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Apple Says HomePod is Delayed Until Early 2018
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Im not sure why some people are excited about this product or why it was a good idea in the first place... let’s remember that Siri can only handle few specific sentences in which you have to make sure your wording is exactly the same as programmed. I don’t see why anyone would spend money on the HomePod.
Although I disagree with the tone of your post—I think Tim is a very good guy and a very talented operations guy—you are right about the keynotes. It’s like a mimick of Steve”s shadow. Apple should think of something new and more comfortable for the current leadership team.
But, to your point about cringeworthy, let us never forget...
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[doublepost=1510963646][/doublepost]Gotta remove that aux input, save space.
Apple today announced it has delayed the release of the HomePod until early 2018. The speaker was originally set to launch in December.
In a statement provided to MacRumors and other media outlets, Apple said it needs "a little more time" before the HomePod is ready.Apple's definition of "early" in a year is generally January through April. Apple did not provide a specific reason for the delay.
Apple unveiled the HomePod at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. At the time, Apple said the speaker would launch in December for $349, starting in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
HomePod is the first Apple product delayed since the AirPods last October. At the time, Apple also said it needed "a little more time" before the wireless headphones were ready. AirPods eventually launched in December 2016.
HomePod also serves as a "Hey Siri" assistant and HomeKit hub. The high-fidelity speaker is equipped with spatial awareness and Apple-engineered audio technology, including a seven-tweeter array and high-excursion woofer, and is powered by Apple's A8 chip. A firmware leak reveals it likely has 1GB of RAM.
Article Link: Apple Says HomePod is Delayed Until Early 2018
It has only been two products....... that's it.. Not exactly mind blowing stuff as in the entire business would fail just because of a few delays.
We're getting cold feet over nothing
Apple is marketing it for its sound quality, not so much Siri.
And I remember the AirPods receiving tons of criticism when it was first announced as well. People were aghast at the thought of spending so much money on a pair of wireless earbuds, but fast forward a year, and the consensus is that it is actually pretty affordable, and the competition hasn’t really caught up in this regard.
The HomePod is powered by an A8 chip. As such, I see it more as a computer with speakers, rather than simply being a smart speaker. The same way the iPhone is a computer in your pocket, and the Apple Watch is a computer on your wrist.
For one, I believe the HomePod is going to sound better than the Sonos and way better than the Amazon Echo. So that’s my answer to people asking why they shouldn’t just settle for a cheaper alternative - you get the sound quality you pay for. The value proposition here is in having a computer control the speakers and microphones in your room. It’s going to be like AR for the ears.
I also think there is going to be some cool synergy to be had from having multiple HomePod scattered around your house that you won’t get from other speakers. The power of the Apple ecosystem.
So yes, I am excited to see what Apple does to differentiate this from the competition.
This is why I love Apple. They will only ship a product when they are confident it will provide a delightful experience to its customers.
I can't wait to experience HomePod in 2018. I'm planning on putting them in every room in my home, replacing Sonos which basically sucks now they fired most of their talent.
I can't wait to experience HomePod in 2018. I'm planning on putting them in every room in my home, replacing Sonos which basically sucks now they fired most of their talent.
I just hope Apple manage to ship this before Sonos launch the innevitable Sonos 3, or even Sonos 5 supporting a wide range of streaming services and both Alexa and Google Assistant. The Homepod can probably see off the sound quality of the Sonos 1, but would likely struggle to stand above against a voice-assistant version of either of the larger Sonos speakers and the Play 3 is due for an upgrade...
I've been tip-toeing around an Echo for quite a while, I love the idea of voice-controlled home automatisation. I've never used Siri in the past because I feel like it's a little awkward talking to my phone. But I can see myself saying "Turn the living room lights on" etc. I've never been in the market for the HomePod because of it's price point (though the hubby is really intrigued by it). One of my major concerns with the Echo was how it would work with iOS, because usually getting bits and pieces from rivaling companies to work together has at times been a pain in the past.
How is iCal integration with Alexa? Contacts? Reminders? ... How do I have to envision that all works? Is the data imported into the Echo or does the Alexa app on my phone get access to it? I'm deeply embedded within the Apple ecosystem with multiple iPhones, iPads, and Macs in this household, which all flawlessly work together and I love how they do that. I'd want the same continued integration with a smart speaker. (that's why I'm especially shying away from the Google Home, despite it having the advanced AI)
Honestly someone with more experience with Echo would have to chime in on these questions. I literally got mine as a gift (never really wanted one)... and I use it to once in a while turn off Hue lights (which it does just fine) and ask it simple questions like sports scores and weather. Occasionally play pandora or something... but other than that I literally don't use it much. I don't find it as useful as many do.
Honestly, I mainly want it to operate my Hue lights, too, but I figured if I already have it want to at least have the option to leverage the functions - if needed/I feel like it.
Why are you pleading to a tech Forum? As if Apple is going to read what you posted out of 13 pages of posts. Apple couldn't have predicted whatever caused the delay. Clearly they wanted to launch the HomePod in December, but some limitation prevented them otherwise. It happens. It's better to have a successful Product than a faulty one with issues.
It's the opposite. It's being pushed into the next quarter. Sales of the AirPods, MacBook pros, iPad pros and new iPhones are likely through the roof. They'll blow past their sales estimates. Then, they'll release the homepod, AirPods 2 and new iPads next year.... Make sense?
It was nothing more than millions of dollars of free advertising...and a c0ckblock on the competitors.
Probably true in a broader sense. A recurring theme of WWDC 2017 was asserting parity with Google and Amazon in the AI/ML space—basically this year’s “Can’t innovate my @ss!” They must have mentioned “machine learning” a dozen times. They want persuade the technocrati that they’re doing more than playing catch-up.
Better to nail it than release something half baked into an already mature space. If they do it right they should be able to grab 70% market share in a year. Make version 1 run apps and the sky's the limit. They delayed with the ear buds and that was a smart move.
I think the homepod will be a great device. I really can't justify buying a new speaker when I already have a 7.1 surround system and 2 HK bluetooth speakers linked in the kitchen. I really just want a "hey siri" device that I can control my home kit system with.
You think it's unreasonable to expect a $350 speaker to offer an audio input?
I also enjoy lots of music which isn't available on Apple Music. Sometimes friends who don't own iPhones discover and would like to share music. It's pretty normal.