Apple Discontinues Beats Pill+ Bluetooth Speaker

[MacRumors]

Apple today discontinued the Beats Pill+ Bluetooth Speaker that's been available since 2015, removing it from the online Apple Store. Searching for the speaker brings up no results on Apple's store, and as noted by 9to5Mac, it has also been removed from the Beats website.

The Beats Pill+ Speaker first came out in 2015, and it was priced at $230 at launch, but Apple had been selling it for $180. Apple did not update the Beats Pill+ speaker following its release, but the company did update it with new color options over the years.

The Beats Pill+ was a Bluetooth speaker able to connect to an iPhone, iPad or Mac, and it came with a Beats Pill+ companion app for pairing two speakers and playing music. It featured a 12-hour rechargeable battery, a built-in speakerphone, and an option to charge the iPhone and other devices.

With the discontinuation of the speaker, the Beats line now focuses solely on headphones, and there is no longer a Beats-branded speaker option nor does Apple offer a battery-powered speaker. Apple does have the HomePod mini for those who are looking for a speaker, and the HomePod mini is now Apple's sole available speaker following the discontinuation of the HomePod.

Article Link: Apple Discontinues Beats Pill+ Bluetooth Speaker

 

[zedsdead]

This one was an ok speaker, but honestly I was pissed they never replaced the Beats Pill XL. I sent my back because it had some potential defect, assuming they would make a replacement and it never came.

As for speakers, it is very odd to me that Apple didn't make a batch of Beats branded Airplay speakers. Seems like the obvious move given they couldn't figure out the HomePods.

 

[Nimrad]

Brought back as the notch on the iPhone

 

[nylonsteel]

my age old beats laptop is still kicking as a home theater cpu

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Has anyone seen the Beats Pill + out in the wild?

 

[Squuiid]

They discontinued the HomePod before this piece of garbage?!

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

They discontinued the HomePod before this piece of garbage?!

Probably because of the low sales in the market or maybe Apple was losing money I would assume.

 

[Mac Spec]

Battery operated, bluetooth HomePod mini coming soon?

 

[FHoff]

my age old beats laptop is still kicking as a home theater cpu

Pretty sure that’s an HP laptop.

 

[calvinline]

Battery operated, bluetooth HomePod mini coming soon?

Need something to compete with Sonos Roam

 

[Archmage]

Spotted at a local Costco for $140.

 

[ouimetnick]

I tried out a Beats Pill+. Returned it several days later. Decent speaker for $69-$79 range, but at $199 (price I paid) there were much better sounding alternatives.

 

[npmacuser5]

Apple needs to ramp up the software integration of third party speakers. Let those who already have the speaker know how and product line provide the hardware.

 

[iDento]

This makes sense, it's overpriced and there are many fake pills speakers in the market.

And I want a HomePod Mini with a battery.

 

[4jasontv]

$230 was a bit hard to swallow. It must be bitter for people who just purchased one. Hopefully, they can take a chill before they get a little jagged.

 

[satchmo]

Hmm...discontinuing every other speaker in your store until soon it's just the HomePod mini. ?

 

[aesc80]

Has anyone seen the Beats Pill + out in the wild?

I mean, I'm not a "fellow kid" but all the kids and obnoxious adults with these pills mainly had cheap Sonys or JBLs. Then again, I don't even see these pill speakers out in the wild like at all anymore.

 

[TOM1211]

Had mine since around launch still in use every week no problems with it but I suppose that was a problem for Apple bought one never needed to replace it mostly used at kids parties now and volume holds up well and battery still lasts long enough .

 

[coachgq]

Has anyone seen the Beats Pill + out in the wild?

I have 2 of them. Use them in Stereo while having friends and family over swimming.

 

[Cape Dave]

Apple does not seem to like speakers or monitors.

 

[Sir_Macs_A_Lot]

Guess that's one pill...that was hard to swallow! (Drum Roll)

Anyone else think it's ironic that the product was called "Beats by Dre" and Dr. Dre was know for beating his women?

 

[utsava]

Battery operated, bluetooth HomePod mini coming soon?

A "HomePod Air" seems like a no brainer. Make a magnetic charging base, add IPX rating and I'd buy one.

 

[bpeeps]

It was a pill to use.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Has anyone seen the Beats Pill + out in the wild?

Nope.

 

[Realityck]

With the discontinuation of the speaker, the Beats line now focuses solely on headphones, and there is no longer a Beats-branded speaker option nor does Apple offer a battery-powered speaker. Apple does have the HomePod mini for those who are looking for a speaker, and the HomePod mini is now Apple's sole available speaker following the discontinuation of the HomePod.

Apple needs to market higher-end wireless smart speakers. Heck buy Sonus or some other company and actually care about audio reproduction. All the Beats speakers are discontinued now.