Should you go for Amazon Alexa, Apple’s HomeKit, or Google Home?
Here are some reasons why you should avoid Apple HomeKit.
Limited Smart Speaker Options
Smart speakers are typically deployed as the backbone of a smart home ecosystem.
They serve the function of a hub, enabling interconnectivity between your smart home devices.
For manufacturers like Google and Amazon, you have several choices of smart speakers to choose from.
They come in different shapes, sizes, and features.
Image Credit:Apple
Apple discontinued the larger HomePod speaker in March 2021 in favor of the HomePod Mini.
So far, Apple has shown no signs of launching a HomePod model to complement the mini.
Of course, an iPhone or an iPad doesn’t come cheap.
Image Credit:Apple
The HomePod Mini is $99.
Google’s Nest Mini and Amazon’s Echo Dot equivalent cost half that.
That’s not all.
Image Credit:Unsplash
This chip is costly and adds extra costs to the production of HomeKit-compatible home appliances.
This cost is likely pushed to the consumers.
No matter the angle you look at it, HomeKit is an expensive ecosystem.
Image Credit:Apple
Limited Number of Compatible Devices
HomeKit isn’t as popular as its competitors.
That’s a lot by all standards.
Apple’s HomeKit can only muster compatibility with a few hundred brands.
The HomePod mini hasn’t evolved as much as consumers would love.
Apple hasn’t really done anything spectacularly different from what competing brands like Sonos and Amazon have accomplished.
The HomePod mini is a good speaker for its size, but it’s desperately in need of upgrades.
There’s also the issue of the virtual assistant.
However, it still falls short when it goes against the likes of Alexa and Google Assistant.
In terms of accuracy in answering questions, Siri came behind Alexa in ourin-house virtual assistant test.
Apple does this with most of its product line, not so much for the HomeKit.
Yes, Apple builds the HomePod mini.
But have you met Amazon’s Alexa ecosystem?
Amazon makes the bulk of its hardware.
From smart thermostats, plugs, and cameras, to seemingly trivial things like a soap dispenser.
This isn’t about who makes the most smart gadgets.
It is about ensuring seamless compatibility and quality across all the interoperable smart gadgets within an ecosystem.
Apple depends heavily on third-party hardware to keep the HomeKit ecosystem afloat.
You’d seldom find things that work just right.
For some products, interoperability is a complete mess and timely software update is wishful thinking.
Buying products with a HomeKit sticker doesn’t mean it will just work.
Also, being HomeKit-compatible isn’t necessarily a seal of quality from Apple.
Apple’s HomeKit Isn’t There Yet
Apple hasn’t really hit the right chord with HomeKit.
Worst off, we suspect that this will be the case for a long time.
If you find yourself stuck within the Apple ecosystem, HomeKit isn’t disappointing in all metrics.
It does have its good points.
However, if you have the option of choosing, HomeKit might not be the best choice for you.
