Apple plays catch-up in the smart home with HomeKit and Siri updates

At the WWDC keynote, Apple announced updates to HomeKit the HomePod. And perhaps most importantly, Siri. Here's a quick look at how these changes will affect Apple smart. [MUSIC] So WWDC actually happened. So many other events recently have been understandably canceled like Google I/O Facebook F8. But went ahead and did it. It was just pre recorded and online. The keynote was filled with announcements about the new iOS and Macs, Big Sur operating system and blah, blah, blah, blah. I want to talk about the Smart Home stuff. The Smart Home didn't get a lot of time in the spotlight, but a handful of changes could make a big difference. Let's start with Siri. Along with the new iOS 14 Seres is getting a big update. Yeah, it'll pick up less space on your phone but more importantly, it will be smart. Apple noted that it will know 20x more facts than it had access to three years ago, and it will integrate more sources when searching for answers. Siri isn't as good of an assistant right now as Google Assistant, or Amazon's Assistant, maybe this will help, and help it respond to more questions, still, it sounds like this is more gradual improvement than big leap forward on the site ometer I'm giving it a one out of five, I am glad to hear from. But I kind of wanted more. Apple showed off new audio messages and keyboard dictation through Siri as well, fine, fine. I did like the new translate app. You pull it up on your phone and Siri can translate phrases in real time. So you can talk to someone in a different language. Even this is still kind of playing catch up. Google can already do this. But bringing it to iPhones will obviously make it more widespread. And Apple's going to process the information locally so your conversation stays private. So this one gets a three on the accelerometer. Yeah, google can already do something similar but it's so cool. And the extra privacy's a nice touch. Apple Smart Home platform got a few moments in the spotlight, which is more than it usually does. There were some rumours leading up to the event that Apple was gonna announce its own Smart Home device. Maybe a Smart Home camera. That's what you get for hoping. COBOL But actually the updates we got weren't bad. When you add a new device, home kit will suggest automations out of bulb and your phone will ask you if you wanna turn on the lights when you get home. That's pretty hint. And it might actually help people know what they wanna do when they get started with a smartphone. A blank canvas can be scary but with just a little nudge from your old pal Siri, now you're rolling. Also the Home app which controls homekit devices will show statuses up top and a new feature called Adaptive lighting will let your color changing bulbs shift to warmer or cooler tones as the day progresses. That's simple but pretty cool. All this stuff is good solid work, earning respectable three on the set. I mean, I'm still not running around the place jumping for joy, downstairs neighbors, we need to have a really good cause to do that. Home kits also getting better with cameras. compatible models will now Support Activity zones. So you can limit motion detection within a camera field of view to say just the front porch, the support facial recognition and Apple smart speakers the home pod can actually announce who's at the door if you have a home kit doorbell you can even pull up a life Feed of the doorbell or another cam on your Apple TV or your phone. And for all this while cool, i'm giving Apple a two on the accelerometer. Google and Amazon have had all this functionality for a while, but Apple is gonna process more information locally, so more privacy Speaking of home pod, again, we heard rumors of a possible new model, potentially a smaller, more affordable smart speaker from Apple. And again, maybe in the fall, maybe for your birthday, if your good home pod didn't even really get its own second. But afterwards, Apple quietly rolled out that you can now listen to third party music on the smart speaker instead of just Apple Music. Congrats Apple, you know, have a functional smart speaker. I'm giving this a one on the odometer and not just because I'm better we didn't get a new one. Still can also file it under the better late than never category. I have actually finding a lot of this into the better late than never folder but, home gets one advantage has always been pricey. And Apple is keeping that intact while catching up on some of these features So probably home gets doomed to remain in third place. But maybe, just maybe given the pedigree of apple, it's a sleeping giant that's slowly putting the pieces in place. hope springs eternal Guess and I'll keep my fingers crossed. Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed the video, and thanks for watching. Cuz it's an apple. I get it. There's no one there. It's just a neighbor. No, there's I don't live there. I'm by myself.