Needed a gateway device for some smart home stuff I got for Xmas, seems the best price I could find and had free shipping.
Apple Homepod Mini $139 + Delivery ($0 to Metro/ C&C/ in-Store) @ Officeworks
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Boojotim on 27/12/2022 - 23:07 officeworks.com.au (708 clicks)
Last edited 28/12/2022 - 10:25 by 2 other users
Last edited 28/12/2022 - 10:25 by 2 other users
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Echo Dot can prob do more, but I found the sound quality on the Home Pod Mini to be really impressive
Other platform can't do Homekit. That's already a reason to use HomePods.
I use several Google minis as well. Current smart home is setup around Homekit with the only online connection to Google assistant. Not really want any more players into my home.
We are an apple family, iPhones iPads MacBooks but man I bought this after being given an echo studio and really blown away. They were almost identical in sound quality (apple 10% bassinet because the driver fired downwards maybe) but $10 vs $150.. which I would have been OK with, but the echo mopped the floor with it functionality wise, stability wise on network.
So I bought an echo studio on sale for like $180 and they are in different universes for sound quality, Spotify just plays wherever and they never need resetting. Like ever. No contest but apples smart speaker game to me at least, is so far below amazons.I haven't used Alexa or Google's in a while, but I'd assume Siri isn't the brightest of the smart assistants either.
According to MKBHD, Google Assistant is far ahead of the pack, Siri is second while Alexa finishes dead last. At least on smartphones.
Smart phones I agree. Although Siri is getting better every update and I’m actually at the stage where I prefer Apple Maps to Google maps. That alone has been years.
Googles voice translation is still a level above though.Not sure if Amazon even make phones? So I wouldn’t really compare a third party Amazon Alexa app on an android or iOS device.
On any review of smart speakers, Siri is always dead last
And Amazon is very comparable to googles version. .@BusMan247: You prefer Apple Maps over Google? Dang.
I can’t stand Apple Maps. Always thinks it gives the best way, while on paper, yes technically it would be the “shortest” distance but the amount of turns, stop signs, lights etc. Also the upcoming directions aren’t always clear or announces too late.
I actually enjoyed TomTom app, the “then” directions are great, I love to know what’s coming up, so I can decide what lane to filter into if it’s a left coming up within 100m for example.
It’s just I hate having a second app for navigation and another app for business location/business open hours/info.
If tomtom used their navigation with google information (or vice-versa) that would be perfect.
@BusMan247: Siri is a mess. I can’t understand why she is so far behind GA. I only use her for the most simple tasks. Likewise with Apple Maps. Any new place or semi-complex request I use Google Assistant which I trigger via read triple tap. I’ve been sent on wild adventures so many times because of Maps lol so I really only use it for live traffic and drive my own route.
A bit Late to the game, and still 10x more expensive then competitor. Alexa is young vibrant and fun, Siri is an uptight middle age women.
FYI for whoever needs to know or may sell one second hand, the Homepod Mini requires an Apple charger (Included in box). It will not receive power out of the usual power hubs and alternative brand chargers despite them being more powerful.
I use one of my Homepod Mini's with a 3rd party UGREEN Mini 20W USB C Charger AU Plug and have no issues.
They are $20 on Amazon AU but not sure about the longevity of the charger itself yet as one review suggested it stopped working after 3 months (not specifically about Homepod), mine is still going since Feb 2022.Some may just want to opt for the official Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter for $9 more than the UGREEN for peace of mind as out of the Amazon return policy, it would likely cost more if you needed to claim under warranty. I will likely replace mine for an official one at some point also.
Some other chargers do work yes but the majority may fail. I have picked up a couple Gan2/3 chargers from Ozbargain over the years and they all failed at powering the Homepod Mini. Had to use my Macbook charger to power it for setup lol
Welcome to the world of “universal” usb-c.
cheaper if use the apple gift cards from Woolworths/Coles with x20 points
Has been this price for a few weeks now, although there are still people on Facebook marketplace and eBay trying to flog their secondhand ones for more than it costs to buy this one from Officeworks…
Echo dot couldn't do it?