How will it be a good thing for all Apple users since Apple users use iMessage and don’t give a crap about SMS or RCS?
Maybe it it was someone else besides google pushing RCS it might have a better adoption rate. But by this time next year google will have moved to another message app.
I have an Apple TV and multiple HomePods, both the mini and the original. While all of them will work for scenes the Apple TV works best for automations so I have smart plugs for all my HomePods that power then off and back on on the middle of the night to make sure the Apple TV is the main hub.