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Doesn't it work with iTunes match?
Siri always worked with all my music, even ripped, when I had iTunes Match. I doubt that’s changed. I think somebody’s mistaken.
Even with Apple Music, iTunes Match is included, and it worked with Def Leppard I had ripped because their music was not available on iTunes until very recently.
 
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These ads just emphasize the poor choice of name. Should have been POD.

The iPod is dead and it would've been nice to see the name persist. HomePod doesn't go well together and Home itself is far too specific for a device that'll be used in offices, retail, etc.

POD would have fit with Apple's newest products: MUSIC, TV, WATCH. HomePod seems like an outlier.
Nah. It ties in with the iHome trend
 
It actually is portable. That's another fantastic feature that you can't do with systems that sound as well but costs thousands more--move it around. Apple has so much tech in this speaker, it's amazing. They included an accelerometer so it can detect when you move it so it knows to redo all the magic in setting up the tweeters, etc., to sound great where it has been moved to. Simply amazing. As was pointed out on the Reddit audiophile thread, the Homepod has technology in it that is only found in speakers costing tens of thousands of dollars.
And how do those accelerometers work when you unplug it? HomePod is powerful and does real-time spatial awareness adjustments but I do not consider any device that requires AC power to be portable.
 
The HomePod is a computer with speakers. It’s a smart speaker today, with the potential to be so much more in the future.

It's all about the apps. At first they won't be very good. A single fart, but soon there will be many fart apps with many unique farts. Sadly, the best fart will get lost in a sea of apps that no one can search because the homepod app store isn't well optimized.
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I don’t care how good it sounds, if I can’t say “play song X” without having to pay for a subscription service (i.e. my music in iTunes), then they aren’t getting my money.

Why? You didn't rent a licence for finding your music by voice. As far as music that you made? Well then, just make if available on iTunes and buy a copy.
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Airplay will certainly be one component of the HomePod that I will use extensively. I also look forward to having access to Siri without having an iPhone, iPad, or Mac nearby. I will also explore its capabilities in terms of being a HomeKit hub. I am sure there will other features as the HomePod's firmware evolves much like other Apple devices have.

I have to ask, and I am being honest here, why? Why do you want a device that is primarily operated by voice? Until siri understands that I paused to think, that I stuttered trying to remember the name, changed my mind halfway through the command, or got distracted and I am no longer talking to her than voice commands are a hassle. Even though smart lights are great I still find myself using the app more than voice.

Now, if I could control my apple tv or start my car I would consider this. Or, if you could use 3 of them to give two people perfect stereo sound I would consider it.

My biggest issue is this: I don't consider each smart speaker a different device. A smart speaker in my home is defined by being accessible anywhere in the house. For a smart speaker setup to be good enough value you really need one in every room, and at $350 each that's an expensive set of speakers.
 
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Why? You didn't rent a licence for finding your music by voice. As far as music that you made? Well then, just make if available on iTunes and buy a copy.
I'm not sure I'm understanding your gibberish, but I've already purchased this music. I'm not paying for it again. I've got other hardware options out there for "finding my music with my voice," and I certainly don't need a "license" to do so. I'll spend my money on the speaker that suits my needs, and it won't be Apple's entry into this market with the Homepod's reported limitations.
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I have to ask, and I am being honest here, why? Why do you want a device that is primarily operated by voice? Until siri understands that I paused to think, that I stuttered trying to remember the name, changed my mind halfway through the command, or got distracted and I am no longer talking to her than voice commands are a hassle.
Seriously? For you, I just checked my folder of music files. I have 1,137 songs that I have acquired over the last, I dunno, 20 years or so. Sure, I can click on the folder, scroll all the way down to the "R"s, find "Rob Zombie" and then look for "More Human than Human." Click on it, wait for my MP3 player of choice to pop up, and listen to the song. Or I can tell my smart speaker to play that song for me.

The other problem you are having is that you are using Siri. I just got an Echo about a month ago, and while it doesn't sound all that great, the voice recognition is much better than Siri. And like you, I have paused/stuttered/got the name of a song partially correct, and Alexa usually can figure out WTF I'm talking about without choking up like Siri. Another great example, today we wanted to know what time Fry's electronics closed...Alexa told me on the first attempt. Siri thought I was talking about a restaurant, and gave me a list of restaurants in my area. Apple is clearly afraid to admit they have been wrong about Siri, and after all these years they still can't fix her, while the competition is leaving her behind.
 
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Still amazes me Tim totally dismissed the need to have a stand-alone voice interface device because,”people have their iPhones on them at all times.”

Yet here we are 18 months later lol. Going to be interesting to see if Siri becomes more useful with HomePod.

Apple could have been lot more further forward in this catorgery but lost their way and focus imo.
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I'm not sure I'm understanding your gibberish, but I've already purchased this music. I'm not paying for it again. I've got other hardware options out there for "finding my music with my voice," and I certainly don't need a "license" to do so. I'll spend my money on the speaker that suits my needs, and it won't be Apple's entry into this market with the Homepod's reported limitations.
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Seriously? For you, I just checked my folder of music files. I have 1,137 songs that I have acquired over the last, I dunno, 20 years or so. Sure, I can click on the folder, scroll all the way down to the "R"s, find "Rob Zombie" and then look for "More Human than Human." Click on it, wait for my MP3 player of choice to pop up, and listen to the song. Or I can tell my smart speaker to play that song for me.

