Apple Discontinues Full-Sized HomePod to Focus on HomePod Mini

[MacRumors]

Apple has discontinued the standard HomePod to focus exclusively on the HomePod mini, reports TechCrunch. First introduced four years ago, Apple's larger HomePod has never sold well because of its high price tag.

Apple hoped that the HomePod's high-quality sound would give it an edge over competing products, but sales of the HomePod have always been lackluster with so many more affordable options on the market. Apple has been selling the HomePod for $299, but it was originally priced at $350. The HomePod mini is available for $99.

The HomePod mini offers all of the features of the HomePod in a smaller and less expensive package. Many reviews praised the HomePod mini for its sound quality relative to its size, and while it won't quite match the sound available from the HomePod, it features the same Siri integration, Apple Music support, and HomeKit controls.

In a statement, Apple said that the HomePod will continue to be available while supplies last through the Apple Online Store and Apple retail stores.

HomePod mini has been a hit since its debut last fall, offering customers amazing sound, an intelligent assistant, and smart home control all for just $99. We are focusing our efforts on HomePod mini. We are discontinuing the original HomePod, it will continue to be available while supplies last through the Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple will provide HomePod customers with software updates and service and support through Apple Care.

On Thursday, many tech sites noticed that the full-sized space gray HomePod was out of stock in the United States, but it was believed to be just a stock shortage. As it turns out, it was because Apple no longer plans to sell the HomePod.

The space gray HomePod can likely be purchased from third-party retailers, but it is no longer available from Apple, while the HomePod in white continues to be available for purchase as of right now.


Article Link: Apple Discontinues Full-Sized HomePod to Focus on HomePod Mini

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I highly doubt this, mainly due to the name. If there’s just a HomePod mini, that’s kind of stupid.
That would be like them discontinuing the regular iPad, and all the other iPads, but keeping around an iPad mini.
But not completely unexpected

 

[MacBird]

That is unfortunate, I have two stereo pairs and really like them.

 

[zahuh]

RIP big guy. Tell iPod Hi-Fi we said hi!

 

[DiamondarBoss]

They’ve done the whole “While Supplies Last” thing.

 

[appleguy123]

I highly doubt this, mainly due to the name. If there’s just a HomePod mini, that’s kind of stupid.
That would be like them discontinuing the regular iPad, and all the other iPads, but keeping around an iPad mini.
But not completely unexpected

Apple discontinued the MacBook to focus on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Apple discontinued the classic iPod before the rest of the iPod line as well.

 

[firewire9000]

That’s extremely sad. ((

 

[appleguy123]

I’ll pick of more of these if they go on sale. The sound is great and the integration with iOS is as well.

 

[kalafalas]

I absolutely LOVE my HomePod. Such a wonderful and incredible sounding kitchen speaker. Siri is just ok, but I keep it simple to home control and timers and she doesn’t miss for that. I only hope this means a HomePod 2 is in the future with a newer chip etc, I would have already replaced the 3 airport express’s in my house with HomePod minis if they only had a headphone jack, which will never happen but I can dream. They sound good for the size but will never replace my jbl bookshelf speakers, but a large HomePod 2 might.

 

[tomtendo]

Terrible decision IF true. I have 2 HomePod Minis and 2 HomePod [regulars]. I use them daily.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Apple discontinued the MacBook to focus on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Apple discontinued the classic iPod before the rest of the iPod line as well.

Yes, but none of those were mini. MacBook Air and MacBook Pro makes sense. Ones for light and thin, and ones for professional use. If there were only one around, it would make less sense.
meanwhile, having a singular product called “mini” while not having a bigger version of it seems very stupid.

 

[greenbreadmmm]

I imagine this means an Apple TV refresh is finally happening.

 

[SuperMatt]

They put some serious effort into promoting the mini:

But I didn’t know they’d kill the full-size one…

 

[InGen]

Please buy Bose and integrate their patents into a new range of portable speakers and home audio

 

[JamonBull]

This is sad. Devastating for me really. I have a stereo pair attached to my TV and couldn't be happier with the sound quality and the way they work with my Apple TV 4K. I don't understand why Apple don't just keep them around and update the internals. I absolutely love being able to play, pause, rewind, raise and lower volume etc. using Siri on my HomePods. It's a sad day!

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I’m just trying to imagine how this interaction is going to go with Apple store customers.
employee: “well we have the HomePod mini.”
customer: “well is there a bigger version?“
employee: “well, not anymore.“
customer: “then why is it called Minnie?”
employee: “Because at one time there was a bigger version, but not anymore.“

 

[Runs For Fun]

Not a good move IMO. The HomePod sounds way, way better than the Mini and not having a high quality audio option is going to hurt.

 

[SuperMatt]

I’m just trying to imagine how this interaction is going to go with Apple store customers.
employee: “well we have the HomePod mini.”
customer: “well is there a bigger version?“
employee: “well, not anymore.“
customer: “then why is it called Minnie?”
employee: “Because at one time there was a bigger version, but not anymore.“

Kind of like Kellogg’s frosted mini-wheats. They don’t sell frosted “big wheats” anywhere that I know of.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Why would they discontinue the HomePod when they just rolled out with Dolby Atmos. The HomePod is the only one with the theater sound is the HomePod. That’s not a very smart move on Apples part.

 

[TheDailyApple]

I expect they'll release a hi-end HomePod (i.e. HomePod Max) which will essentially be a replacement for the original HomePod and make the mini the standard model.

No change overall, but better marketing. The original HomePod might have been worth its price, but releasing it first and marketing it as the standard model put it in competition with the Amazon's Echo and Google's Nest instead of it's true competitors like Sonos.

 

[sniffies]

If they do, they will rename HomePod mini as HomePod

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

That is unfortunate, I have two stereo pairs and really like them.

Yeah it’s very unfortunate.

 

[farewelwilliams]

will be annoying if they stopped homekit support. i would have to DOWNGRADE the big HomePods to use the HomePod mini for my security cameras and smart lights.

 

[kage207]

My problem is that Siri isn’t good. Otherwise, I’d buy one.

 

[cmaier]

Not a good move IMO. The HomePod sounds way, way better than the Mini and not having a high quality audio option is going to hurt.

If nobody is buying them, it’s a good move