"Smart" Speakers

[Xairbusdriver]

Looks like Apple's (expensive!) Home Pod is exclusively aimed at Apple users, especially those who use Apple Music. Here is a review/comparison of the Home Pod, Echo Dot (Amazon) and Google Home Mini.

Beyond Music: Comparing the HomePod to Amazon Echo and Google Home,
TidBITS, 15 Mar 2018, by Julio Ojeda-Zapata

Let's see what Apple should be able to do by the end of the year. Perhaps even find out why anyone should wait that long. There is also an indication of why the Apple ID method is reaching some serious limitations.

Siri, obviously, is the "interface" with the Home Pod. Here's a related story that may explain why it is so lacking in that  task: Former Apple Employees Reflect on Siri's 'Squandered Lead' Over Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
As usual, "former employee" is a cause for some caution. But the lack of development of Siri and its poor showing in the Home Pod confirms at least some of the concerns expressed in the report. I especially liked the comments attitude of the fired manager of the Siri effort: Mr. Williamson wrote. "It was slow, when it worked at all. The software was riddled with serious bugs. Those problems lie entirely with the original Siri team, certainly not me." Yep, that's the kind of support and 'Team Effort' that gets positive results every time!

[kimmer]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Mar 15 2018, 10:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is also an indication of why the Apple ID method is reaching some serious limitations.

I realize my brain is mush from this cold I’m battling, but what does the Apple ID method have to do with this?

[Xairbusdriver]

An Apple ID is limited to a single person. The HP requires the use of the Apple ID, thus only one person can control it. The 'competition' has no such barriers. At least one can be 'trained' to recognize the voice of multiple people. I assume the HP can be controlled by any number of voices, the program choices are limited to those of the Apple ID owner.

I'm also tired of calling it an "Apple ID", it's nothing more than a password. Only Apple comes up with names that force people to use the brand name... and it adds more confusion to the log in process, IMHO. YMMV. It's just a(nother) one of my collection of "pets". At least those "pets" don't need food and water!