What can the HomePod do that justifies its purpose with other Apple devices?
I own several Apple devices, newer to older, some of the most expensive to some of the least. I recently added a new MacMini, along with an iPhone 16, iPad Air 13, Apple Watch Ultra, latest Apple TV 4K and this HomePod mini. However, I am not sure what the HomePod mini does or what purpose it serves other than as speaker and nuisance to constantly retrieve an iPhone from a desk in another room.
I purchased the HomePod mini, as the MacMini lacks a mic input but has Apple Intelligence. I don't care to add another webcam to the mix I already use with work. I thought the HomePod mini could be a solid replacement to Alexa, but so far, almost everything I prompt it by voice is returned with instructions to check my phone. I am sitting at a Mac, right next to an Apple TV. If I wanted to use a phone, I would do so intially. I am not interested in Siri on my phone, as this is so 2014 and Meta AI is more useful, with proven AR, VR and quality RayBan design. Apple is becoming the Dell of this decade.
Can anyone share what the HomePod can do that justifies spending $100 USD on? If it's tied to Apple Music, wouldn't Apple want to extend a trial to any device in front of me? Has anyone been able to use this product on anything other than their phone?
