Alexa with SIri, is it really useful?

the Amazon Alexa App can do most things you can do with the Amazon Echo family of speakers. If you use Apple Music with Siri, however, things like 'Play the top song from 1990' for example will not work as that is a Siri specific command. you can access many of the games you can play on the Echos and most other skills. what you cannot do however, is smart home things with just the Amazon Alexa App, for that, if you want Alexa as your smart home assistant, the Echo family of speakers are a must. but most other things you can doo.
hope this helps,
Daniel

You have to open the Alexa app to interact with her, unless there is a shortcut I'm unaware of? I love having Alexas scattered around my house for a cheap way to play music and listen to podcasts aroun the entire house, and set timers/reminders, or be reminded of appointments. Siri is funnier, but I feel like Alexa is more practical and versatile.

You have an Apple Watch, do you not? With this in mind, you can easily just access Siri from the watch. So I guess it would depend on why you would use a smart speaker. Keep in mind that Alexa cannot run shortcuts on your phone and I'm pretty sure she can't set timers, but don't quote me on that! So unless there's something you'd like to do that Alexa uniquely offers, I wouldn't bother using the app.

There is now an Ask Alexa widget you can place on your Home Screen, to issue commands.

To add it, enter the 'Edit Home Screen/Jiggle Mode', tap the 'Add Widget' button, and search for 'Alexa' or 'Amazon.'

Once you issue your first command by tapping the 'Ask Alexa' button, you can either say her name or tap the 'Double-Tap To Talk To Alexa' button to speak another phrase/do an action. If you do not speak anything, the widget will open the Alexa app normally.

The more Amazon apps you use, the more integrated said widget is.
Example, 'play some 90s music', will either play from the Amazon music app , or via the Alexa app itself.

If you ask Alexa to track a package and the Amazon app is installed, it directly opens it on to the 'Orders' page.

You can even make and send/receive Alexa calls from the Widget as well, along with sending messages to and from Alexa users.
Making landline and mobile calls through it also works, though only Verizon and ATT (in the US at least) let you 'receive' calls.

this is interesting discussion. never new about the Alexa widget.

What? The things I learn from the AppleVis community! I feel like this would be a huge drain on your battery.