Apple Hosting Live HomePod Question-and-Answer Event on July 25

[MacRumors]

Have a question about the HomePod?

Apple announced that it will be hosting a HomePod live event in its Support Communities on Wednesday, July 25, providing customers with an opportunity to ask Apple support representatives questions about the Siri-enabled speaker.

Specialists will be on hand between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Pacific Time, answering questions about a variety of topics in real time:

Discover how to make HomePod your own: use AirPlay 2, create a stereo pair, personalize your setup and settings, ask Siri, and more. During this live event, Apple HomePod Specialists will be available to help you get the most from your HomePod.

To participate in the event when it goes live, head to the HomePod Community on the Apple Support Communities, sign in to or create an Apple ID account, click Post > Discussion in the upper-right corner, and submit a question.

Specialists already monitor the Apple Support Communities, and occasionally answer questions, but this event should lead to faster answers.

It'll be interesting to see how this goes.

Article Link: Apple Hosting Live HomePod Question-and-Answer Event on July 25

 

[Traverse]

While I think this is a good think, it’s a bit unusual. I think it shows that the general community either isn’t sold on the device or really doesn’t understand more than its basic functionality.

I love my two (and really want a third), but it’s not super simple to manage. I think the home app I’m general is not very intuitive.

 

[kildraik]

Interesting. I hope they get some tough questions.

You know, over things that aren’t in the manual, such as why they bothered with the HomePod’s development in the first place.

Joking aside, they do sound great. Great product, just not for me.

 

[bmustaf]

If they can answer the question of "How the hell is my HomePod/Siri so damn stupid?" I will be satisfied.

I have a HomePod sitting next to an Echo show. I always *want* to use the HomePod because the microphones and speaker are so far superior, but what good is being heard and hearing great audio back when it's never what you asked for and usually "Sorry, I can't do that on HomePod".

 

[wigby]

If they can answer the question of "How the hell is my HomePod/Siri so damn stupid?" I will be satisfied.

I have a HomePod sitting next to an Echo show. I always *want* to use the HomePod because the microphones and speaker are so far superior, but what good is being heard and hearing great audio back when it's never what you asked for and usually "Sorry, I can't do that on HomePod".

What are you asking HomePod to do? I've rarely had a misfire when asking for any music, timers, and general trivia questions.

 

[kstotlani]

Isn’t it ironic that you have to ask human beings about how to use a device powered by artificial intelligence.

 

[busyscott]

Ya, I have a lot of questions. Number one: How dare you.

 

[jhudgins]

A Q&A would make more sense once Shortcuts is released with iOS 12. As is, what’s so difficult to understand about the HomePod?

 

[Cmbqwerty79]

I actually really like my HomePod. Looking forward to eventually getting a second one to pair them.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

The responses here aren't surprising, but really, people, what are you expecting, an interview with Craig Federighi?

Shouldn't it be obvious that it's an extension of the sessions offered at the Apple Stores? The point, as it is with any other session of this sort, is to help customers who own HomePods to get more enjoyment from them. That makes for happier customers who are more likely to buy and/or spread word of mouth about more Apple products.

If it's successful, then there are still more ways Apple's customers can interact with an Apple employee. This is especially nice if you don't happen to have a nearby Apple Store.

 

[Bswails]

I do hope this was something ordered by apples new AI chief...fingers crossed this time next year anything Siri related will be much improved..or at least on the way to much improved

 

[bmustaf]

Well, I wanted more than a $350 egg timer that sounds great (and frankly was promised better/more). But it IS an AAPL product so I probably should have known that $350 for an egg timer is considered "a great thing" in the Apple reality distortion field and that I'm the unreasonable one for actually wanting something more than a beautiful device that really doesn't do what others do.

1) Get me an answer about something simple (that alexa and google assistant fire on with pretty damn good reliability) like "Tell me about the paul manafort issue".

2) *ANY* third party app data/task that isn't HomeKit. Integrations/skills - totally lacking, SiriKit is a joke on iPhone, it's even more pathetic on HomePod. Alexa can drive all kinds of things remotely and on its own, while HomePod can't even set a reminder unless my iPhone is on the same WiFi network.

3) Like I finished with above, even Apple's OWN ecosystem of things can't/don't work on it unless there's an iPhone on the same network. Sometimes my phone is in my car, it's dead, I forgot it at the office or home, whatever.

