I’m not disagreeing with you, they COULD have added it. At $299, though it WOULD not have made a difference in a market of cheap/free devices. And that’s the market Apple’s competing in, a market where OTHER vendors are making wads of cash on the back end selling the data they have access to. As long as Apple continues their stance of not selling that data, they have to make a profit on the hardware sale OR have it tied to services on the back end. Without that forced tie to the back end services (strategy choice), it’s possible the HomePod would have even been MORE expensive.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Aims to Boost HomePod Sales With New Audio Software Lead
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I do want high end HomePods and I wouldn’t be without the Apple TV. But, I don’t want them combined into one product.
Smart speakers are NOT about the sound, it’s about the assistant and it’s capabilities… Siri is not capable to do the things that Alexa & Google do. I have been 100% loyal to Apple for nearly 30 years, but Siri is awful when it comes to a true assistant. It’s great for turning lights off and on, adding reminders and voice texting type stuff, but answering questions type stuff it’s horrible! I want it to speak an answer to me, not pop up a link on my phone that I have to tap on and read! This is the only reason I also have Google’s around my home. I can have conversations with them that I can’t have with Siri! Get it together Apple!!
Apple has hired a new software lead for the HomePod team as part of an effort to better compete with smart home speakers from Amazon and Google, reports Bloomberg.
The Syng Cell Alpha
Afrooz Family, an audio engineer who worked at Apple from 2012 to 2016, has rejoined the company and is leading software development on the HomePod/Apple TV team. Family co-founded speaker company Syng alongside former Apple design team member Christoper Stringer. Syng is known for the super expensive Cell Alpha, which boasts "triphonic" audio technology that's able to create an immersive, dynamic sound field.
Apple has struggled to get the HomePod to catch on since its launch in 2018. The initial version of the speaker was priced at $350 and boasted higher-quality audio than competitors, but it was just not as popular as much more affordable smart speaker options from Samsung and Google.
The original HomePod was discontinued earlier this year with Apple instead opting to focus on the $99 HomePod mini, which is smaller and much more appealing due to its lower price tag.
Going forward, Apple plans to create a combined HomePod, Apple TV, and FaceTime device that will serve as an all-in-one entertainment option. According to Bloomberg, such a device could be released as early as 2023.
Article Link: Apple Aims to Boost HomePod Sales With New Audio Software Lead
The larger HomePod seemed to be about both. Siri aside. Seeing the cheap little junk speakers people were buying made Apple think if it was really practical to try to sell a large speaker, that people didn't want fidelity, as you say, but 'good enough' to interact with the little things. *shrug* Yeah, Siri could be better, but it could be a whole lot worse too. Didn't Apple just shuffle people get new people on the Siri team not to long ago? Maybe give them time?
Exactly. When the original HomePod was introduced, the effort put into the speaker technology for high quality audio received most of the emphasis. And it was the main reason I purchased HomePods for myself.
If the only objective is to get a smart speaker to interface with Siri or Alexa or whatever system you prefer, then I agree that the sound quality is secondary. Which is why Apple brought out the $99 HomePod mini.
Smart speakers ARE about the sound, though, and it doesn’t even have to be GOOD sound
If it makes a sufficiently loud noise and is cheap or free, that’s what’s going to sell. Siri could match Alexa and Google command for command, or, heck, it could even be better. As as long as Alexa and Google devices are cheaper, they win.