Apple’s new HomePod speaker might be the dumbest smart-speaker on the market.
Based on early reviews and leaked info, it appears that Apple has seriously crippled Siri on the new HomePod speaker and removed some features, making it vastly different than the version of Siri that lives on your iPhone.
Pre-orders for HomePod opened to the public last week after Apple had to push the launch back in late 2017. Software issues were reportedly the cause of the delay so the company decided to make a few compromises with Siri.
One of the biggest changes to the HomePod version of Siri is that you can’t ask it obscure questions. Apple says it can answer “general knowledge” questions. So stuff like “how many feet are in a meter?” should be answerable, but other questions like “How tall is Kevin Durrant?” probably won’t be answered.
HomePod also can’t access your calendar to check if you have any appointments coming up. To make a call with HomePod you’ll have to dial the number on your iPhone first.
We’ll still need to get some time in with the HomePod ourselves to get a better picture of how limited Siri is. If you’re hoping to use HomePod like an Amazon Echo though, you might be severely disappointed.
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
12 responses to “HomePod version of Siri comes with big limitations”
wow, it is hard to believe…. Siri even dumber?
So Siri is “smart” on my iPhone and iPad and Apple Watch?
Oh boy! Scarey and yet HILARIOUS.
Oh well, was on my list before xmas, actually 2…..no longer….
Siri is dumber on the Pod…WTF??? although she has gotten much better than early versions….she’s no genius…. now to read she’s worse on the Pod….Apple seems to be shooting themselves in the foot…..again…
Every implementation of Siri has different qualities, which means they’re not really the same thing.
Siri on macbook can’t run a timer, for example.
Exactly! Siri on iOS is different from Siri on macOS, which is entirely different from Siri on tvOS, which is different from Siri on watchOS.
That being said, I do wish Siri was more consistent though. I shouldn’t have to know the limitations of Siri on each and every Apple device I have that support Siri. If it works on one, it should work on the other.
There is ONE thing about Siri thats the same on all platforms.
LOL!
But it’s a high quality sounding speaker.
Jeez! Get with the program. Don’t be a suppressive person.
We’re not supposed to talk about Stupid, I mean Siri. Excuse me.
Hahahaha, this seriously made me laugh.
c’mon this HOMEPOD is quickly becoming a joke. Whats the point of a smart speaker if I cant ask whats my next todos or call someone handsfree while I’m washing my dishes: BIG BIG BIG NO.
Apparently, it’s really just a speaker.
I’m sure this will be changed after a software update or two. I’m not worried.