3 ways a smarter Siri could make me rethink the HomePod over Sonos and Bose


Apple HomePod

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • Gen AI Siri upgrades are expected at WWDC.
  • A smarter Siri could make HomePod more useful.
  • Siri remains HomePod’s biggest advantage.

It’s been three years since Apple released a smart speaker, and competitors from Sonos, Bose, Denon, and Amazon are taking advantage of Apple’s absence. Apple’s contemporaries have made meaningful strides in fidelity, whole-home audio support, and expanded smart home integration.

Also: Forget the soundbar: How I upgraded my TV audio with spare Bluetooth speakers

Still, HomePod’s integration with Apple’s device ecosystem, consisting of smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more, gives the company’s smart speaker a significant edge over its contemporaries. Additionally, one other major advantage sets Apple apart from others: Siri.

Siri has its limitations, but Apple is expected to announce meaningful gen AI upgrades to its voice assistant during this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). If a reborn Siri seems promising, here’s how I’d like it to behave in HomePod.

1. Smarter music discovery

HomePod’s primary functions are serving as a smart speaker and playing music, and generative AI upgrades to Siri could drastically improve music discovery, playback, and playlist creation. Imagine if you could ask Siri to create a Playlist Playground, Apple Music’s AI-generated playlists, to fit the vibe of an upbeat evening with friends and family.

Also: Spotify vs. Apple Music: I’ve subscribed to both streaming services and prefer this one

You could also ask Siri to play songs and existing Apple Music playlists that fit a certain vibe or only feature a specific artist or genre. With more conversational capabilities, it could use more context to queue music outside of your library. Currently, Siri is limited to playing songs and playlists if you can describe their exact title, artist, or album.

2. More in-depth task completion

The kitchen counter is one of my favorite places to keep a smart speaker, as cooking an elaborate meal requires the right playlist. However, when I start cooking, I start thinking, and a competent, elaborate voice assistant could help me sort through the many tasks and upcoming errands that swirl around in my mind.

For example, imagine you could ask Siri to help you compare flights and hotels in a city for an upcoming trip. Or Siri could generate a route in Apple Maps that most efficiently takes you from your house to your local farmers market and then to FedEx to drop off a package.

Additionally, there are nights when I don’t have a specific recipe in mind, but I still have to make something with the ingredients in my fridge. Perhaps an upgraded Siri could provide ChatGPT-like recipes, including the necessary seasonings and cook times for what I already have on hand.

3. Upgraded reminders and calendar integration

All of your Apple applications and devices registered under the same Apple account can access each other’s data, and I’d like to see upgraded Siri capabilities that bridge the gaps between Calendar, Reminders, and Contacts.

Also: Your Sonos smart speaker has an underutilized automation feature – 5 helpful ways I use mine

For example, I could ask HomePod to find a weekend in June when my calendar and my friends’ shared calendars allow for a Saturday hangout. Then, I’d ask Siri to use Apple Pay to buy movie tickets on that date. Or, perhaps I could ask Siri to remind me to buy a greeting card and gift card the day before my mom’s birthday.

Why Siri is HomePod’s biggest advantage

Due to Apple’s stringent privacy rules, Siri isn’t a native feature on third-party smart speakers. Some companies, such as Bose, opt for the more easily accessible Alexa, while Sonos created its own voice assistant for basic, on-device controls. Some speakers, such as the Denon Home 400, support Siri when the speaker is registered with HomeKit, which requires a HomePod or Apple TV as a hub device.

With that logic, if you want Siri in a smart speaker, it’s more convenient to go with a HomePod. Smart speakers that support Amazon Alexa can execute useful commands but have several limitations when accessing your Apple device’s content, such as reading your iMessages, accessing Photos, or combing through Mail.

Also: 15+ best Alexa commands to make your home work smarter (Prime not required)

Since Siri can serve as a more thorough voice assistant for Apple users, extending its capabilities in your home could transform it from a simple hands-free helper into a deeply integrated digital assistant.





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2026 has shaped up to be a big year for Milwaukee, and the company shows no signs of slowing down as it expands its product line. For example, it has announced that some solid new Milwaukee hand tools and organizers will be arriving throughout the summer, but that’s not all. At the end of the day, you need somewhere to put all of this stuff, and while the Milwaukee Packout storage system is deep and varied as is, the company will expand the line in the summer months.

More methods for organizing your tools are on the way, too, with the Milwaukee Packout line set to introduce some new entries this summer. They vary in size, purpose, and price point, but they’re all compatible with the wider Packout line. That means they can connect to each other, making transportation easier. In some cases, they’ll be able to help keep tools and other items secure and organized while on the move. Additionally, all of these new Packout products are covered by Milwaukee’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

So, what new products does Milwaukee have to offer from its Packout line this summer? Here are the drops you can look forward to throughout June and July 2026.

