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Apple Offering Discounts on HomePod to Apple Music Subscribers
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My audio setup costs about $500USD, less than two home pods, but sounds leagues better than home pods could, emotively good.
- Good drivers + DSP: http://www.linkwitzlab.com/LXmini/Introduction.htm
- Very cheap $7 amps but not lacking: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x100W-TPA...lifier-Board-12V-24V-for-Arduino/311567426011
I have changed the speaker construction significantly without noticeable detriment to the sound. So if these home pods are to be worthy, Apple probably needs a better AI team to improve siri.
Those are speakers with no audio source, so the price comparison doesn't work.
Also, there is no way my wife would put up with those things in our living room.
Tried so much to like this speaker. But due to its restrictions I have bought x2 Play Ones with Alexa and very happy with that choice amazing sound. Even more so with Apple Music coming to Alexa on the 17th
I see a lot of people say this, and I think they say this without actually giving the HomePod a chance to listen to the audio before they say it’s “too much” or “too expensive”. But once they have the opportunity to actually demo the HomePod in their home, they find out that it’s much more of an experience with the sound and what they anticipated, and then they find out that the price point is more justifiable, because you’re purchasing a piece of equipment that has excellent sound, and it’s not just a smart speaker, it delivers more than that.
Do you mean no bluetooth? True. I use one of our very slow macs as an audio server. I wish apple would sell a pair of airplay 2 receivers to turn a pair of great speakers into wifi speakers.
I give you that. Expensive, inadequate as a stereo, subpar voice assistant-- but they look awesome!
It's interesting that Apple are increasingly offering incentives against products which have been rumoured to be selling more poorly than expected.
It might sound frivolous to say this, but if you look at this in context of Apple's position to date in the market, there is a strong chance that they are exlerienexpe some significant consumer backlash due to underwhelming products that are grossly overpriced.
The HomePod has always been a slightly mediocre product for its elevated price point. Siri isn't as snappy as Alexa or Google and while sound quality is good, there's nothing truly distinctive about the thing.
It might sound frivolous to say this, but if you look at this in context of Apple's position to date in the market, there is a strong chance that they are exlerienexpe some significant consumer backlash due to underwhelming products that are grossly overpriced.
The HomePod has always been a slightly mediocre product for its elevated price point. Siri isn't as snappy as Alexa or Google and while sound quality is good, there's nothing truly distinctive about the thing.
Uk here as well no email and to late now in any case , prezzies all purchased however had the deal came end Nov would have had one but Apple seem to be slow off the mark at most things nowSame here UK Family subscriber and no email for me either!
The convenience and looks of the HomePod outweigh the performance of those monstrosities. Am I supposed to toss one of those in my kitchen? or bedroom? Can I just tell it to play my music? No?
Ill stick with the HomePods, thanks.
Well, I guess after all the uproar of the possibility of falling iPhone sales is starting to peter out, this looks like the next logical avenue to bash Apple. 
I really have to commend your fervour. All of you.
I really have to commend your fervour. All of you.
FANBOY ALERT! I have personally used this product and it sucks! Yep. I said it. The first Apple product I've found that sucks. The DEAL KILLER HERE is sound quality. The Sonos One with Alexa sounds SO MUCH BETTER, and can be had for much less, I've seen them on open box at Best Buy for $150, but even at $199 they are a STEAL. And plus Sonos supports EVERYTHING - Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Google Music, Amazon Music, heck it even supports iTunes match, and you can airplay your iTunes library to Sonos. It's so fluid in the way it works too, Alexa play my Christmas playlist on apple music, Alexa play Christmas music on Amazon Music, Alexa play Rob's Christmas favorites on Spotify... It just works.
Plus I get to order my Starbucks, play Jeopardy, and order stuff on Amazon right from my Sonos speaker.
Plus I get to order my Starbucks, play Jeopardy, and order stuff on Amazon right from my Sonos speaker.
