They only had one production run of HomePods. If you buy a HomePod today, the serial number will show a late 2017 or early 2018 manufacturing date. Who knows if the A8 is still being produced or if they have a bunch of them laying around.
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Apple Discontinues Full-Sized HomePod to Focus on HomePod Mini
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After what Sonos pulled a while back with discontinuing one of their speakers, I would be hesitant in the future to buy a smart speaker.
My iPad 2 lasted 9 years, my phones 4 to 6 years…I would expect a HomePod to last and be supported for 20 years.
Apple should replace the HomePod with a soundbar that integrates with AppleTV to encourage people to use it a multimedia system for listening to music and/or watching video.
Then replace the HomePod mini with a speaker that has a screen. Perfect for using in the kitchen, bedroom, home office, etc.
Then replace the HomePod mini with a speaker that has a screen. Perfect for using in the kitchen, bedroom, home office, etc.
The HomePod mini is extremely good and the HomePod kind of missed the mark regardless of technical prowess. It was taking on things like the Sonos move but without the flexibility. It wasn’t really right for home theatre either.
I am disappointed if they solely focus on the mini though. I really was hoping they’d treat it like what it was, an MVP1 in need of a new iteration.
I am disappointed if they solely focus on the mini though. I really was hoping they’d treat it like what it was, an MVP1 in need of a new iteration.
Are you referring to the products they stopped supporting?
If so they were all between ten and fourteen years old.
Not a single chance these Homepods get support for 20 years either
That there would be a smaller version of the HomePod didn’t require a genius to figure out but I expected them to keep two versions on the market. They dipped their toes in the speaker market with the 1st version, learned from it and released the mini. Then release a HomePod 2 with the improvements and slightly lower price.
Throughout the history of “hi fi” it has been demonstrated that the vast majority of buyers don’t give a fig about sound quality. And since the “big bass” revolution, it’s even more true.
This is one reason TV speakers are so bad and people consider a mediocre sound bar as a huge upgrade. It’s why automakers save $25-$100 by cheaping out on cheap stock speakers and amps paired with expensive touch screen head units.
As a volume consumer electronics company, Apple can’t waste time on a niche product. If it were just a souped up version of another product, like a maxed out iPad or iMac, then low volume is fine. But this product is a stand alone thing, and it isn’t worth it to them.
It’s also ugly.
This is one reason TV speakers are so bad and people consider a mediocre sound bar as a huge upgrade. It’s why automakers save $25-$100 by cheaping out on cheap stock speakers and amps paired with expensive touch screen head units.
As a volume consumer electronics company, Apple can’t waste time on a niche product. If it were just a souped up version of another product, like a maxed out iPad or iMac, then low volume is fine. But this product is a stand alone thing, and it isn’t worth it to them.
It’s also ugly.
But why? I fully understand why the HomePod mini is most likely selling better than the HomePod Big Boy. Most people would most likely by 2-3-4-5 of these and spread them around their house/apartment. Then both size and price become an important factor and things like sound fidelity and quality might not be the top priority in many of these rooms.
For many people sound fidelity and quality might not be an important factor regardless. So having the smaller and less expensive option is a given.
But why remove the bigger and better option? For me, the HomePod mini is not an option. It doesn't sound good enough so it forces me into considering other options. This seems rather silly.
And what will this mean for the HomePod Big Boy? Will it be end-of-sales, or are we talking end-of-life/end-of-support meaning it won't see enhancements and improvements to its software moving forward?
I have six HomePod Big Boys in my apartment. They are great. They replaced my Sonos system that mostly consists of Sonos Play 5's. The HomePod sounds better, it spreads audio better and it has better features. But I'm still waiting for Apple to make Siri work in my native language (Siri is working in my native language on iOS and has been for like five years or even longer, can't really remember when it arrived) and I suspect this will result in it never going to give me Siri in my native language on my HomePod's?
Perhaps Apple might consider a soundbar in the future but I would be rather sceptical about an Apple HomePod Soundbar as a device such as a soundbar needs to be compatible with various other devices. A soundbar can't be this awkward Apple walled garden devices like the HomePod is. I would need to be able to get Dolby Atmos from my Xbox Series X, from my Sony Playstation 5, Dobly Surround from my Nintendo Switch etc using my Apple HomePod Soundbar and knowing Apple I fear that this would not be the case. It would most likely work great with Apple Music, AirPlay and Apple TV but have silly limitations when used with anything else and that's just not cutting it for a soundbar.
