Can they just work on improving the HomeKit ecosystem? Or maybe they're just counting on Matter to solve that problem?
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Apple Aims to Boost HomePod Sales With New Audio Software Lead
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I'm very happy with my stereo pair of HomePods, and I've never heard anyone who owns them say anything but positive words about them. Those complaining about the price have no idea how much a comparable pair of speakers with beam-forming, smart capabilities and Dolby Atmos would cost.
Apple were possibly a bit premature in cancelling them, as many of the features that could have improved sales, such as eARC functionality, were added after they were discontinued. There's still nothing on the market that really compares with them quality wise, and I have zero regrets about purchasing them when I did. I use them literally every day.
Apple were possibly a bit premature in cancelling them, as many of the features that could have improved sales, such as eARC functionality, were added after they were discontinued. There's still nothing on the market that really compares with them quality wise, and I have zero regrets about purchasing them when I did. I use them literally every day.
My free advices for improving the HomePod mini sale:
- Add on-device Siri processing.
- Enable built-in ultra wideband for finding AirTags and iPhones.
- The top surface doubles as a MagSafe charge.
- Displays date and time.
- On-device Siri processing and ultra wideband from HomePod mini.
- Upfiring drivers for true Dolby Atmos.
- Can be configured as various multichannel surround (e.g., 2.0, 5.0, 7.0).
- Available with optional built-in Wi-Fi mesh router.
Siri being abysmal in comparison is likely a big factor here too
Siri is the problem.
The original HomePod was marketed as having great sound quality, but in reality didn't and had no EQ. The HomePod mini doesn't great have sound quality either - EQ still missing. We would be willing to overlook the sound quality, but Siri just plain sucks.
We have a mix of original and minis at home and we use them for timers and intercom. Siri actually does pretty good setting timers. The intercom is hit or miss. We have given up on doing something as advanced as "Hey siri intercom <person's> room <message>." We only do Hey siri intercom <message>. Sometimes she sends the message. Sometimes she says she can't add a device. Sometimes she says to check something on your phone. Since we upgraded to 15, she has been awful. At least half the time she just makes 2 beeps and waits. We've gone back to just yelling, because it is easier than dealing with Siri.
If there was ever a project that needs to just be stopped and restarted from scratch - it is Siri. It can't handle the most basic queries. I forgot my phone at home today and tried to use my watch to make a call - it called the wrong person. It is hilariously bad, and I honestly don't see any improvement since it originally launched. I can't imagine trying to use any advanced queries with her since she can't handle basic stuff.
The original HomePod was marketed as having great sound quality, but in reality didn't and had no EQ. The HomePod mini doesn't great have sound quality either - EQ still missing. We would be willing to overlook the sound quality, but Siri just plain sucks.
We have a mix of original and minis at home and we use them for timers and intercom. Siri actually does pretty good setting timers. The intercom is hit or miss. We have given up on doing something as advanced as "Hey siri intercom <person's> room <message>." We only do Hey siri intercom <message>. Sometimes she sends the message. Sometimes she says she can't add a device. Sometimes she says to check something on your phone. Since we upgraded to 15, she has been awful. At least half the time she just makes 2 beeps and waits. We've gone back to just yelling, because it is easier than dealing with Siri.
If there was ever a project that needs to just be stopped and restarted from scratch - it is Siri. It can't handle the most basic queries. I forgot my phone at home today and tried to use my watch to make a call - it called the wrong person. It is hilariously bad, and I honestly don't see any improvement since it originally launched. I can't imagine trying to use any advanced queries with her since she can't handle basic stuff.
I can't think of anyone that wants that combo that likely is inferior to using any number of apple devices with just some extra gear from 3rd parties. How about selling a pair of devices that interface with a Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, or a Mac for entertainment purposes? All these lovely Apple devices can't do everything entertainment wise, so sell something that can make that happen.
I bought my homepod because:
1. I can stream music to it, and it's portable
2. It sounds great for it's size
3. I can use it as a hub/smart speaker
4. It's wireless
One could care about sound quality and own this: https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/systems/Reference-Music and still listen to music on less than optimal devices. Don't think the two are mutually exclusive.
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It would also have sold better if they had given it some decent home theater capabilities before its last dying breath.
I hope you're joking. That would completely defeat the purpose of a wireless, streaming music player.
i have the original homepod and the mini. both sound good, i’m happy with them as speakers.
siri is the weak link compared to google home. i like that google performs actions like turning off lights in the same room without announcing the action. and the ability to link multiple voice requests.
adding this functionality should be the bare minimum on a homepod that costs significantly more. not sure a guy who designs intricate speakers is going to have much input on siri functionality though.
i agree that the top could be a qi charger. kind of awkward but would be a selling point, at least until your phone slides off.
siri is the weak link compared to google home. i like that google performs actions like turning off lights in the same room without announcing the action. and the ability to link multiple voice requests.
adding this functionality should be the bare minimum on a homepod that costs significantly more. not sure a guy who designs intricate speakers is going to have much input on siri functionality though.
i agree that the top could be a qi charger. kind of awkward but would be a selling point, at least until your phone slides off.
