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Apple Discontinues Full-Sized HomePod to Focus on HomePod Mini
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For those disheartened by the discontinuation of the big HomePod, I'm thinking that this is just step one of a wider plan for the HomePod brand as a whole.
Here's my two cents:
For Apple, the HomePod mini serves as a 'reset' of the HomePod brand.
They're probably looking at the lacklustre performance (by Apple standards that is) of the original HomePod, as great as a product it likely was, and realising they made a few mistakes when it came to marketing it. Therefore I reckon HomePod mini serves as a step back and a fresh start.
Let's face it, most consumers just didn't want to spend that amount of money on an Apple smart speaker when, at that time, Apple had never ventured into the smart-speaker market before. Amazon and Google had pipped them to the post with far more accessible products, and Apple most likely hoped their brand power and sound quality would pull them through. Sadly, it doesn't look like it did.
IMO Apple should have released the HomePod mini first, as the 'regular' HomePod, and then the larger HomePod later on (probably marketed as a 'pro' or 'max' model). They most likely realise this now.
Think of it this way:
Let's say, for example, Apple released the AirPods Max in 2016 as opposed to the 'regular' version we got. People would scoff and say there's not a chance in hell they'd pay that much for a pair of bluetooth headphones.
Apple didn't do this, however. As far as AirPods were concerned they were very smart: release the entry level model first, make it great, make people fall in love with it and want more. Then give them more. Give them the Pro, give them the Max, and they'll lap it up because by that time the AirPods brand will have enough momentum going that people won't mind spending over $500 on a pair of headphones. They won't just be any old headphones after all. They'll be 'AirPods' and that matters hell of a lot.
If the HomePod mini really is as big of a hit as they say it is, expect them to release a few more revisions of it, making it more popular as they go along. Then, like the AirPods, expect to see 'Pro' or 'Max' models, effectively filling the void left by the discontinuation of the big HomePod we've had up till now. I reckon these hypothetical 'Pro' models will end up being far more successful then, because they'll have a strong level of customer loyalty with the HomePod mini, and a lot of momentum to push them forward (like with the AirPods).
EDIT: The more I think of this, the more I think of myself as a suitable example to illustrate my point above. I never had an original HomePod - my first HomePod was the mini. I never even entertained the thought of getting a HomePod, and that's despite being deep in the Apple ecosystem for over ten years. The price was just too high for something I wasn't sure I was going to use to it's full potential.
When the HomePod mini was announced, the £99 price tag was just right. It was cheap enough for me to 'dip my toe in' so to speak. Once I got the HomePod mini, I loved it that much that I had every intention of getting the big HomePod - a product I'd previously written off suddenly came into the centre of my radar.
I was waiting for the HomePod to get refreshed first, knowing the original was getting long in the tooth. We know now that's not gonna happen, but if Apple later announce a 'HomePod Pro' or 'Max' I'll be right on it. And none of that would have been the case if not for the mini.
I'm sure the above scenario will be similar for a lot of consumers.
Here's my two cents:
For Apple, the HomePod mini serves as a 'reset' of the HomePod brand.
They're probably looking at the lacklustre performance (by Apple standards that is) of the original HomePod, as great as a product it likely was, and realising they made a few mistakes when it came to marketing it. Therefore I reckon HomePod mini serves as a step back and a fresh start.
Let's face it, most consumers just didn't want to spend that amount of money on an Apple smart speaker when, at that time, Apple had never ventured into the smart-speaker market before. Amazon and Google had pipped them to the post with far more accessible products, and Apple most likely hoped their brand power and sound quality would pull them through. Sadly, it doesn't look like it did.
IMO Apple should have released the HomePod mini first, as the 'regular' HomePod, and then the larger HomePod later on (probably marketed as a 'pro' or 'max' model). They most likely realise this now.
Think of it this way:
Let's say, for example, Apple released the AirPods Max in 2016 as opposed to the 'regular' version we got. People would scoff and say there's not a chance in hell they'd pay that much for a pair of bluetooth headphones.
Apple didn't do this, however. As far as AirPods were concerned they were very smart: release the entry level model first, make it great, make people fall in love with it and want more. Then give them more. Give them the Pro, give them the Max, and they'll lap it up because by that time the AirPods brand will have enough momentum going that people won't mind spending over $500 on a pair of headphones. They won't just be any old headphones after all. They'll be 'AirPods' and that matters hell of a lot.
If the HomePod mini really is as big of a hit as they say it is, expect them to release a few more revisions of it, making it more popular as they go along. Then, like the AirPods, expect to see 'Pro' or 'Max' models, effectively filling the void left by the discontinuation of the big HomePod we've had up till now. I reckon these hypothetical 'Pro' models will end up being far more successful then, because they'll have a strong level of customer loyalty with the HomePod mini, and a lot of momentum to push them forward (like with the AirPods).