FANBOY ALERT! I have personally used this product and it sucks! Yep. I said it. The first Apple product I've found that sucks. The DEAL KILLER HERE is sound quality. The Sonos One with Alexa sounds SO MUCH BETTER, and can be had for much less, I've seen them on open box at Best Buy for $150, but even at $199 they are a STEAL. And plus Sonos supports EVERYTHING - Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Google Music, Amazon Music, heck it even supports iTunes match, and you can airplay your iTunes library to Sonos. It's so fluid in the way it works too, Alexa play my Christmas playlist on apple music, Alexa play Christmas music on Amazon Music, Alexa play Rob's Christmas favorites on Spotify... It just works.
Plus I get to order my Starbucks, play Jeopardy, and order stuff on Amazon right from my Sonos speaker.
Your post history reminds me of macrumors members who have difficulty telling the truth.
Your repeated use of all caps makes you look like a shill.
Frankly, your tone is annoying and off putting.
Worst of all, you play Christmas music and brag about it.
Ahh the sound of people buying what works best for them and giving a big FY to anyone that doesn't like it! LOL
It's amazing how many folks knock the HomePod that likely has never actually used one except to hear a sample in a store. I agree they are overpriced at $349 and it isn't new that Apple has become a greedy corporation and that has only intensified under Tim Cook.
The bottom line is no one has a gun to their head making them by one of these, but if you want too and if you don't that is okay too. Not a single person knows how many of these have been sold and if they have actually made money or not. Apple's view of fail is much different than most companies because other than the iPod/iPhone what have they ever actually held the market on? Nothing! Apple's greed may finally be catching up with them, only time will tell and it is going to depend on how they respond to this years sales in the coming years that is going to make or break them.
I also love all these folks talking about how Apple is just so far behind everyone else. Again when has that not been the case except for the two above products I mentioned? Is this like new news?
Just for the record I purchased the HomePod and I love it! I get it's not for everyone and some may have other solutions that work better to meet their needs. The HomePod meets mine perfectly, but I didn't pay full MSRP either.
It's amazing how many folks knock the HomePod that likely has never actually used one except to hear a sample in a store. I agree they are overpriced at $349 and it isn't new that Apple has become a greedy corporation and that has only intensified under Tim Cook.
The bottom line is no one has a gun to their head making them by one of these, but if you want too and if you don't that is okay too. Not a single person knows how many of these have been sold and if they have actually made money or not. Apple's view of fail is much different than most companies because other than the iPod/iPhone what have they ever actually held the market on? Nothing! Apple's greed may finally be catching up with them, only time will tell and it is going to depend on how they respond to this years sales in the coming years that is going to make or break them.
I also love all these folks talking about how Apple is just so far behind everyone else. Again when has that not been the case except for the two above products I mentioned? Is this like new news?
Just for the record I purchased the HomePod and I love it! I get it's not for everyone and some may have other solutions that work better to meet their needs. The HomePod meets mine perfectly, but I didn't pay full MSRP either.
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This is exactly true. I don't know a single person who has bought this over-priced piece of crap. It embodies Apple's arrogance, and thinking they can charge way more for stripped down products. Siri has been a joke for years, and Apple has no plans to fix it. Instead, they "innovate" by making new Emojis and watch bands, taking out essential ports, and making their stuff 0.1 mm thinner and 20% more expensive each time.
It can’t play Apple Music yet.FANBOY ALERT! I have personally used this product and it sucks! Yep. I said it. The first Apple product I've found that sucks. The DEAL KILLER HERE is sound quality. The Sonos One with Alexa sounds SO MUCH BETTER, and can be had for much less, I've seen them on open box at Best Buy for $150, but even at $199 they are a STEAL. And plus Sonos supports EVERYTHING - Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Google Music, Amazon Music, heck it even supports iTunes match, and you can airplay your iTunes library to Sonos. It's so fluid in the way it works too, Alexa play my Christmas playlist on apple music, Alexa play Christmas music on Amazon Music, Alexa play Rob's Christmas favorites on Spotify... It just works.
