Apple Shares First Series of HomePod Ads With Focus on Music

[sos47]

long ago that i was excited about apple products, i think last time it was my first iPod in 2001 or 2002. Homepods have great design, tons of features. So, goodbye Sonos, Goodbye Bose, Yamaha, Goodbye Philips Pronto (OMG). I’ve spent so much money and now it’s so super easy, everything is connected and controlled with one system. Yes!

 

[Baymowe335]

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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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?

I’m not trying to be condescending, buts it’s marketing 101. They are trying to hit consumers with the biggest differentiator first, and that’s sound.

Late to the party doesn’t matter for Apple, proven over and over.

 

[Royksöpp]

Jesus Christ my ears! Did they let a group of 16 year old hoodrats pick this "Music". While the text movement is interesting, the music ruined it.

 

[minivini]

I’m a little perplexed regarding Apple’s highlighting this as a speaker while always very briefly touting its “smart” functionality. Yeah, apparently it sounds really good. Obviously they will ramp up its usefulness with (hopefully) immediate and frequent updates. But, to offer this as a $350 single music speaker, while all but ignoring its bigger place in the home automation picture is just weird and seemingly short sighted.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

Most important is what Apple does not say in these ads...

 

[tsmyther]

Good thing this Joe works at MacRumors and knows it exists

…but you're no average Joe, Joe.

 

[scaramoosh]

For than money I'd rather spend a bit extra and buy the Elac UB5's or something.

 

[hauntvictim]

This really has to be one of their weirdest launches ever. Your average Joe doesn't even know this exists, tech experts aren't fully aware what it's fully capable of... And man these ads don't help that.

These ads tell me... nothing.

 

[62tele]

I’m not trying to be condescending, buts it’s marketing 101. They are trying to hit consumers with the biggest differentiator first, and that’s sound.

Late to the party doesn’t matter for Apple, proven over and over.

Regardless, they haven't even done a good job of defining the product. Certain capabilities are clouded in questions. I was on support with Apple yesterday with a simple question: Can Siri play anything other than Apple Music. The sales service rep didn't know and handed me off to a product specialist, who then had to ask someone else. Then this today:
Another site reported on the confusion over what music it will actually play: iTunes Match, your entire iCloud Music Library etc. Apple hasn't been forthcoming. When is it good marketing to not have your principle selling point, i.e., music, shrouded in mystery about the content it will play?
Stereo imaging is deferred. Launch was deferred. It seems like a flustercuck launch to me. Then again, I didn't take Marketing 101.

 

[Baymowe335]

Regardless, they haven't even done a good job of defining the product. Certain capabilities are clouded in questions. I was on support with Apple yesterday with a simple question: Can Siri play anything other than Apple Music. The sales service rep didn't know and handed me off to a product specialist, who then had to ask someone else. Then this today:
Another site reported on the confusion over what music it will actually play: iTunes Match, your entire iCloud Music Library etc. Apple hasn't been forthcoming. When is it good marketing to not have your principle selling point, i.e., music, shrouded in mystery about the content it will play?
Stereo imaging is deferred. Launch was deferred. It seems like a flustercuck launch to me. Then again, I didn't take Marketing 101.

This is your opinion, not reality.

Apple is a marketing and sales machine. Results speak for themselves.

The product isn’t even released yet. Give them some time to train staff. The final specs probably just got locked down from a software perspective. Training takes time on a new launch. It will be fine.

 

[Freida]

Apple used to make wonderful ads that were a pure joy to watch. Now, they just show junk and the style and quality of Apple's ads went to the gutter. These ads are just awful!

 

[truthertech]

Apple used to make wonderful ads that were a pure joy to watch. Now, they just show junk and the style and quality of Apple's ads went to the gutter. These ads are just awful!

Why do you think Apple keeps winning so many awards for their ads? Why do you think their sales continue to go through the roof with most products they sell? Is it despite their award winning ads?

 

[Kawawolf]

A little speaker that costs $350. I spent that much for my mid-fi floorstanding speakers. More than likely they sound better too! And I can plug a tablet into them as well.

At that price, I don't believe Apple will be stealing customers from the Amazon Echo crowd or those that care about sound quality.

 

[carrrrrlos]

Second worst Apple ads, right behind the Genius series.

 

[DeepIn2U]

You really think Kendrick Lamar is that good?

I think he’s incredibly talented. Tonight’s Grammy’s and his peers seem to really think so.

Is what music are YOU actually doing that gets top dollar, top performances, ability to work with one of the top female artists globally and wining YOU a Grammy?

Everybody wants to critic someone else’s success yet not show and prove their own in what hey criticize, by that’s what a haters job is.

People just don’t like change especially if music is being influenced by another genre ... even if it makes theirs much better. I recall the amount of hate with Rock yet that was before my time yet so many similarities here today.