But you are correct: It's a brilliant speaker, but that is all it is, a brilliant speaker. *ALTHOUGH* even in that, no Bluetooth pairing support? Really? Yeah, AP2 exists, it's quality is ostensibly better, but sometimes I have friends come over with Android devices who want to play stuff and AirPlay 2 adoption sucks, soooo, no cigar on the HomePod. Even myself, AirPlay 2 itself is pretty damn buggy esp in larger WiFi networks, there are times I *wish* playing music off my iPhone would just use normal BT and not all the fanciness (and attendant things that also can go wrong) with more complex protocols like AP2.

Apple's whole thing is "our **** just works" (at least for me). It's never the fastest (despite the claims/reality distortion field). It's never the most modern (cute, the MBP just got DDR4 and 32GB and still has a keyboard that doesn't work). But I still buy it and pay the premium because, like I said, it just works without much fuss.

I've had way too much fuss, "I'm sorry, I am useless" from Siri, etc on HomePod, and not nearly enough "wow, it does this really well to forgive these other things". But if all you need to do is say "hey play this play list", it's probably the best sounding speaker in that price range that does that in one box without a phone attached. But it's not a smart speaker.

What are you asking HomePod to do? I've rarely had a misfire when asking for any music, timers, and general trivia questions.

 

[mcdj]

One question.

Siriously?

 

[Kobayagi]

Oh man, you can bet your ass there is going to be trolling.

Apple really doesn’t want to get questions in uncontrolled areas. That’s why they only speak to reporters who are told what they may and may not ask about or biased YouTubers whose income depends on them being 100% nice about everything Apple.

And they especially don’t wanna start getting questions from a few of these whiney (but also often legitimate complaining ) MacRumor's forum members.

 

[Ploki]

Oh man, you can bet your ass there is going to be trolling.

Apple really doesn’t want to get questions in uncontrolled areas. That’s why they only speak to reporters who are told what they may and may not ask about or biased YouTubers whose income depends on them being 100% nice about everything Apple.

And they especially don’t wanna start getting questions from a few of these whiney (but also often legitimate complaining ) MacRumors’ forum members.

yeah i dont understand this either. its like walking into a firepit in your shorts.

 

[teejaysyke]

Maybe they can finally answer why my HomePod disappears on all my devices as an AirPlay option and the only thing that fixes it is unplugging it and replugging it back in. I've messed with the router settings. Apple gave me a new unit and everything and I cannot figure it out for the life of me and it's SOURING the experience that every day I have to unplug it and replug it back in just to AirPlay.

 

[Relentless Power]

I Think this is great concept. Not necessarily because it involves the HomePod, but because it allows the customer to have direct interaction with Apple sharing the ‘know-how’ with a new product like the HomePod to take full advantage of its features. Even with the Apple Watch, would be another helpful Q&A with all of its capabilities.

I don’t know if this is possible, but would it be helpful also if you could see the other questions that are posted from other HomePod users and what the responses from Apple.

 

[69Mustang]

Masochism. It's more than a word. It's a lifestyle.

-most likely tattooed somewhere on the Q&A host.

 

[MauiPa]

Well, I wanted more than a $350 egg timer that sounds great (and frankly was promised better/more). But it IS an AAPL product so I probably should have known that $350 for an egg timer is considered "a great thing" in the Apple reality distortion field and that I'm the unreasonable one for actually wanting something more than a beautiful device that really doesn't do what others do.

1) Get me an answer about something simple (that alexa and google assistant fire on with pretty damn good reliability) like "Tell me about the paul manafort issue".

2) *ANY* third party app data/task that isn't HomeKit. Integrations/skills - totally lacking, SiriKit is a joke on iPhone, it's even more pathetic on HomePod. Alexa can drive all kinds of things remotely and on its own, while HomePod can't even set a reminder unless my iPhone is on the same WiFi network.

3) Like I finished with above, even Apple's OWN ecosystem of things can't/don't work on it unless there's an iPhone on the same network. Sometimes my phone is in my car, it's dead, I forgot it at the office or home, whatever.

