Apple Developing New 'HomePod' Models With Screens and Cameras

[fuchsdh]

Honestly it'd be a bit weird for me to see them offer such a product just because they already have excellent camera-equipped screens (iPads) that you could use rather than getting a dedicated and less useful product.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Am... am I finally coming to life?!?

 

[_Spinn_]

This could be interesting.

 

[LV426]

My stereo HomePod setup is going to look mighty stupid with a screen in front of one or more speakers.

Has April Fool's day come ten days early?

 

[Vjosullivan]

Isn't that basically an iPad?

No, it's a completely different colour.

 

[Shanghaichica]

So happy to hear this. I was sad because I’d just got rid of all my echos and google nest devices and switched entirely over to HomePods and then they go and discontinue the HomePod.

 

[randomgeeza]

Vile, no, no, no, & no... Hate it. Terrible idea.

 

[TwoBytes]

So I have an iPhone.
The Homekit app is free.
Apple are planning to remove the HomeKit app,
bundle it with a dedicated screen and charge me 499 for it?

 

[Jason2000]

So, an iPad with a big speaker. But different... And besides, within two years? Unlikely.

You are assuming they just started looking a device like this.

 

[cmaier]

Isn't that basically an iPad?

I think it will be more like an Apple Watch interface.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Effing fix Siri.

Cue those who say it works all the time for them. I call BS.

It works but is limited. The google assistant is so far ahead.

 

[Wildkraut]

Personally, I have no usage for this, and I also think it won’t sell that much.

 

[ThankYouRob]

I'd love to see this. I'm guessing pricing as follows:

HomePad Max: $500
HomePad Mini: $300

...also, that'll be the name. HomePad...just confusing enough between all models.

 

[Konigi]

Why not update the iPad with MagSafe, then make a "MagSafe HomePod Base" that would work with either iPad or iPhone, and make it work like a HomePod?

How would you make so much profits, then?
It's the same reason Apple sells laptops that are not convertible into iPads. They want to sell you both.

 

[jclardy]

Google got this right from their first Home Hub a few years ago. A smart speaker, photo frame, and smart home hub controller all in one device, with no camera and a small, but not too small display. The screen also can dim to super low brightness levels.

I really don't understand the devices like this with cameras. They work best on night stands, kitchen counters, desk edges and other places where getting "in frame" of the camera is going to be awkward or uncomfortable for video calls.

 

[citysnaps]

Now the announcement about discontinuing the homepod makes more sense. Doesn't make me any happier however, the next incarnation will be able to not only hear you, but see you.

Bingo!

 

[mattopotamus]

My stereo HomePod setup is going to look mighty stupid with a screen in front of one or more speakers.

Has April Fool's day come ten days early?

I guess you have never seen a google hub or echo with a screen...

 

[citysnaps]

This thread will not age very well for the hand-wringers.

 

[mattopotamus]

Google got this right from their first Home Hub a few years ago. A smart speaker, photo frame, and smart home hub controller all in one device, with no camera and a small, but not too small display. The screen also can dim to super low brightness levels.

I really don't understand the devices like this with cameras. They work best on night stands, kitchen counters, desk edges and other places where getting "in frame" of the camera is going to be awkward or uncomfortable for video calls.

I very much agree with this. Then again, Apple has FaceTime and unlike the other devices people would actually use it in the kitchen, etc.

Most would probably not pony up the asking price of this device when the competition is sure to be 3+ times cheaper. Once you have a smart home device with a screen you realize it's used nearly identical to those without a screen.

 

[TimFL1]

This is a bad move IMHO. Having a screen is an easy copout for them to halfass the voice control part.

I was always a fan of the HomePod only having a swirly LED blob to display activity, cause it forced Apple to provide value in terms of voice output and intuitive voice commands. I fear them adding displays to the HomePod will slow the intuitive voice feedback & commands development down, cause it‘s easier to throw up something on the display.

That being said, the HomePod could do so much more. Simple queries like „where is my dad?“ don‘t work instead of giving a simple answer like „30km away in XYZ“.

 

[ned1]

So an iPad with a HomePod Mini strapped to the back😂 - sounds like another brave move by Apple😳

 

[lederermc]

iPad with better speakers? Sounds like a very stupid idea unless they whimp it down to be not really an iPad and as cheap as Amazon stuff.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Would love this, but also think that a focus on Siri is needed if they want these to succeed. My HomePods sound amazing, but they're more than just a speaker and need to perform as such.

They're terrible speakers with no real input methods. They're siri interfaces, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Neepman]

They need something specifically for the Elderly, & they can certainly use Silicon Valley as a testbed !

It's something I think Steve Jobs would have created already.

Something super easy to use, & with just a few key voice commands.

Yeah...right! My analysis is Jobs hated the elderly more than his own child he refused to own up to.

 

[bigchrisfgb]

A HomePod with an iPad attached. It will be expensive undoubtedly, but nothing is going to work for them until they improve Siri. When you compare the abilities of Google assistant to Siri, Siri is hands down in beta still. They dropped the ball there, to th epoint that I don;t think they can catch up.

Pretty much what it is and exactly why it will fail.
Why would I want an iPad that I can’t pick up?
Why do I want a speaker with a screen when I can interact with my phone, tablets, or computer instead?

HomePod was a great product, it just wasn’t my priced at the right level or marketed well.
Apple would have been better off to have had it as a loss leader in terms of hardware costs in order to build the customer base.
Having it cost less bit ending up with people choosing Apple Music over Spotify or Amazon music would have been for them.