Interesting article in MacRumors about the strategy differences between Amazon and Apple. As usual, Apple is trying to build a closed system with HomeKit and requires considerable testing of devices. They have been slow out of the gate.

Amazon has been willing to take all comers in linking to Alexa.

But security.

Is this tortoise and the hare or just a straight race? Alexa seems on to be a Thing...

I think Alexa will win the race. Not because it is better (betamax was better than vhs), but because it is on the market and affordable. It seems to be gaining ground while Siri hasn't really grown in the publics eye, plus it is associated only with iphones. Siri is like Messages - it works well for those that have the components, but no one is buying the components for Messages alone. People are buy Alexa products just because of Alexa.

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

....and sexier voice....??

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Then there's this.

Siri has already lost the race.

Google is the real competition to the Echo.

Siri is still in beta from 2012 imho.

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Bryan
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Mac Studio 2022
MacBook Pro 14 inch 2021
iPhone 14 Pro
Location: Cincinnati

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Grumpyguy
Siri is still in beta from 2012 imho.

...And even the most outstanding flaws don't get fixed until Walt Mossberg headlines them.

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numbered
…about the strategy differences between Amazon and Apple. As usual, Apple is trying to build a closed system with HomeKit

No, it's not; it's building a secure system with HomeKit. Third-parties are very welcome provided their products comply with Apple's security requirements.

That is an excellent point. Apple is open, just focused on security.

Which raises the issue, what is Amazon's plan for dealing with botnets of thermostats and smoke alarms? Rooted Echos? I know the FTC wend after D-Link for lax implementation on their network devices. Do consumers have an expectation of secure front door locks?

More on HomeKit and its focus on security, ease-of-use, and reliability here (with the mandatory negative headline, of course):

[www.reuters.com]
"Apple is taking a slower route, asserting more control over the technology in order to assure security and ease-of-use…

"To be Homekit-certified, gadget makers must include special chips to work with Apple’s system. Developers that order small volumes of the chips say they can cost an 50 cents to $2, though prices are lower for larger buyers. Apple also requires developers to buy specific WiFi and Bluetooth networking chips that cost more than competitors…

"The devices have to be made in special factories that are certified by Apple…

"Manufacturers also have to send product samples to Cupertino, where Apple tests them extensively for compatibility…

"Some developers say it's worth it. 'They found issues with our product before we released it that we didn't find in our testing,' said Gimmy Chu, CEO of Nanoleaf, a smart lighting system. 'We know that after we have the certification that it's rock solid.'…

"Apple's approach has some clear advantages when it comes to privacy, security and ease-of-use. HomeKit gadgets, for example, can operate without being connected to the Internet…

"'It also makes for a better user experience,' notes Ahmed Abdallah, a senior engineer at Incipio, which makes HomeKit-compatible devices such as electrical outlets. 'You’ll experience some latency if you’re always having to bounce off the cloud' as with Alexa…

"Apple also has an advantage around setup. iPhone owners open up the Home app and set up a device with just a few taps…

"Amazon acknowledges that unlike Apple, it can't guarantee the security of third-party devices."