EDIT: The more I think of this, the more I think of myself as a suitable example to illustrate my point above. I never had an original HomePod - my first HomePod was the mini. I never even entertained the thought of getting a HomePod, and that's despite being deep in the Apple ecosystem for over ten years. The price was just too high for something I wasn't sure I was going to use to it's full potential.
When the HomePod mini was announced, the £99 price tag was just right. It was cheap enough for me to 'dip my toe in' so to speak. Once I got the HomePod mini, I loved it that much that I had every intention of getting the big HomePod - a product I'd previously written off suddenly came into the centre of my radar.
I was waiting for the HomePod to get refreshed first, knowing the original was getting long in the tooth. We know now that's not gonna happen, but if Apple later announce a 'HomePod Pro' or 'Max' I'll be right on it. And none of that would have been the case if not for the mini.
I'm sure the above scenario will be similar for a lot of consumers.
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But they aren’t using the same SOC. HomePod uses an A8 from 2014 and HomePod Mini uses an S5 from 2019. I’d guess the HomePod will receive updates for as long as the Apple TV HD (still being sold) does. Both Apple TV and HomePod run tvOS. Once they drop support for the A8 Apple TV HD, HomePod is likely dead as well.
As long as 10-20 years from now I can still AirPlay to it, I’ll be fine. I’m sure as security certificates expire, Siri will stop working as well. Remember the 2007 Apple TV and 2007 iPhone can no longer connect to Apple’s servers due to expired security certificates.
If betting on the length of useful lifetime...I'd take the "under"
Wow! Really surprised by this. Can't believe Apple doesn't have plans for a 200-250$ full size speaker.
HomePod was definitely too high but the sound quality was way better than competition
HomePod was definitely too high but the sound quality was way better than competition
You’re thinking way too hard...none of that will happen
For as long as Apple supports AirPlay, the HomePod will also work like wireless speakers with extra perks compares to Bluetooth. Android phones also has an app to stream with AirPlay. Impractical, but doable.
Even my 5 years old Marantz receiver with AirPlay 1.0 works just fine whenever I need a quick stream. Yep it’s unfortunate but it will work as a basic network streamer after Apple unplug the software updates.
Moral of the story would be; unless you can buy a separated dongles or set top box stay away from “smart-audio” products!
I have a JBL Authentics L8, does AirPlay (1.0), Bluetooth, and analog+TOSlink in. I'll still be using this speaker years after AirPods have become paperweights because tech has moved on.
Love my HomePod mini, use it as my bathroom speaker when I shower.
True, for as long as it doesn’t have built-in battery, it should keep going for much much longer.
One assumes there will be another higher end speaker coming out soon or they are going to handing all that money over to amazon and their Echo Hifi.
I hope they will release a new one... They just need to update the hardware and maybe a small price cut.
I really like the sound of the HomePod.
I really like the sound of the HomePod.
Because Apple is going to come out and say, "Yeah, it's really under performing."
You've just seen the closest thing to an official statement that it wasn't selling well that you'll ever get.
Always announce bad news on a Friday evening. The stock market and news won't notice it...much.
I really like my pair and think they were worth it. Hope they last another decade.
I really like my pair and think they were worth it. Hope they last another decade.
The timing of this announcement makes me go hmm. 🤔
I wonder how this will relate to the tv that will presumably be announced later this month.
I wonder how this will relate to the tv that will presumably be announced later this month.
If they are truly cutting an underperforming dog product, the stock market/investors should be pleased actually.
I’ve got one that I bought on sale at Best Buy. I like the Sonos Move I have better. Can’t really tell a sound difference. Don’t care much about Siri or HomeKit.
TV could also be in danger. Especially since nowadays all TVs have built-in software (albeit suck). I can see how tv becomes obsolete because unlike iPad or Watch, tv’s hardware updates are pretty scarce.
But they sell shredded wheat which is like a giant unfrosted mini-wheat. And they sell unfrosted mini-wheats.
Unless this changes (no mini Home Theater Audio) Apply lost their minds. Doubt it will go down as stated.
Here's what you need
- An Apple TV 4K updated to the latest software.
- One or two HomePod speakers* updated to the latest software.
- An iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch updated to the latest software.
No ... as long as A) Apple has their own streaming service to run along side streaming hardware and B) TVs built in software is proprietary and not easily upgradable, third-party streaming boxes are going to be necessary. Apple has a premium box to be sure, and could be served by an entry level device, but that's not the level they play at.
(Once Roku gets into MORE TVs, and LG licenses WebOS into MORE devices, that will begin to lower the need for third-party boxes ... but not to the point of eliminating them).
Well I don’t think a company like Apple will want to make something like that official, at least not directly, but it has been said by plenty of people on the field I guess, but even the Apple news sites themselves have reported about it too so there has been assumption for some time original HomePod hasn’t sold well and I believe that, especially since HomePod Mini is doi
and the Mini 4 and the A8X iPad Air 2 as well since they are still supported 😊
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