Apple Now Selling Sonos One SL Wireless Speaker, AirPods Pro Cases

[iAssimilated]

iTunes Library must be played either from macOS or iOS devices.Unless iTunes Match/Apple Music is used you cannot command HomePod to play it; or am I really missing something here??

I don't command my Homepod, I have voice recognition turned off. The wife and I only play music via macOS and iTunes. Our usage is pretty simple, a wireless speaker that has great sound!

Although, I can understand how other people are disappointed with the offerings the Hompod don't have.

 

[I7guy]

No, in the context of this conversation (OP used BT for streaming music to Google device), HomePod does not have BT. It has it for other features, but not for this one. Hence this is one (supposedly not very reliable) feature of Google Mini that can't break on HP because it does not have it.

So what you’re saying (in not so many words) is your reply is irrelevant?

 

[bigpics]

The AirPods Pro case is nice; it was actually available before Christmas - mine arrived on the 21st. My wife has the pink version for her Gen 2s. Good cases, and they include a small sticky 3M square in the inside the lid so it doesn't come off like so many cases.

The one I got on Amazon for $7.00 isn't made of "Woolenex" - just plastic, and not waterproof like the other, but it charges, looks good, lets the LED shine through, protects the charging case, and the lid stays closed.

From where I sit, the other $23.00 is a status symbol tax.

 

[iObama]

Just got a fourth SL for Christmas! Very excited. I love all things Apple, but HomePod is a no go for me until they give me an EQ.

 

[Atarikid]

I first got the Sonos One (two) and they do sound good. Except everything below 180hz is sounding muddy. The subs are almost sounding artificial - could be the low quality sub driver). But in general it's ok. I recently tried a Homepod and I have to say the overal sound is much better. Especially if lower frequencies are present (a TR808 bassdrum is really sounding like it should). Anyhow, there is need for a second Homepod if your room is bigger than 30m2. Not for creating stereo but to fill the room with all frequencies correctly. Basically two Homepods will surpass a lot of higher end and bigger speakers. Unfortunately this will put the pricetag up to +€700

 

[CarlJ]

I first got the Sonos One (two) and they do sound good. Except everything below 180hz is sounding muddy. The subs are almost sounding artificial - could be the low quality sub driver). But in general it's ok. I recently tried a Homepod and I have to say the overal sound is much better.

Apple really needs to do a “HomePod Home Theater” - either as a center channel, or as a 3.0 sound bar. With proper a/v syncing. They could sell a lot of “regular” HomePods as surrounds. Until then, I’ll stick with Sonos, even knowing HomePod sounds great.

 

[MikeDProducer]

The one I got on Amazon for $7.00 isn't made of "Woolenex" - just plastic, and not waterproof like the other, but it charges, looks good, lets the LED shine through, protects the charging case, and the lid stays closed.

From where I sit, the other $23.00 is a status symbol tax.

I have tried some of the cheaper AirPods pro cases on Amazon as well. I hate the silicone ones. I tried one with artificial leather and it was okay. Around $15.

This Incase has a premium feel to it. I like the look of the Woolex and the build quality is strong compared to the very cheap ones.

Time will tell though haha. In my experience the cheaper cases tend to break down over time. I hope this one lasts.

 

[BMox81]

Yeah, Homepod to Sonos convert here.

Got a Sonos Beam and a couple of Ones (One being an SL) over the Christmas period.

Homepod has been relegated to the kitchen for the time being until I get another SL and then I’ll just sell off the Homepod and put the regular One in there.

Nothing bad to say about the HomePod but prefer the openness of Sonos and if I choose to move services then I can do so easily.

 

[Zmmyt]

What's the difference between that and just using your voice to play music? Wouldn't that stream directly from the servers?

as a Spotify user, SpotifyConnect is very desirable.

 

[CarlJ]

What's the difference between that and just using your voice to play music? Wouldn't that stream directly from the servers?

Technically, using your voice to play music doesn't involve any streaming, servers or external hardware. Just your garden-variety human, with lungs and vocal cords.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I don't command my Homepod, I have voice recognition turned off. The wife and I only play music via macOS and iTunes. Our usage is pretty simple, a wireless speaker that has great sound!

Although, I can understand how other people are disappointed with the offerings the Hompod don't have.

If you don’t use voice commands what’s the point of the HomePod? You could just get a normal Bluetooth speaker.

 

[I7guy]

If you don’t use voice commands what’s the point of the HomePod? You could just get a normal Bluetooth speaker.

I want to get a few more for the house maybe 4 in total. We have found Siri works well for what we use it for. Now that we setup voice recognition we found it works well also.

 

[ipponrg]

If you don’t use voice commands what’s the point of the HomePod? You could just get a normal Bluetooth speaker.

Maybe I am missing something here, but isn’t this the primary point of the HomePod? Remember those endless threads about how the HomePod is supposed to be an excellent speaker first and foremost followed by being a smart speaker?

 

[Shanghaichica]

Maybe I am missing something here, but isn’t this the primary point of the HomePod? Remember those endless threads about how the HomePod is supposed to be an excellent speaker first and foremost followed by being a smart speaker?

The HomePod is for someone who is heavily integrated into the Apple ecosystem. They are most likely subscribed to Apple Music and will use Siri for playback. They will also use Siri to set timers and reminders, send messages and make calls.The HomePod sounds great but if you aren’t going to use voice commands then you might as well get a cheaper (Dumb) Bluetooth Speaker which sounds just as good.

 

[ipponrg]

The HomePod is for someone who is heavily integrated into the Apple ecosystem. They are most likely subscribed to Apple Music and will use Siri for playback. They will also use Siri to set timers and reminders, send messages and make calls.The HomePod sounds great but if you aren’t going to use voice commands then you might as well get a cheaper (Dumb) Bluetooth Speaker which sounds just as good.

Interesting. Not that I disagree with you in BT speakers being better sounding, but thanks for confirming the floating contradictions around the HomePod

 

[I7guy]

Maybe I am missing something here, but isn’t this the primary point of the HomePod? Remember those endless threads about how the HomePod is supposed to be an excellent speaker first and foremost followed by being a smart speaker?

The Homepod is an excellent speaker first and foremost, imo. Of course peoples' opinion always vary and YMMV as they say. But I do agree, if one has no use for Siri and all that is left is airplay. Might as well get a bluetooth speaker instead.

 

[iAssimilated]

If you don’t use voice commands what’s the point of the HomePod? You could just get a normal Bluetooth speaker.

The HomePod is for someone who is heavily integrated into the Apple ecosystem. They are most likely subscribed to Apple Music and will use Siri for playback. They will also use Siri to set timers and reminders, send messages and make calls.The HomePod sounds great but if you aren’t going to use voice commands then you might as well get a cheaper (Dumb) Bluetooth Speaker which sounds just as good.

A different use case doesn't make it wrong. The HomePod's value/price ratio for a great sounding as well as beautiful to look at speaker is perfect for me (mind you I picked up all my HomePods on sale). I know I could spend more time defending my position, but luckily, I do not have to and won't. All I will say is I am extremely pleased with my HomePods so I have had no need to look else where! 😁

Also, I do not need a speaker listening to me, but to each their own.