The other problem you are having is that you are using Siri. I just got an Echo about a month ago, and while it doesn't sound all that great, the voice recognition is much better than Siri. And like you, I have paused/stuttered/got the name of a song partially correct, and Alexa usually can figure out WTF I'm talking about without choking up like Siri. Another great example, today we wanted to know what time Fry's electronics closed...Alexa told me on the first attempt. Siri thought I was talking about a restaurant, and gave me a list of restaurants in my area. Apple is clearly afraid to admit they have been wrong about Siri, and after all these years they still can't fix her, while the competition is leaving her behind.

Yes same here totally agree plus with so much integration with other devices Alexa really is just becoming the go to voice interface.

I use echo Dots and that way, if in the future I decide to change the voice interface it’s not an issue as my connected devices like speakers,lights etc don’t get affected. :)
 
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The entire focus of the HomePod is music. Why don't people understand that?

Apple talked 90% of the keynote about music and the HomePod. Just 10% was about Siri and that was at the very end. 90% of the HomePod webpage is devoted to music. Only the very bottom mentions Siri. The clear focus is music.
I wish Apple would be more clear about what it actually does with music. All they have talked about so far is Apple Music, it would to nice to know officially from them about how it is going to function with your previously purchased music, including iTunes Match and personally ripped songs.
There is also confusion about whether or not it will support Bluetooth streaming of music.
 
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Ever heard of AirPlay?

Yes but apparently that ain't working if I understand the reviews right. Only music that you bought through iTunes you can play.
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[doublepost=1517100301][/doublepost]That is not true. I spoke with Apple sales this morning and HomePod will work if one only has iTunes match. You don't need apple music with iTunes match for iTunes match to work. I was told it can also perform Airplay from a device.


Not True. Spoke with Apple this morning. It will work with iTunes Match, without being part of a subscription to Apple Music. It also supports AirPlay from other devices.
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I spoke with Apple this morning . HomePod will work with iTunes Match without Match being bundled with Apple Music. HomePod will also AirPlay from other devices.
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Not True. Checked with Apple Sales this morning. Will play your iTunes Match without Apple Music Subscription. Also, will AirPlay from another device.
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I spoke with Apple this morning . HomePod will work with iTunes Match without Match being bundled with Apple Music. HomePod will also AirPlay from other devices.


I spoke with Apple this morning . HomePod will work with iTunes Match without Match being bundled with Apple Music. HomePod will also AirPlay from other devices.

I hear what you are saying but that is contradicting to what others are saying e.g. look at Daring Fireball.

I also do not want to pay for Apple iTunes Music match.
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I wish Apple would be more clear about what it actually does with music. All they have talked about so far is Apple Music, it would to nice to know officially from them about how it is going to function with your previously purchased music, including iTunes Match and personally ripped songs.
There is also confusion about whether or not it will support Bluetooth streaming of music.

Exactly. I buy my Music nowadays from Amazon as they ship me the actual CD in addition to the download for the same price or even less I pay for the album on iTunes.

So can I play this music and the tons of music that I ripped to iTunes back in 2003 (legally bought all of this!!!) from my Mac or iPad or iPhone to the HomePod, if so I get one. If not NO BUY. I am not paying for subscriptions. I already have to many...
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Yes but apparently that ain't working if I understand the reviews right. Only music that you bought through iTunes you can play.
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I hear what you are saying but that is contradicting to what others are saying e.g. look at Daring Fireball.

I also do not want to pay for Apple iTunes Music match.
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Exactly. I buy my Music nowadays from Amazon as they ship me the actual CD in addition to the download for the same price or even less I pay for the album on iTunes.

So can I play this music and the tons of music that I ripped to iTunes back in 2003 (legally bought all of this!!!) from my Mac or iPad or iPhone to the HomePod, if so I get one. If not NO BUY. I am not paying for subscriptions. I already have to many...


Looks like I stand corrected: Please all read this from iMore:
https://www.imore.com/how-homepod-w...-music-library-airplay-and-flac-files#nomusic
 
I don’t think this tiny box can fill up a 70m²-80m² living room decently with loud and good sounding music.
So no buy...
 
I wish Apple would be more clear about what it actually does with music. All they have talked about so far is Apple Music, it would to nice to know officially from them about how it is going to function with your previously purchased music, including iTunes Match and personally ripped songs.
There is also confusion about whether or not it will support Bluetooth streaming of music.

The only way someone could be confused is if they're not familiar with what AirPlay does. Apple has specifically mentioned AirPlay compatibility on the main product page the entire time.
 
The only way someone could be confused is if they're not familiar with what AirPlay does. Apple has specifically mentioned AirPlay compatibility on the main product page the entire time.
It’s rumoured to work independently with iTunes purchased music using Siri control but there’s no confirmation yet from Apple. A lot of people want to know if the same is true for iTunes Match music.

