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Yeah, not surprised if this is the case. I actually tried one out at the apple store and was intrigued but it isn't something I need right and certainly not at this price. Several years down the road perhaps. Coming from someone who loves Apple products, I hope this may come down in the price in the future... I mean I still can't get over them charging $1000 for an iPhone (currently having a fully paid off iPhone 7 since Sept 2016 that I will keep using). It is what it is.
 
Not mention a high return rate. I think people including myself got one. It was initially really sweet, but then it sinks in. I just spent $400 on a speaker with the tax and while it sounds great, what does it really bring to the table. Siri isn't that great. I ended up going with Echo Dot's connected to my JBL Xtreme's. One in my living room and one in my bedroom. I am happy. I think many have done this and decided this speaker just isn't worth the cost of admission.


Audio quality is extremely hard to quantify. There are plenty of companies making a good living selling plain old speakers (without an amp or wireless capability, never mind Siri) for a lot more than $350. So, I think there are two sides to the value proposition coin here.
 
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Why? Unless they plan on buying multiple HomePods, there's no advantage to it.

People who would buy multiple HomePods instead buying one or none would, in fact, reduce sales.

(Incidentally, that's not the only advantage to AirPlay 2, if you've got other audio systems, like an AV receiver or Airport Express. If they are also upgradable to AirPlay 2, you've got a multi-room audio system that integrates your HomePod as well as existing equipment. This is what I'm hoping for, though I know it's not guaranteed that either my AV receiver or Airport Express will receive an AirPlay 2 upgrade.)
 
I miss the Apple of my youth... An exciting, irreverent Apple that did unbelievable new things.
I miss it too. I didn’t buy Apple products then (too expensive) but I lusted after them. At least until Amiga.

Now that I can afford Apple, I buy Apple (and AAPL).

I don’t expect a company as wildly successful as Apple to be as edgy as they were. If they tried, it would feel fake.
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I miss the Apple of my youth... An exciting, irreverent Apple that did unbelievable new things.
I miss it too. I didn’t buy Apple products then (too expensive) but I lusted after them. At least until Amiga.

Now that I can afford Apple, I buy Apple (and AAPL).

I don’t expect a company as wildly successful as Apple to be as edgy as they were. If they tried, it would feel fake.
 
I don't know about that. Having too few iPhones on launch day only seems to strengthen the demand and increase the hype.

This is a product aimed at audiophiles; not the folks who want a reasonably to lower cost smart speaker.

I think the problem is the audiophiles willing to shell out top dollar have been using and will continue to go with other options, like actual stereos.
Lol not even then. I heard from an a certain "honest" tech reviewer (and Apple fan) on Youtube that the volume doesn't get high enough, and there's too much bass, overpowers the rest of the sounds. And no equalizer? Lol...

When will Apple understand not everyone is a fan of rap or R&B music? (Or high bass)
 
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I don't know.... as much as I do enjoy their products, I really don't see this as something I'll ever invest in. A lot of that has to do with it being marketed as an audio first product. I've got an airport express hooked in to my retrofitted stereo console (Yamaha CR-620 and Dual 1009 TT). It works flawlessly as is and I just about guarantee it sounds worlds better. Fat chance you're going to convince me to replace it with this. Plus, I just don't believe in voice assistants.
 
well DUH! When the price is so high that you can get 2 Sonos Play One's for less and they sound as good if not better AND they work will most music services plus Alexa....BIG FAT DUH APPLE!
 
And what do you mean by forgetting how to Apple? Please don’t use a cliche term like innovate.
They are selling sugar water.
I miss it too. I didn’t buy Apple products then (too expensive) but I lusted after them. At least until Amiga.

Now that I can afford Apple, I buy Apple (and AAPL).

I don’t expect a company as wildly successful as Apple to be as edgy as they were. If they tried, it would feel fake.
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I miss it too. I didn’t buy Apple products then (too expensive) but I lusted after them. At least until Amiga.

Now that I can afford Apple, I buy Apple (and AAPL).

I don’t expect a company as wildly successful as Apple to be as edgy as they were. If they tried, it would feel fake.
Absolutely.

You can't fake or pretend to be a visionary and a world changer.

You either have it or you don't.
 
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The HomePod is a fantastic product. But it's not a dumb speaker. A dumb speaker would not restrict you just to Apple devices. A dumb speaker would be fully accepting of any bluetooth connection.

This is a smart speaker, no matter what the legion of HomePod Knights Templar might say, and it doesn't even play with the big boys apart from quality of sound, let alone compete.

If Apple Execs are surprised by the lack of sales because its an underperforming smart speaker, and they shouldn't be surprised, they might need to look to themselves for where the fault is.
 
I think I might be getting old. I have always loved my tech toys but...

I DON'T GET THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT THING AT ALL.

Virtually every encounter I have had with it in any form has been lackluster or simply frustrating.
 
Meanwhile, a devoted iPad Mini user here has been waiting with cash for years now to upgrade from the 4 I’ve had since 2015.
 
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I own an Echo, some Sonos, and some HomePods, they are the best of these three...
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You keep thinking they are going after the smart speaker market, this isn't their goal, if it was the product would be much cheaper. You really think Apple doesn't do any price research? I'm sure they are hitting their numbers, but we have no idea what those numbers are...

True, I commented because it's not something I would buy. Then again, I have no desire for any smart speakers, so it's not just Apple. I do not care about their numbers on a product that does not cater to me. I'd rather see them put that money and effort into a product that I would buy and needs some loving right now.

Nothing else for me to say on this particular subject. :cool:
 
I wanted one for months but it kept getting delayed and I eventually just invested in a nice set of bookshelf speakers.

Sorry Apple, should have gotten your product to market sooner.
 
People who value audio quality for listening to music will consider HomePod. And open their wallet to purchase one.

Funny. I value audio quality for listening to music, and I would never consider the HomePod in this current stage. If it were more of a dumb speaker, I might have considered for the convenience since I'm trying to find an easy BT/Airplay combo speaker without spending too much. I previously owned a Wren but gave it away.

I'd say that people who want an all-in-one solution, are in the Apple ecosystem, AND trust Apple's opinions in audio fidelity would consider the HomePod.
 
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I think I might be getting old. I have always loved my tech toys but...

I DON'T GET THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT THING AT ALL.

Virtually every encounter I have had with it in any form has been lackluster or simply frustrating.

There's nothing to get, because they're not very good. If they were good, you'd totally get the personal assistant thing.
 
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