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A stereo pair sounds rather good. I dare not think about the cost. It took some fiddling in Home as they are still shipping them with 11.3 and, of course, that isn't friendly.

I see that AirPlay 2 has been rolled out to certain Sonos models. My speakers are too old.

I really should upload my library to iCloud. It is already shared on my mini Server. Apple Music has a few gaps. Tell me, If I do that and change my mind, do I just untick the box Preferences > General > Upload and they are removed?

If you have a HomePod, ask Siri to play Rendezvous by Jean Michel Jarre. Her confirmation shows she can't do French. Well, not from the English voice. I found it comical.

I wouldn't have an Alexa in my house (or the Google more-so) but if you have the Amazon speaker, Apple Music will soon stream on it, if you subscribe. An alternative to HomePod.

Further to my post above, I had the Amazon Music app on my iPad. I didn't use it except the very occasional check on something. Yesterday's update bundled Alexa. The app has gone.

From the update blurb: 'Go hands-free with Alexa! No need to tap, just say “Alexa” wait for the tone, and ask to play music. No searching or browsing required.'

Nahhhh.

I have bought and Echo and and Echo Dot recently. I have found them useful for being able to turn lights on and off - yes I am that lazy. I have also got them to control my Bose speakers which is really useful.

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I'm never wrong, I'm just less right on occasions.

A little off topic, what light bulb system did you go for? I have Philips Hue in some rooms and Siri does them, as well as the multi-platform HomeKit linked app if I feel like tapping. As you say, useful for on/off and dimming.

I bought a TP Link bulb because you don’t need to buy a hub for it to be used with Alexa.

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I'm never wrong, I'm just less right on occasions.

A good reason.

I'm sure Siri's voice has changed slightly on my HomePod. Not accent or gender, but the tone. It is set to British (Female). It isn't a problem, just an observation.

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Tony

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Thanks for that. It is probably clearer and more natural, as in that article. As to reply phrases, we'll see.

Save £40. Apple have dropped the HomePod price from £319 to £279. I don't know if this is out of the kindness of their heart, temporary, or a stock reduction before a 'Pod 2 appears (he added cynically).

I read that Apple Music is coming to Amazon speakers in December (initially in the US). More evidence that Apple is going into 'services' rather than restricting things to their hardware. Seems like a good way to compete with other music streamers.

That doesn't apply to Sonos speakers that have voice stuff built in but then they can stream already by other methods.

I thought you could already use Apple Music on the Echo system.

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I'm never wrong, I'm just less right on occasions.