Using AirPlay compatibility as a workaround doesn’t answer those questions, hence the confusion.
 
Ever take marketing? They will have subsequent ads to talk about different features. Ads are supposed to have a single, powerful message. We know it’s a great speaker. Next, they’ll teach us it’s a great assistant.

Ever not try to be condescending?
In one instance you're correct. Certainly they are already late to the party with a offering a "smart speaker" so it may not matter if anyone knows that this is an alternative to Alexa, et al. BTW, those ads didn't really inform me about it being a great speaker. Meh.
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I’m not sure how you couldn’t be sure. Apple has said, repeatedly and from the beginning, that Homepod’s focus is music.
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That’s the LAST thing Apple wants....to be seen as an Alexa or Google Home “alternative,” as you say. Apple is defining a *unique* space for HomePod, and then it intends to dominate that space, which is good marketing. If Apple makes people think “I love music, and HomePod is all about the music” then it will have succeeded.

Good point to a certain point. Apple really can't compete with either in the smart speaker category. Siri has certainly gotten much better but it still has it's shortcomings. How big is the target market for a hi-fi smart speaker? Sonos already has captured a big share of that hi-fi speaker market and is compatible with Alexa. Am I correct that HomePod is only compatible with Apple Music?
 
It’s rumoured to work independently with iTunes purchased music using Siri control but there’s no confirmation yet from Apple. A lot of people want to know if the same is true for iTunes Match music.

Hadn't heard those rumors. If they're talking about Siri doing a search of another device's library from the HomePod over WiFi, that seems doubtful.
 
Hadn't heard those rumors. If they're talking about Siri doing a search of another device's library from the HomePod over WiFi, that seems doubtful.
Your purchased iTunes music and your music in iTunes Match is stored in the cloud and tied to your iCloud account so it doesn’t need to search on another device.
 
Your purchased iTunes music and your music in iTunes Match is stored in the cloud and tied to your iCloud account so it doesn’t need to search on another device.

I don't use iTunes Match. Is that type of functionality in combination with Siri available on other Apple devices?
 
where is the design video? what is that rap/gangsta/hipster thing apple has this days? what am i suppose to learn about that new category product from those commercials?
 
I'm not sure I'm understanding your gibberish, but I've already purchased this music. I'm not paying for it again. I've got other hardware options out there for "finding my music with my voice," and I certainly don't need a "license" to do so. I'll spend my money on the speaker that suits my needs, and it won't be Apple's entry into this market with the Homepod's reported limitations.
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Seriously? For you, I just checked my folder of music files. I have 1,137 songs that I have acquired over the last, I dunno, 20 years or so. Sure, I can click on the folder, scroll all the way down to the "R"s, find "Rob Zombie" and then look for "More Human than Human." Click on it, wait for my MP3 player of choice to pop up, and listen to the song. Or I can tell my smart speaker to play that song for me.

The other problem you are having is that you are using Siri. I just got an Echo about a month ago, and while it doesn't sound all that great, the voice recognition is much better than Siri. And like you, I have paused/stuttered/got the name of a song partially correct, and Alexa usually can figure out WTF I'm talking about without choking up like Siri. Another great example, today we wanted to know what time Fry's electronics closed...Alexa told me on the first attempt. Siri thought I was talking about a restaurant, and gave me a list of restaurants in my area. Apple is clearly afraid to admit they have been wrong about Siri, and after all these years they still can't fix her, while the competition is leaving her behind.

First, you clearly missed the sarcasm.

Second, to be clear, the studios don't recognize that you bought the music. To them you licenced it. It doesn't matter if the licence distributed the music on CD or mp3, they will fight to make you pay again if they think they can get away with it. I hate it as much as you do, but that's the way it is.

Those seem like a lot of steps. You could also just press "command+ space" start typing the name and before you finished press enter and it will start playing. It is still faster than asking Alexa or Siri to do it.

There is no way Alexa understands that you aren't done when pause to collect yourself. I am not talking about mumbling. I am talking about 2 to 5 seconds gaps within the command that negate, alter, or update the previous statement. A person understands these things but no voice AI does. Not yet at least.

Telling me when a store is open isn't hard. The AI simply looks for a business with that name, checks the current date and time, and then scans a directory that contains that information. Here is an example we did yesterday on our Dot "Alexa, in the TV show Friends was the actor who played Phoebe's brother also in the show My Two Dads?" She replied that she wan't sure. I can google Fry's hours pretty fast on my phone, but searching for actors takes longer. I can't just look up the actors in My Two Dads, because he was a kid and his look was different enough that the actor isn't easily recognizable. Instead I had to search the cast of Friends, then find the actor's name, then link to their filmography, then scan down his list of 95 acting roles. That takes far more time, and a smart assistant would be helpful. If she worked. Which she doesn't.

How about this question, "Alexa will you verify that Fry's is still open?" Right now she might do what I just described, and report what the website says. But, what if there is a storm, and I am concerned they closed early? What I want is for Alexa to call the location and ask if they are still open, and ask if they have any intentions of closing early. You see, a human would understand the context of the question based on easily accessible ques about weather, time, what the store sells, how far away they are, etc. Smart AI's can't do that.
 
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