Plus I get to order my Starbucks, play Jeopardy, and order stuff on Amazon right from my Sonos speaker.
man o' man, theres seriously a ****-ton of angry, whiny ****s on this site
There is not a single review from a reputable source that substantiates your claim that one Sonos One speaker is as good as a HomePod in terms of sound quality. There are some that say when 2 are paired together it sounds close or as good. Two Sonos One speakers cost $350-400 depending on the deal at the time.FANBOY ALERT! I have personally used this product and it sucks! Yep. I said it. The first Apple product I've found that sucks. The DEAL KILLER HERE is sound quality. The Sonos One with Alexa sounds SO MUCH BETTER, and can be had for much less, I've seen them on open box at Best Buy for $150, but even at $199 they are a STEAL. And plus Sonos supports EVERYTHING - Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Google Music, Amazon Music, heck it even supports iTunes match, and you can airplay your iTunes library to Sonos. It's so fluid in the way it works too, Alexa play my Christmas playlist on apple music, Alexa play Christmas music on Amazon Music, Alexa play Rob's Christmas favorites on Spotify... It just works.
Plus I get to order my Starbucks, play Jeopardy, and order stuff on Amazon right from my Sonos speaker.
Also you are claiming that you can do things with Alexa that are not currently possible. (Apple Music is not yet available on Alexa.)
Sonos is fine. I own their PlayBar and plan to purchase the whole kit for the living room TV once I buy a house next year... But much of what you said does not match what almost every single review has said. You also made up Alexa functionalities.
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It is hard to take your take on HomePod seriously when you spout off nonsense about Apple making Emojis.
The people who knock on Apple Watch bands clearly don't understand the role it plays in the success of the watch. It's precisely because of the ability to change bands so readily, plus the wide selection of so many designs available, that go a long way towards making the watch so popular. If anything, I am surprised the rest of the watch industry is still using such a cumbersome method of replacing watch bands.
Likewise, the selling point of the HomePod is more its superior sound quality, and not so much Siri.
It's the people who claim that Apple is charging more for less, then acting all surprised when people still buy Apple products, that show their lack of understanding as to why Apple is as successful as it is today. Apple is a design company, not a tech company, and it's the little things like watch bands which show just how much they understand the modern consumer.
While what you wrote is funny, I have no problem asking my HomePod to play any artist/group by name, by genre, by my Favorites mix, by my most recently added list, by my new music list....
I do agree that Siri is a moron, LOL. But my desired functionality for my HomePod is just playing music, listening to podcasts, or NPR segments, and at some point (when I get an Apple TV) to play sound from the TV. Right now I use a Roku and I'm happy with that (Apple TV does not entice me at all). So for my needs, I love the HomePod, and the sound is great. I am continually amazed at how such a small device produces so much sound! I would not buy one at full price though, it is overpriced for what it is. I bought mine secondhand for around $250+shipping (altogether $265), basically unused by the buyer.
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Maybe not next year but soon. Website/chat rooms are censuring content from readers, Macrumors included, some sites charge for extra content and the fun is leaving tech because we are made to feel like dupes.
It's all our own fault for slavishly following brand names built on obvious BS.
This was always going to happen because I've recently bought one from John Lewis for £279. Apple deliberately did this for that one fact alone I wouldn't be that bothered about the 10 quid if it wasn't for the fact that it's still sitting in the box in the back of my cupboard because it's a Christmas present for my other half. Ah well.
I wouldn't be that bothered about the 10 quid if it wasn't for the fact that it's still sitting in the box in the back of my cupboard because it's a Christmas present for my other half. Ah well.
Anyone in the UK received the promotional email who doesn’t intend to take advantage of the offer? If so, I would be extremely grateful if you could forward the email to justin [dot] stevens [at] mac [dot] com. I am an Apple Music Family Subscriber and have NOT received the promotional email. I would like to take advantage of the offer. Many thanks!
I’m also a family Music subscriber and haven’t received anything. Makes you wonder if people with family accounts are being deliberately excluded?
I doubt it.
The reality is that there simply isn't much of an alternative to Apple, Google, Facebook and Amazon, which collectively dominate the consumer space.
It's going to be business as usual for most part. If anything, Apple seems to be positioned to benefit the most from the outcry and backlash surrounding Facebook (and to a lesser extent, Google), with its pro-privacy stance (heck, you have US senators going after Google for a problem with their iPhones). True, there is political risk from ongoing US-tensions with China, but that really has nothing to do with $1k phones. After all, what's a little overpriced hardware compared to undermine democracy in foreign countries?