If people cared about sound quality, even a sound bar is better. There are sound hard that even come with Siri functionality and airplay 2
Certainly there are all kinds of reasons people probably decided to buy a HomePod, no doubt. However, there were also many reason to buy something else. Apparently those deciding the latter quite outnumbered the former, leading to its discontinuation.
Sure, but clearly the overlap between people owning such systems and people buying HomePods is extremely small.
It needed some kind of aux in as well. I mean it's nice that you can watch your ATV with some HomePod speakers in stereo. But then when you go to fire up the PS5 or Xbox, I guess you're relegated to the garbage TV speakers again? Why not just buy a soundbar, or even better a real home theater setup, and be able to route all of your audio through it? While you don't get Siri, she's not all that great anyway and anyone buying a HomePod probably already has an iPhone and Apple Watch on them at all times anyway.
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For me, it was the homepod or nothing...not the homepod or something else. Well not entirely true, I was thinking about those huge bluetooth dumb speakers, but decided not to pursue it. In other words, my lack of buying a homepod would not increase the sales of a competitor. But that's me.
Correct, but not mutually exclusive was all I was saying.
People, like myself REALLY cared about sound quality - I bought, then sold, and bought again the HomePod OG. I LOVED it's booming and clear audio sound. But a lot more was missing.
Hiring some former Apple employee that went off and created some success with an SUPER expensive speaker company on his own is NOT gonna solve the issue Apple. You have incredible audio engineers!
Sound quality did NOT kill HomePod sales ... it was Apple's narrow minded focus for Audio. Home speakers are NOT nor EVER, NEVER EVER should be focused ONLY on smart connected devices nor smart connected use.
Apple here is a BIG hint:
1. The majority of your executive team was born and lived through 4 eras of music mediums. You all have used, LP's, 12", 45s with that coaster, Cassettes, CD's and now digital and streaming. What does just about EVERYONE does with music, besides listening to it and enjoying with their ears? They enjoy it with their minds and especially their BODIES! You DANCE ... if you cannot move your limbs, then you do with your head, swaying your neck. If you cannot do that or hear it ... you FEEL it inside.
So ... make compatible your smart speaker ABLE to use ALL previous mediums! I have albums of Marvin Gaye that although sound great in spatial audio ... I'd LOVE an amp that can connect to: speakers, tape deck, turntables, etc.
People don't want to replace a great sound system ... allow them to bring their existing sound system and music library into a digital realm! How on EARTH did Apple bring music to digital with iTunes forget and go backwards with the HomePod? I tried, hard and long to fight for Apple's choice but when I saw, again, Sonos' vision I just couldn't. their product lineup fills every music lovers basic needs despite from scratch or augmenting their existing setup and at the best price options. period.
I like the HomePod product, but Siri is pretty terrible. Alexa is much more functional for me and Google Home is more informative than both of them.
Buying nothing is a possibility too, though that still doesn't help Apple's HomePod sales. As for myself, I get far more functionality out of my traditional HT setup than I would with a HomePod. My ATV, which is the heart of my setup's content delivery, means my setup still exists within the Apple ecosystem, but I have the ability to utilize my audio setup with all sources.
I'm not joking. How hard is it to include both wireless streaming and 1/8" audio in jack? It would be both faster higher quality to plug my iMac into the HomePod using a 1/8 audio jack instead of the stupid wireless connectivity. Don't get me wrong - I use the wireless all the time, but for certain cases I think 1/8" audio is a superior option.
Even the echo dot has both 1/8" in and 1/8" out audio jacks.
I use Echo dots connected to stereo systems. I had the Sonos and Echo Studio systems, they both sounded pretty good, but it wasn't enough to fill a room at a party, etc. I just got some used Bose 301's, a used 12" powered sub, and an old AV receiver I had laying around with Airplay 2, and I've got a really good sounding system for under $400. It shakes my house... the 301's by themselves sound really good down to 80hz.
Well then, allow me to be the first to have less than positive words about them for you. I have two HomePods and they have been very buggy. Siri often forgets that she knows my voice, the HomePods can forget the network they are on and there's the occasional "fart of death" that results in all information being lost. I finally unplugged both. I'll probably toss them soon.
Medium rare, with habanero salsa, some root veggies, and a good chardonnay. Don't over season it. Crow is the new white meat!
EDIT: I've gotten good at eating crow, and, well, it's not so bad. It's all in the sauce...
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