I do also prefer to have separate music speakers in every room. This allows for ambient music while having something else on the TV. Often when I have friends over we end up playing party games on Nintendo Switch while we have music going on the HomePod. By relying on the soundbar and soundbar alone it becomes impossible to combine music and having audio from whatever is currently being displayed on the TV.
I don't regret my decision on purchases my HomePod Big Boys. But if this means Apple will suddenly drop all attention and improvements to the HomePod Big Boy I'm sure to regret it. The HomePod Big Boy was released in 2018. It's only 3 years old, it would go down in history as one of the least supported smart speakers. Apple has a track record of being the absolute best among the top players in the industry when it comes to supporting their products and enhancing them over time. If the HomePod Big Boy ends up left in the dust after three years while the HomePod mini continues on getting improvements it will be a really sad state of affairs and very unlike Apple.
At least come up with some kind of refinement of the HomePod Big Boy. Why would they only offer a small and inferior option? It's not like the AirPod's went away when the AirPods Pro came to market and having niche products doesn't seem to be much of a problem considering the AirPods Max exists.
For many people sound fidelity and quality might not be an important factor regardless. So having the smaller and less expensive option is a given.
But why remove the bigger and better option? For me, the HomePod mini is not an option. It doesn't sound good enough so it forces me into considering other options. This seems rather silly.
And what will this mean for the HomePod Big Boy? Will it be end-of-sales, or are we talking end-of-life/end-of-support meaning it won't see enhancements and improvements to its software moving forward?
I have six HomePod Big Boys in my apartment. They are great. They replaced my Sonos system that mostly consists of Sonos Play 5's. The HomePod sounds better, it spreads audio better and it has better features. But I'm still waiting for Apple to make Siri work in my native language (Siri is working in my native language on iOS and has been for like five years or even longer, can't really remember when it arrived) and I suspect this will result in it never going to give me Siri in my native language on my HomePod's?
Perhaps Apple might consider a soundbar in the future but I would be rather sceptical about an Apple HomePod Soundbar as a device such as a soundbar needs to be compatible with various other devices. A soundbar can't be this awkward Apple walled garden devices like the HomePod is. I would need to be able to get Dolby Atmos from my Xbox Series X, from my Sony Playstation 5, Dobly Surround from my Nintendo Switch etc using my Apple HomePod Soundbar and knowing Apple I fear that this would not be the case. It would most likely work great with Apple Music, AirPlay and Apple TV but have silly limitations when used with anything else and that's just not cutting it for a soundbar.
I do also prefer to have separate music speakers in every room. This allows for ambient music while having something else on the TV. Often when I have friends over we end up playing party games on Nintendo Switch while we have music going on the HomePod. By relying on the soundbar and soundbar alone it becomes impossible to combine music and having audio from whatever is currently being displayed on the TV.
I don't regret my decision on purchases my HomePod Big Boys. But if this means Apple will suddenly drop all attention and improvements to the HomePod Big Boy I'm sure to regret it. The HomePod Big Boy was released in 2018. It's only 3 years old, it would go down in history as one of the least supported smart speakers. Apple has a track record of being the absolute best among the top players in the industry when it comes to supporting their products and enhancing them over time. If the HomePod Big Boy ends up left in the dust after three years while the HomePod mini continues on getting improvements it will be a really sad state of affairs and very unlike Apple.
At least come up with some kind of refinement of the HomePod Big Boy. Why would they only offer a small and inferior option? It's not like the AirPod's went away when the AirPods Pro came to market and having niche products doesn't seem to be much of a problem considering the AirPods Max exists.
So why did they just release the AirPods Max? Its pricepoint should be even more niche compared to the HomePod Big Boy. So if it was indeed the case that Apple can't bother with niche high-priced audio products that try to aim for better audio quality then the AirPods Max should never exist. But it does and it was released a mere three-four months ago.
not everybody wants a sound bar. Plus a soundbar projects sound in 1 direction, the HomePod does not - THAT is the point of the HomePod.
oh man, I was burned by Sonos regarding the Play:1. Sonos stated that AirPlay would be supported, 6 mtgs later with forums (here & on Sonos) asking specifically if AirPlay 1 would be coming, no specific definitive answer just round about talk by Sonos. Apple debuted the AirPlay 2 protocol and still nothing by Sonos. A year after their initial announcement Sonos says AirPlay 2 would be coming BUT with a new speaker - Play One!