Milwaukee compact crate

Sometimes, a massive Packout crate isn’t a necessity, which is why the line has its share of smaller options. Yet another will be coming to the Milwaukee catalog in the form of the Milwaukee Packout compact crate, which is set for a June 2026 release and will cost $39.97. It has a 30-pound weight capacity, comes in at 8.75 inches tall, 9.5 inches wide, 15.5 inches long, and 3.75 pounds, and includes two removable dividers to create up to three sections within the crate. The dividers can also be customized by cutting them to size along the pre-made score lines.

This compact crate features a wide front opening for easy access to its contents while on the job, as well as a metal top handle to carry it around on its own. Should you want to add it to your current Packout stack, you can use the connection points at the top and bottom of the crate. Speaking of durability, Milwaukee notes that it has an impact-resistant body along with weep holes to prevent water collection. At the same time, there is some nuance regarding the waterproof nature of Milwaukee Packout products, so keep that in mind before letting this crate get soaked.

Milwaukee Packout low-profile crate

A shorter but equally mighty Milwaukee Packout container is also on its way to customers this summer. The Milwaukee Packout low-profile crate is the shortest of the new releases at just 6.625 inches tall, though it makes up for what it lacks in height with a 15-inch length and an 18.625-inch width. Even though it’s slightly heavier than the compact crate at 4.85 pounds, it wins out in weight capacity with a 50-pound limit. It will be released in June 2026 and will cost $44.97.

For added modularity, the low-profile crate includes three different divider types: eight short, two long, and one for the middle of the container. When combined, they form up to 12 individual sections for tool and accessory organization. In terms of connecting to other Packout containers, it can do so from the top and bottom. Alternatively, built-in side handles are integrated into the design to make it easier to carry the crate on its own. The crate has weep holes for water drainage and an impact-resistant body.

Milwaukee Packout XL crate

Moving on to one of the larger upcoming Milwaukee Packout releases — even if it ultimately lands somewhere in the middle of the smallest and largest Packout containers for sale — there’s the aptly-named Milwaukee Packout XL crate. This release will hit shelves in June 2026 and comes with a $69.97 price tag. The 8.03-pound crate can take on some serious tools with its 75-pound weight capacity. It measures 15 inches tall, 15.75 inches long, and 18.625 inches wide. Despite its size, it can be hung up on a wall like most other Packout containers.

While some may hang this crate in their workshop, many will use it as part of their mobile Packout stack. You can connect it to your existing setup via the top and bottom connection points. It can also be used with Milwaukee toolbox attachments to hold smaller tools and batteries with connection points on the sides. Alternatively, you can move the crate around using its built-in side handles. It’s advertised as having an impact-resistant body along with anti-water collection weep holes. Suffice to say, there’s more to this seemingly simple crate than initially meets the eye.

Milwaukee Packout Wire Pulling XL Crate

For the most part, the Milwaukee Packout line is so popular because of its versatility. While most entries can be used for just about anything, there are those that come with a specialized function. Case in point, the forthcoming Milwaukee Packout Wire Pulling XL crate, which is designed for dispensing wire. This involves inserting and locking in spools of the user’s needed material, threading the wire through the wire retention slots, and using the fold-down panel to keep the end of the wire from rolling back into the box.

Overall, this crate has the same dimensions and weight capacity as the previously covered Packout XL crate, though it is the heavier of the two at 9.85 pounds. It can accommodate up to six spools, can be stacked onto other Packout containers or hung up, and has an impact-resistant body. This is the most expensive of the new Packout releases at a hefty $119.97, and it’s set to release during July 2026. Alongside the best Milwaukee power tools for electrical work, this crate seems like a vital piece for any Milwaukee-enthusiast electrician’s kit.

New Milwaukee Packout inserts are coming, too

That’s it for the new Milwaukee Packout containers set to debut this summer, but there are more new releases yet to cover. To pair with some of these containers and improve their levels of organization and function, come two new insert sets. First is the divider for the Milwaukee Packout XL crate, which splits the container into two sections. It simply slides down the middle of the crate and fits snugly into place, while retaining its ability to connect with smaller Packout attachments. It will be released in July 2026 for $29.97.

Alongside the Packout XL crate divider is the set of Packout wire pulling inserts for the XL crate. You’ll need these if you end up buying an XL crate and later want to use it as a wire-pulling crate. These inserts allow you to convert it instead of having to buy a new designated wire pulling crate. They attach to two of the inner sides of the crate via T-25 screws and include wire puller guards as well. The Milwaukee product listing says these inserts are meant for 1/2-inch EMT conduit. This insert set also comes out in July and will cost $49.97. 





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