Yes, timers and alarms are much easier with Siri. I also use it to set reminders and to add items to a grocery list. I use Siri to tell a HomePod to play variou

Yes, timers and alarms are much easier with Siri. I also use it to set reminders and to add items to a grocery list. I use Siri to tell a HomePod to play various songs and artists while I’m doing other things in the house and to also to call person “X”. I sometimes ask Siri what the temperature is outside or if rain is forecast in the next N hours. We have some lights that are automated but that we can ask Siri to turn on or off as needed. A lot of what makes Siri easier than the various apps is easier input and multitasking. Input can be simpler as some apps can have fiddle controls for adding very precise values. I am often doing something else while using Siri to do something. My phone may not be in my hard or even in the same room.