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If Siri wasn’t a POS, maybe. But it is and better sound quality can be had for a lower price point as well as cross platform compatibility.

The Google Home Max is $400, has worse sound quality, and kills your WiFi. Apparently the AUX doesn’t work properly either.

You get all that for an extra $50.
 
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Exactly.

The paranoia in some of the comments I read is off the charts.

I think Apple could probably double their annual revenue if they sold rolls of heavy duty tinfoil. :rolleyes:

I am not paranoid, I have ordered a HomePod and already have Macs, iPhones, iPods, iPads, AirPods, Amazon Echo, and even a Samsung TV remote all with microphones in. I am however aware of the opportunity that these present the vendor or third parties to exploit their capabilities to listen in. Personally I accept this possibility as the benefits outweigh it. I was merely amused at the prospect of paying for a device that would enable an employer to listen in on me. I don't imagine for a moment that Apple would actually do that, but I know some of my past employers would have done if they had had the facility. I am self employed now!
 
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Apple used to outright give employees products. Now, they have hundreds of billions more in the bank then they ever did when they issued free iPods and first-generation iPhones, yet still treat their employees like trash.
How about you start a business and in turn give away any product that an employee etc. feels that they are entitled to, just because they breathe air at your business.

Fifty percent discount is a generous discount. Nothing close to treating people like trash.
 
The Google Home Max is $400, has worse sound quality, and kills your WiFi. Apparently the AUX doesn’t work properly either.

You get all that for an extra $50.

Wouldn’t surprise me if the google home max was a POS too. I guess at least they got Apple beat on the virtual assistant side of things. Either way, wouldn’t buy one.
 
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Wouldn’t surprise me if the google home max was a POS too. I guess at least they got Apple beat on the virtual assistant side of things. Either way, wouldn’t buy one.
Home Max suffers from wifi and latency issues. Just google it.
 
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I am not paranoid, I have ordered a HomePod and already have Macs, iPhones, iPods, iPads, AirPods, Amazon Echo, and even a Samsung TV remote all with microphones in. I am however aware of the opportunity that these present the vendor or third parties to exploit their capabilities to listen in. Personally I accept this possibility as the benefits outweigh it. I was merely amused at the prospect of paying for a device that would enable an employer to listen in on me. I don't imagine for a moment that Apple would actually do that, but I know some of my past employers would have done if they had had the facility. I am self employed now!

Understood. That said, I’ve heard more than enough paranoid ramblings about devices like this that I felt compelled to address the general sentiment, even if it doesn’t apply to you personally.

Enjoy your Home Pod! I know I will mine. :):)
 
I am not paranoid, I have ordered a HomePod and already have Macs, iPhones, iPods, iPads, AirPods, Amazon Echo, and even a Samsung TV remote all with microphones in. I am however aware of the opportunity that these present the vendor or third parties to exploit their capabilities to listen in. Personally I accept this possibility as the benefits outweigh it. I was merely amused at the prospect of paying for a device that would enable an employer to listen in on me. I don't imagine for a moment that Apple would actually do that, but I know some of my past employers would have done if they had had the facility. I am self employed now!

I trust Apple more than the other companies offering these virtual assistance products, but I honestly feel having such a device in my home would be a primary target for a bad actor to gather data on people. There are too many devices collecting too much information, and in most cases, not disclosing it. The Roomba is a good example. Also, too many devices gather your WLAN AP MAC address and use it to crowdsource location information without your permission. As far as trusting Google, I am not trusting an advertising and marketing company that tracks one’s online activities to profile them and use them as a product. I would use a Windows phone over an Android any day. Too bad Blackberry is not advancing the development of their OS, as it could be a viable alternative if one was looking for a secure, business-only device.
 
Oh. I do remember the free iPhone thing. Having worked at and been an apple fanboy / press member since 1999, the free iPhone thing is the only time I've seen that happen. Even when the iPod Shuffle came out, Apple employees had to wear them but weren't given them.There's been the F&F and employee discounts for years and are very limited (3 computers per year). Apple has always been pretty stingy in that regards. Free iPhone was truly a one time thing.

Actually, They used to give iPods to all new employees, everyone (including retail)got an iPhone (and there were in excess of 90 stores by then), they DID give everyone the original white shuffle with the lanyard strap, and they gave all their retail employees a square metal shuffle as well. That was the last "free thing" they gave, and then they gave 200GB iCloud accounts and a year of Apple Music.
 
I probably won't get one. Right now when I say "Hey Siri, play (whatever) song", 6 devices start playing it and it takes me 20 minutes to shut off the ones I didn't mean to start.
 
That should apply to everything for Apple employees. Although....
Apple store manager to new employee on new product launch day: Welcome to Apple.
New employee: Can you ring this up for me?
Store manager: Ok
New employee: See ya. I quit.
 
Apple used to outright give employees products. Now, they have hundreds of billions more in the bank then they ever did when they issued free iPods and first-generation iPhones, yet still treat their employees like trash.

Apple doesn’t have to give there employees anything. Why do you feel like just cause you work for someone you’re entitled to free stuff.

Apple has hundreds of billions more but also have hundreds more staff.
 
The Google Home Max is $400, has worse sound quality, and kills your WiFi. Apparently the AUX doesn’t work properly either.

You get all that for an extra $50.

I understand the recent WiFi issue has now been fixed.

But WOW, you have both the Apple Home Pod and Google Max yourself already.
Can you tell us more about how you find they compare with each other sound wise?

Thanks.
 
Can’t believe the comments here. This is clearly a desperate move to popularize the device because they don’t think it will sell well.

Clearly.

Let me add an ounce of reality: why would they launch a product they “don’t think will sell well”?
 
It will be very interesting, I'm sure everyone would agree if, at time goes on they open this device up more.
Allow it to be usable as a "Smart Speaker" from other devices (Android)
Be able to access other Music Services, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Play Music etc.
And have proper Bluetooth Support so you can play music on it from any industry standard Bluetooth device.

It's Apple being normal Apple right now.
Do you think they will open it up so ANYONE could buy it and use it, as time goes on ?
 
I have worked for Apple since 2008, and have never received a free apple product. I did get 50% off my watch however. All my apple products and accessories I have had to pay for myself. I get 27% in 1 computer a year, and 17 on up to 10 computers for Friends and Family (but I have to pay tax on the discounts). I have had over time a free blanket, free t-shirts (about 3), a rucksack, a water bottle, and a printed Credo. We were once given a fleece for Christmas and told it was only for private use, not in store but 2 years later we were told we could only wear it at work and not private. Occasionally there are internal competitions and over that I have had a thermal bag and a couple if iPhone cases. If you are very lucky, the store manager can make a gift card award over Hallmark. I have had that twice.

I will probably use the 50% for the homepod if it is still an option when it comes to my market. A few people in store have had a homepod for a while for internal testing, all under a NDA of course.
 
Apple used to outright give employees products. Now, they have hundreds of billions more in the bank then they ever did when they issued free iPods and first-generation iPhones, yet still treat their employees like trash.
until you gotta work for Apple you'd never now what happens internally ) (from an apple employee) is best retail ever you'll work for ;)
 
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