Apple Music to Launch on Amazon's Echo Devices the Week of December 17

[tromboneaholic]

So what you mean is that Apple's HomePod sounds better than Amazon's Echo speaker that costs about a third of the price, assuming you also have the additional hardware (e.g. iPad, iPhone, Mac) necessary to get music to play on the HomePod in the first place.

As long as we're going to be pedantic, HomePod can stream music directly from Apple Music over the internet without requiring another device.

I imagine it will work much the same on the Alexa speakers.

 

[Khedron]

Yeah I don’t believe that one bit. Vocal audio recordings can be compressed down to virtually nothing.

Funny how you question that but not Youtube, which has 300 hours of video uploaded every minute.

Server space isn’t an issue.

YouTube is based around selling adverts and charging monthly fees to access premium features.

You're proposing Amazon have outright lied about the functioning of their hardware so that they can secretly record all audio and store it somewhere without ever letting anyone find out about it? And furthermore they can compress audio to nothing so there is no signature of this constant audio upload taking place? Or have they also hacked your router and ISP to make the traffic invisible?

 

[SigEp265]

This is great! But will I be able to listen to my icloud library if I am NOT an Apple Music subscriber .. only iTunes Match.

 

[posguy99]

Apple is not going to compete with a company that practically gives the hardware away. As a speaker, HomePod is miles ahead of Alexa speakers for pure audio quality.

And that's irrelevant. It really is. Unless you're an audiophile, for most people all that matters is about the level of turning on the FM radio. I myself replaced three sets of AirPlay speakers with 2nd-gen Echo's because they were "good enough".

 

[Jsameds]

YouTube is based around selling adverts and charging monthly fees to access premium features.

You're proposing Amazon have outright lied about the functioning of their hardware so that they can secretly record all audio and store it somewhere without ever letting anyone find out about it? And furthermore they can compress audio to nothing so there is no signature of this constant audio upload taking place? Or have they also hacked your router and ISP to make the traffic invisible?

Yeah you’re prbably right, I’m overreaching. It does happen though, maybe not amazon but it sure happens via phone apps.

 

[tromboneaholic]

So the Alexa app will connect to his library through his phone even though I’m paying for it?

The short answer is yes.

I don't even think it will need to use his iPhone, he will just log in to Apple Music with his Apple ID.

With Family Sharing his listening history will be tied to his Apple ID, and your history is tied to yours.

So not only are the libraries separate, but the likes, dislikes, skips, "hey Siri never play this song again," are all separate.

It's exactly the same as if he paid for his account and you paid for your account.

 

[Khedron]

As long as we're going to be pedantic, HomePod can stream music directly from Apple Music over the internet without requiring another device.

I imagine it will work much the same on the Alexa speakers.

So long as you borrowed someone else's device to set up your HomePod.

Amazon's setup procedure works with iOS, Android, FireOS. Apple's is iOS only.

 

[randomplaydo]

And now....I can FINALLY cancel Spotify, since the only reason I've been paying for two subscriptions is Apple Music is better, but never played on google or Amazon devices that we have all over the house. Now I'll just swap out the couple of google homes with Echo pucks and we're good to go!

 

[kaneda]

I think as Apple focuses on services, you will see them on more platforms than before.

For the most part, Alexa speakers don't compete with HomePod as a speaker. I think this just means we won't necessarily see a $29 HomePod.

Well, usually Apple dominate the market, they don't need to provide the service to make profit. Time is changing, and Apple can't make HomePod better than competitors. That is not Apple's DNA.

 

[jadot]

Still amazes me that people are happy to have these 'smart' speakers in their homes. Who really trusts the likes of Amazon & particularly Google with your data & privacy? Not me.

Sssshhh. They'll be listening.. You wouldn't want them to know 'what you're up to'...

 

[robbyx]

So someone easdropping on your personal life in general is ok with you? There are far more implications with the device than one being concerned with criminal behavior being revealed.