But you are correct: It's a brilliant speaker, but that is all it is, a brilliant speaker. *ALTHOUGH* even in that, no Bluetooth pairing support? Really? Yeah, AP2 exists, it's quality is ostensibly better, but sometimes I have friends come over with Android devices who want to play stuff and AirPlay 2 adoption sucks, soooo, no cigar on the HomePod. Even myself, AirPlay 2 itself is pretty damn buggy esp in larger WiFi networks, there are times I *wish* playing music off my iPhone would just use normal BT and not all the fanciness (and attendant things that also can go wrong) with more complex protocols like AP2.

Apple's whole thing is "our **** just works" (at least for me). It's never the fastest (despite the claims/reality distortion field). It's never the most modern (cute, the MBP just got DDR4 and 32GB and still has a keyboard that doesn't work). But I still buy it and pay the premium because, like I said, it just works without much fuss.

I've had way too much fuss, "I'm sorry, I am useless" from Siri, etc on HomePod, and not nearly enough "wow, it does this really well to forgive these other things". But if all you need to do is say "hey play this play list", it's probably the best sounding speaker in that price range that does that in one box without a phone attached. But it's not a smart speaker.

Maybe Alexa couldn't handle this query for you:

In regards to your ddr3 and 16 gb ram snark: see this thread https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Apple-still-using-LP-DDR3-in-their-MacBooks-instead-of-LP-DDR4

"Intel, which is at this point the only CPU manufacturer making CPU’s apple can use, only supports the following RAM standards on their laptop CPU’s:

DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133, DDR3L-1600

DDR4 is not available in a low-voltage (DDR4L) yet, normal DDR4 is bigger and uses more power, and DDR3L uses a lot more power and is slower than LPDDR3. Meaning LPDDR3 was pretty much the only option left. Also, running at 2133MHz with lower CAS latencies, the RAM in the current macbook pro’s scores on par if not better than budget DDR4 in most laptops.

Apple could have gone for DDR4–2400, but that generally uses 1.4V instead of ~1.2V,meaning the RAM uses close to 20% more power, takes more area on the logic board (meaning a thicker laptop or smaller battery) and the CAS latencies are usually worse on DDR4, meaning actual gains are minimal at best. The only real drawback of using LPDDR3 is the limitation of 16GB, which again is an intel issue."

If you search (don't know if Alexa can help), Dells low travel keyboard is also having issues similar to Apple's (ifixit forums). also, looking at benchmarks (Geekbench, those guys seem to know what they are doing), Apple computers do seem to be in the high range of the configured specs.

If your complaint is more you don't want thin, don't buy thin, Thin will have the same issues (soldered low voltage ram, thin keyboards, tight thermal tolerances) whether from Dell or apple or whomever. You know no one can change physics right?

 

[ike1707]

Isn’t it ironic that you have to ask human beings about how to use a device powered by artificial intelligence.

Intelligence, in this case, is a bit of a stretch I think

 

[Shanghaichica]

I Think this is great concept. Not necessarily because it involves the HomePod, but because it allows the customer to have direct interaction with Apple sharing the ‘know-how’ with a new product like the HomePod to take full advantage of its features. Even with the Apple Watch, would be another helpful Q&A with all of its capabilities.

I don’t know if this is possible, but would it be helpful also if you could see the other questions that are posted from other HomePod users and what the responses from Apple.

I don't have a specific question to ask about my home pod but I would love to see what questions are asked and what the responses are.

 

[Nozuka]

why the hell is it still only available in a few countries?

 

[code-m]

Another exciting home speaker product from Apple. /s

Remember the iPod HiFi, and whatever came after that. The HomePod is limited in its 1st generation implementation similar to AppleTV, plus Siri is terrible compared to other VoiceAI available from Amazon, Google, etc. I prefer not discussing price as some people’s earned income will claim it is a bargain while others will claim it is ridiculous expensive.

Hopefully by the 2-4 generation this thing will be useful unless it lives out the same fate as iPod HiFi.

In my social circle, VoiceAI was used initially when the device was purchased and the remaining 99% of the time it was an unused feature.

 

[Gorms]

Maybe they should do this when iOS12 is out and Siri Shortcuts are available because that will make Siri on HomePod seem a lot more impressive. No beef with my HomePods (which I’m actually listening too now), just seems like an excellent education opportunity for both. I imagine they preview it as part of this.

 

[asiga]

When you release dumb products, you need to give a talk. Come on, release the three pending MacBooks and forget this snowball thing or whatever it is.