Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Drops HomePod Price to $299, Down From $349
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I never get why people complain about it. Works perfectly for me but then again I speak correctly
And with the ability to add custom commands with workflow it's fantastic.
$299 is a great price and what Apple should’ve done from the start; it looks nicer in print.
From knowing a lot of non-tec people; I think Apples problem is that people don’t know or appreciate the value that HomePod offers.
If interested in a smart speaker, that many at best have heard about or maybe seen some “Google Speaker” offer for free, the regular user will go for the cheaper option. The HiFi feature (that HomePod does quite amazing) isn’t a selling point to many people.
Apple would’ve been smart by launching a small “puck” version at a lower price to show people that Apple have smart speakers. The upsell to the regular HomePod would then also be easier.
Also, I think a mini version of the HomePod would look absolutely amazing!
From knowing a lot of non-tec people; I think Apples problem is that people don’t know or appreciate the value that HomePod offers.
If interested in a smart speaker, that many at best have heard about or maybe seen some “Google Speaker” offer for free, the regular user will go for the cheaper option. The HiFi feature (that HomePod does quite amazing) isn’t a selling point to many people.
Apple would’ve been smart by launching a small “puck” version at a lower price to show people that Apple have smart speakers. The upsell to the regular HomePod would then also be easier.
Also, I think a mini version of the HomePod would look absolutely amazing!
Or more signs of Trade tariffs and economic shifts and selling more units at a lower cost to increase the User Base. Possible under hood cost savings too.
But you know more apparently.
While I am definetly not the target audience for this it is a nice move, still my Google Home sounds great (for the price point that is) and won't lock me into any ecosystem wich is a great plus.
Not spending that kind of money for something that works with exclusively with Apple Devices and Services.
Open it up and I might consider.
Not spending that kind of money for something that works with exclusively with Apple Devices and Services.
Open it up and I might consider.
Last edited:
I never get why people complain about it. Works perfectly for me but then again I speak correctly
And with the ability to add custom commands with workflow it's fantastic.
So do I & Siri is absolutely hopeless for me. Using CarPlay today I advised some people I was stuck in traffic & was going to be 10-15 mins late. Siri translated it to 1500 mins. WTF? You almost have to talk in an unnatural robotic manner for it to understand.
Meanwhile, Cortana, Alexa & Google all work flawlessly.
I love mine (and bought it as a treat for myself knowing it was expensive). I’d love a second for a different room but even with this price drop in Australia it’s still means we’re paying the equivalent or $335usd ($469aud). Great device and fingers crossed for some tax rebate so I can buy another in the future but really hoping they bring it down to $399aud (or lower)
A well-reasoned comment. Given the opening up of Airplay2 onto TVs and Homekit requiring only a simple software certification - I wouldn't be surprised to see it become useable as a Bluetooth speaker - which it should have been from day 1 really and they would have sold more.
Can't say I'd like Google listening in though. Their T&C for mic use is sketchy at best.
That will never happen, but they could add software controls for this.
Beat me to it. They are slotting this as Vizio is doing their betas now.
Surround home audio will come next and the best part is no wires! I’ve done the home theater set up extravaganza. Those days are long gone and simplicity is where it’s at
Interesting story. I just tried that sentence and it came up fine "I am stuck in traffic and I am going to be 10 to 15 mins late". Perfect first time and the 3 more times with slight variations.
Can't actually force it in any way to become 1500.
I understand, but I really have no problem with Google, I mean at the end of the day, we will soon have mic on houses anyway, and from different vendors (Smart TV, home hubs and many more gadgets) so really, we won't be able to control everything.
Do I believe the Apple "privacy" battle? Not really, I mean they are not selling data, but still collecting them, and when their HW division won't make any money (if ever) they might consider selling data then, who knows.
When money (and not exclusively) is involved, trust no one (that includes Apple).
Sorry Apple, but the speakers not the problem, the useless Siri you’ve stuck in it is! And it still won’t sell well till you fix it!
Love both of mine. Well worth the money.
Siri works great for me as does HomeKit.
Siri works great for me as does HomeKit.
I had to talk slow like I was a bit simple for it to understand. Hopeless.
I got mine on sale for $249 around the holidays and absolutely love it. I feel like if it went on sale for even less than that now it should be a no brainer for anyone in the ecosystem looking for a quality speaker.
True, something they could implement on the touch panel. Till then I guess I'll stick with my Denon system
Last edited:
299 from Bose won't lock you into using only one brand device/service, again, while the price reduction is welcome, Homepod as it is is only a good ecosystem locking device.
I know Apple won't lose sleep over my choice to sidestep HomePod but they missed the boat for me. I've just kitted the house out in Sonos. Great sound, more choice, more flexible, better voice assistant, equal design quality and better price point.
If HomePod had been £200 I'd have considered putting it in every room.
If HomePod had been £200 I'd have considered putting it in every room.