SONOS for the best of both worlds. I’ve added Alexa to all of my Sonos speakers. (You could instead add the Google voice assistant). Sonos also has its native voice assistant.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I like the Sonos solution. Everyone who has them loves them. Thanks for sharing this.

[@aw7425]

You’ve read my mind….same issue here

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That's funny. You are not alone living both worlds

[@ROG956]

How does the echo studio compare to the HomePod?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

The Echo studio sounds really good. Maybe better than the HomePod. But it is going to depend what you play on it. The Echo Studio could be good if you are streaming Amazon content or another streaming service that supports higher quality audio. If you are an Apple user the HomePod makes sense to take advantage of Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio. Those make the HomePod sound better for me. But streaming from the same services with normal audio, the Echo Studio is a little better.

[@JunkionMarnot2005]

Great video Craig. You know I’m on Team Apple, and am slowly getting on board the smart home train. Have a HomePod Mini for the past 3 years and just got Nanoleaf bulbs around Christmas. Love the control and integration with Siri. Now just waiting for Siri AI….

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you very much. Sorry for the late response. Glad to hare you are starting your smart home journey. I love the Nanoleaf bulbs. They have great white light. With AI we might get the Siri we have dreamed of. One that always understands us and knows what to do. Thanks for watching.

[@BurakTurgut07]

Why not Google Home?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I realize I have only so much time and interest. I didn't want to do mediocre Google coverage. As an Apple user Echos had the most compatibility with Apple services. I thing Google assistant is smarter and their smart displays are better.

[@garethjones5068]

The Apple Home app is by far & away the best & most intuitive home control app of any of the smart assistant led ecosystems

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hey Gareth, I am sorry for the late response. I hope you are doing well. You are so right about the Apple Home app. I love that you are a full on Apple guy now. There is no going back.

[@garethjones5068]

@@CraigsTechTalk You helped drag me to the darkside

[@Realmoflo2]

The bigger apple gets they will have a paywall also. Apple Music and tv were reasonably priced before and now they charge what others charge even a little bit more.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

It is out of control with all these services. Everybody has kicked up prices. I do the Apple one with all the different things combined. It is still the best deal for everything, but has risen about $8 over the last 3 years. it's annoying. Thanks for watching.

[@Good-and-Geeky]

Siri is a bit useless when you have questions. You get an answer from Alexa when Siri tells you to ask again on your iPhone.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I agree 100% with you. Questions is one of the few uses left for the Echos for my family.

[@aaronletchford]

It's getting better, it's not perfect, sometimes she can't turn the lights on 😂

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Sometimes better is all we can hope for. 😀

[@UltimateBrownie]

Apple products are amazing, but the price point on every product is absurd

[@CraigsTechTalk]

The prices are brutal. But like you said, they are amazing.

[@paulnhbtx713]

Man I bought Aqara on your other videos showcasing them and they sucked so bad. Had to reset them so many times. Sold them all as a bundle on eBay at a loss. Don’t use Aqara. Cheap crap.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Sorry to hear that was your experience. I am still using all the same stuff I talked about. If it all sucked for you, I would think it was more of a hub problem. As opposed to the individual devices. If all goes offline with Aqara, it tends to go back to the hub. Again, sorry to hear you had a bad experience. That is disappointing to hear. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@paulnhbtx713]

@@CraigsTechTalk the weird part is the two cameras are solid. They work great. But all the sensors. Man, they kept resetting and it was such a paint setting them up with my lights. I had sensors set up to turn on when motion was detected. So lights in my kitchen and hallway would turn on and stay on for 3 mins then turn off when they worked. They worked great but after two to three times of losing all the routines. I gave up. Camera still work.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I am sorry to hear that. Did you have Aqara hubs. The one thing that I don't recommend is pairing devices to the cameras. If you ever need to reset or change the Wifi of the camera, it dumps the devices paired with it. I recommend the stand alone hub. Again, sorry to hear that they have been so bad. Glad the cameras are solid for you.

[@jpileggi1]

I can’t get around the fact that Amazon and Google speakers collect every spoken word and sound in your home and then process that data on their servers. Regardless of any of your use case justifications, I will never put Echo devices in my home. You are just giving away any concept of privacy with the Echo or Google smart home speakers.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I can appreciate what you are saying. Data is king for both Amazon and Google. Amazon sells services and expensive devices. Thanks for watching.

[@Max86421]

I prefer Google ecosystem 💯

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Nice, I do like the Nest Hub interface much better than Echo Shows.

[@bradkrekelberg8624]

Yeah, the new ads do p*** me off. For what Bezos gets paid, they could renegotiate that and take care of ALL of Amazon's problems and then some.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

It is obnoxious how bad the ads are now. I am ready to get rid of my Echo shows. Thanks for watching.

[@brianj9262]

One of my big let downs from the echo is I really like having the security of calling 911 if I ever needed to. They canceled that service and gave a 10 dollar gift card. I thought that was a great feature if there was ever a home intruder and you couldn't use your hands for a call. I guess there is no profits in customer service and helping people. I'm thinking it has much to do with all the illegals entering the country so they canceled the service, but hey... trust the government and big tech

[@spaceace1779]

Another great video, Craig! It was really a comprehensive comparison of both system availability and features. this is my alternate account, but this is Alan. Hard to believe that it’s been more than seven years that I’ve been with you… 😊 🎉

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is very disappointing. You can't trust Amazon to keep features that you buy the devices for. I am sorry to hear they canceled that a gave you a gift card.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hey Alan, thank you very much my friend. I can't believe it has been that long either. Where has the time gone. I hope you are feeling better. Have a great day.