Play One I purchased, and no difference in sound quality so it was refunded in 10 days.
reluctantly purchased a used HomePod and BOOM twice as more powerful in volume, clarity, sound stage I’m very happy with my decision!
Sonos Move cannot compete with the sound quality of the HomePod - it doesn’t support Dolby Atmos.
The move is better suited as a portable boom box like that of JBL’s Extreme 2.
@I7guy specifically stated under 10yrs for iPad and iPhone, why are you reaching with 20yrs support by Apple for HomePod? Just ridiculous.
that said the Apple HiFi STILL works well as a Speaker. HomePod is a speaker first and foremost NOT an assistant first and speaker second like so many google and Alexa speakers. Therein lies the difference and unfortunately too many previous and potential customers and Apple fans misunderstood. Apple made it clear but hey people have their own expectations.
if you live in a Condo or an Apartment under 800 Sq-Ft the HomePod rocks ... I have 1 and it’s loud! I’ve never played it louder than 30% because neighbours complain - and I’m at the very END of the hallway (staircase and 1 direct neighbour). It’s in the same room as my PC WFH setup and even at 5% it’s too loud so HomePod mini will be used as background music. Lol.
The major killers of the HomePod/HomePod Mini - especially when competing with Sonos’ is:
1. limitation of 1 pair per room!!
would be great to use 2 HomePods + 2 HomePod Minis for a surround experience in 1 room or more across your living space.
2. They’re too focused on Apple only synergy. The competition focuses on seemless compatibility with any smartphone platform and streaming music services. Apple screwed up major on this latter part.
3. Apple MUST in any future speaker product of the HomePod OG size to allow various music source inputs. Heck bring back a powerful AirPort Express which included built in amplifier and allows analog input from record players home hIFi systems.
I really miss listening to vinyl and as I’m getting more mature I really want to listen to Motown LP classics, Jazz and Blues.
This shouldn't really matter. This stuff happens all the time. SoC goes end-of-life all the time or manufactures decides to use different SoC's do to price and efficiency. That's why you will see that popular consumer devices tend to have at least 3-4-5 revisions of the same product. And the only differences are slight differences to various SoC's and controllers within the product but the overall product is still looking and behaving the same so it doesn't get a new design, name or anything. If the Apple A8 is end-of-production, just replace it whatever makes the most sense and release a new revision of the product.
The fact that I (and most others) don't have both is the reason they're being discontinued!
What they need to do is very simple. Make another larger better sounding HomePod, but much less expensive.
Anyone with half a brain knew the HomePod pricing was ridiculous from the get-go. I would've been more surprised if they actually kept selling this overpriced piece of trash.
Good question
When they nix them in 18-24 months, I guess we can revisit that whole saga also.
Apple works on most of their stuff for **years**, and thus it's hard to know where the wind is blowing with them simply based upon releases. I suspect some products release simply because they are "ready" after years of work -- somewhat irrespective of market fit or timing at that moment
Exactly, audio quality was the “wow” thing, but Siri was supposed to become the perfect life/home assistant (remember, you have an iphone, but phone is not the main functionality you use).
press F to pay respects for all of those (including myself) that sat out on multiple Best Buy $199 sales thinking a refresh was imminent.
I doubt this. Apple spends millions on R&D and a lot of that will be on products that never see the light of day. They wouldn’t release something just because they’d worked on it. They will only ever put out a product they believe fills a purpose on the market for them.
HomePod can be setup as a HomeKit hub. You know, one of the requirements of using a HomeKit security camera.
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However, as all things relating to History these days, soon, no one will remember there ever was such things.
20 years? Are you joking?
1) it's an electronic device. A few years TOPS.
2) No other input methods (physical jack or Bluetooth). Once Apple says they're done supporting it, it's a paperweight.
3) Guess you didn't read back:
This is one of the premier iOS developers out there right now who finds everything in the code for leaks.