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Apple Removes References to Original HomePod From Website, Months After Discontinuation

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Apple has removed all references to the original, full-sized HomePod from its website, months after officially discontinuing the smart speaker that struggled to reach mainstream adoption.

homepod-feature-triad.jpg

The removal of references to the original HomePod came as a result of brand new changes to Apple's website. With the new changes, Apple now only highlights the HomePod mini, which now comes in brand new colors.

Apple announced HomePod in 2018 as its first major home-centric product, focused around delivering high-quality audio combined with the integration into services, such as Apple Music and Siri.

Priced at $349 at launch and eventually decreased to $299, Apple struggled to market the HomePod in a way appealing to the masses, yielding lower sales than the company was likely aiming for. Additionally, Siri, which powers the HomePod experience, continues to grapple with catching up to the capabilities of Google's smart assistant and Amazon's Alexa.

Apple followed up the full-sized HomePod with the HomePod mini last year, and today added new colors for the smaller speaker. The HomePod mini features a significantly smaller design than the original HomePod, but continues to feature the same Siri experience, powered by Apple Music and third-party services. Unlike the original HomePod selling for $299, the HomePod mini is priced at $99. The HomePod mini recently became available in more countries, including Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Article Link: Apple Removes References to Original HomePod From Website, Months After Discontinuation
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/18/homepod-website-references-removed/
It's dead, Jim.

I still have one and I like it but it was clear they couldn't figure out how to do much with it that would make it indispensable.
 
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I wonder what Apple will come up with (if anything) to replace the HomePod. The Mini is okay, but even inexpensive portable speakers outperform it audio-quality wise. My hope is they discontinued the HomePod and are just waiting until people sorta forget about it before introducing something that's would fit between the original HomePod and the Mini.
 
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linkgx1 said:
It's weird to have a mini version of a device but not the full-sized version. I wonder if Apple is planning another full-sized one soon.
Click to expand...
i agree. honestly feels like the mini should have just been the homepod and then make the homepod something like the homepod . . . "max" since that's what apple's into these days.
 
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If Siri was solid and HomeKit was more expansive these would have been great. I love my echo devices because Amazons smart home integration is so complete. I just wish the sound from the devices was better and that the smart home devices worked when the internet was down (like homekit)
 
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As long as they don't drop it dead software wise I won't complain. So far it's still going strong, as it should considering it's such a short time since it was still being sold and there is no logical reason why software features shouldn't be maintained on it for years to come. End-of-Sales Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and Apple TV's keeps receiving new software features for years after they get discontinued. There is no reason why the HomePod should be any different.

Only thing Apple would achieve by dropping the HomePod completely dead this early would be to tell anyone to think twice before ever purchasing any kind of smart home devices from them ever again because you have no clue when they will suddenly put it end of sales and stop providing software refinements to it.
 
I bought one relatively recently when it was being discounted, as I thought it was too expensive before. It currently does duties at my bedside for streaming radio, mostly, and I really like the sound quality. It recently got a software update to 15.0 so Apple hasn't completely forgotten about it.
 
I have a stereo pair of OG HomePods, and the audio is just flippin' awesome.

I have to believe that they will re-introduce something to fill the gap at some point. There's too much audio focus at Apple to pass it up, especially with lossless - but right now the messaging around all things Apple Music and sound is really mixed up and directionless, and today didn't help at all.
 
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Hey guys, these are good quality cloths! I still use the one that came with my 30 gb iPod video. Take care of your stuff and it lasts forever 😃
 
zorinlynx said:
I wonder what Apple will come up with (if anything) to replace the HomePod. The Mini is okay, but even inexpensive portable speakers outperform it audio-quality wise. My hope is they discontinued the HomePod and are just waiting until people sorta forget about it before introducing something that's would fit between the original HomePod and the Mini.
Click to expand...
A HomePod/Apple TV soundbar that uses HomePod minis as surrounds. Not only does it allow apple to bring spacial audio to the living room, but also centre stage mode, a theatre in a box system that’s simple and it allows the Apple TV to appeal to a wider user base. Plus a home theatre setup is more enticing to the average user than audiophile speakers
 
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