But it’s not a someone doing the eavesdropping. It’s a machine. It would be impossible for Amazon to hire enough humans to listen to a fraction of the audio picked up by Echo every day around the world.

 

[handsome421]

I don't understand why you folks are so down on the Homepod. It sounds so much better than the echo and has privacy restrictions. Why would you settle for crappy audio in your home?

 

[jadot]

Right. Now all we really need is Alexa as a replacement for Siri on iPhones.
Also Google play music on an echo would pan out pretty well for me.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Well, usually Apple dominate the market, they don't need to provide the service to make profit. Time is changing, and Apple can't make HomePod better than competitors. That is not Apple's DNA.

Times are indeed changing, and the home isn't going to be a one-company solution. Apple, Google, or Amazon were never ever going to be the only solution in the majority of households. This is no different from Apple having Apple Music on android 3 years ago.

 

[Shanghaichica]

As long as we're going to be pedantic, HomePod can stream music directly from Apple Music over the internet without requiring another device.

I imagine it will work much the same on the Alexa speakers.

But you need an iOS device to set up the HomePod. It’s not a standalone device like the echo.

 

[tromboneaholic]

And that's irrelevant. It really is. Unless you're an audiophile, for most people all that matters is about the level of turning on the FM radio. I myself replaced three sets of AirPlay speakers with 2nd-gen Echo's because they were "good enough".

I'm not an audiophile, or I would have spend a lot more than I did on HomePod.

I bet the average person who finds Echo quality "good enough" on its own, probably wouldn't subscribe to Apple Music and only has Prime music for the free shipping.
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But you need an iOS device to set up the HomePod. It’s not a standalone device like the echo.

I was just pulling their chain for correcting me on calling Dot by another woman's name...

 

[Khedron]

I don't understand why you folks are so down on the Homepod. It sounds so much better than the echo and has privacy restrictions. Why would you settle for crappy audio in your home?

HomePod doesn't work with movies, TV, YouTube etc. etc.

Whatever non-crappy speakers you're using to listen to that content will work for music too!

HomePod not needed.

 

[DNichter]

But you need an iOS device to set up the HomePod. It’s not a standalone device like the echo.

I needed a phone to set up my old Echo before I got rid of it.

 

[CrzyP]

Oh nice! This is exciting! Add some AirPlay 2 to the Echo!

 

[tromboneaholic]

HomePod doesn't work with movies, TV, YouTube etc. etc.

Whatever non-crappy speakers you're using to listen to that content will work for music too!

HomePod not needed.

Really??????

I have a HomePod stereo pair that works great with my Apple TV for movies, shows, YouTube etc.. and music.

 

[thekeyring]

Didn’t see that one coming.

Makes me assume that HomePod sales must be lacking and this is their response to stay relative.

Could be, but it could also be their general strategy with Apple Music of being on all major platforms (like having an Android app).

 

[ldandp0]

There sure are a lot of people in here that are very excited about the sound quality of the HomePod. I wonder if they also have a list of excuses for the lack of headphone jack?

 

[DNichter]

There sure are a lot of people in here that are very excited about the sound quality of the HomePod. I wonder if they also have a list of excuses for the lack of headphone jack?

No excuses, but I certainly don't need it on any of my devices anymore.

 

[Khedron]

Really??????

I have a HomePod stereo pair that works great with my Apple TV for movies, shows, YouTube etc.. and music.

How's the lag?

Apple themselves are so embarrassed by it they don't recommend using HomePod for AppleTV

 

[DEman19901]

Still amazes me that people are happy to have these 'smart' speakers in their homes. Who really trusts the likes of Amazon & particularly Google with your data & privacy? Not me.

Yet,you still feel safe with your smartphone and computer? Smh
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Personally, I do not care if it listens to my conversations. I am not doing anything illegal.

edit: Just to be clear I know people are concerned with privacy and not just doing "illegal" things. I just flat out do not care if it listens to my conversations. The same way I still use google services because I do not wear a tin hat.

If they're worried about privacy,far more important information could be gathered from a smartphone or computer than a smart speaker.