 

[Baymowe335]

I think he’s incredibly talented. Tonight’s Grammy’s and his peers seem to really think so.

Is what music are YOU actually doing that gets top dollar, top performances, ability to work with one of the top female artists globally and wining YOU a Grammy?

Everybody wants to critic someone else’s success yet not show and prove their own in what hey criticize, by that’s what a haters job is.

People just don’t like change especially if music is being influenced by another genre ... even if it makes theirs much better. I recall the amount of hate with Rock yet that was before my time yet so many similarities here today.

I guess award shows really separate the talented from the stiffs.

You were looking for the world “critique” and your opinion of him being amazing is as worthless as mine thinking he’s nothing special. With your logic, only other musicians with commericial mainstream success can judge talent, so you wouldn’t know without a Grammy.

 

[bmunge]

You really think Kendrick Lamar is that good?

Kendrick is the best thing to happen to hip hop in years. TPAB is a masterpiece. GKMC is incredible. You may not like his music but his albums are consistently 90+ on metacritic which is a pretty solid way to start a career. I don’t see how anyone can deny his talent.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I guess award shows really separate the talented from the stiffs.

You were looking for the world “critique” and your opinion of him being amazing is as worthless as mine thinking he’s nothing special. With your logic, only other musicians with commericial mainstream success can judge talent, so you wouldn’t know without a Grammy.

Thank you for the spelling mistake correction, honestly I missed that (late night).

Originally Lamar was not mainstream, so there debunks that statement. Either way his success proves he has a lot of fans buying or paying to stream his music along with mainstream airplay in ads etc which comes first and foremost from streams and purchases then concerts. It’s not about what I or you think here on the forums if he’s good or not the proof is in the pudding = the Grammy’s.

I recall only one major mistake the Grammy’s have made in the last 25yrs = Milli Vanilli - and millions of people did too and they retracted all awards and got the Grammy back. I’m curious who got to keep that Grammy or was it recycled ??

 

[Baymowe335]

Kendrick is the best thing to happen to hip hop in years. TPAB is a masterpiece. GKMC is incredible. You may not like his music but his albums are consistently 90+ on metacritic which is a pretty solid way to start a career. I don’t see how anyone can deny his talent.

I think what passes for “masterpieces” these days is truly sad. But that’s just my opinion and this is just your opinion.

I truly think the best cellist in the world is miles and miles more talented than a Kendrick Lamar but it’s just a difference of opinion. The cellist is just honing a skill, perhaps doing some composing, and playing a lot of previously composed masterpieces.
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Thank you for the spelling mistake correction, honestly I missed that (late night).

Originally Lamar was not mainstream, so there debunks that statement. Either way his success proves he has a lot of fans buying or paying to stream his music along with mainstream airplay in ads etc which comes first and foremost from streams and purchases then concerts. It’s not about what I or you think here on the forums if he’s good or not the proof is in the pudding = the Grammy’s.

I recall only one major mistake the Grammy’s have made in the last 25yrs = Milli Vanilli - and millions of people did too and they retracted all awards and got the Grammy back. I’m curious who got to keep that Grammy or was it recycled ??

You overrate Grammys. So many talented people aren’t even nominated. The Dixie Chicks have 13 Grammys.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I think what passes for “masterpieces” these days is truly sad. But that’s just my opinion and this is just your opinion.

I truly think the best cellist in the world is miles and miles more talented than a Kendrick Lamar but it’s just a difference of opinion. The cellist is just honing a skill, perhaps doing some composing, and playing a lot of previously composed masterpieces.
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You overrate Grammys. So many talented people aren’t even nominated. The Dixie Chicks have 13 Grammys.

Oh man I never said - me I never said, Kendrick was a masterpiece or his work, far from that accolade hehe. Who the hell are the Dixie Chicks? I’ve heard the name but I’ve doubt I’ve ever heard any of their songs - can’t argue that as it fits with your ooinion, and mine, what passes for “music” today is getting sad.

Tonight’s host isn’t even a great comedian but he did well as a host. Still why is a YouTube fame to Apple commercial/stremTV star have ANYTHING to do with Music and the Grammy’s?! Grrr!!

At least Billy Crystal was a legendary comedian and actually made a song “Marvellous” which was hilarious and well done in his craft.

That’s just my opinion. Kendrick is versatile in the genre of his music. He can play an instrument at the least and writes his own words - which I can’t say for many pop artists over the last 3 decades.

I worry about classical artists or instruments usually focused in that realm cause we don’t seem to get Artist creativity outside that area or playing or composition. It seems to stay within classical music. I could be wrong here though.

 

[Baymowe335]

Oh man I never said - me I never said, Kendrick was a masterpiece or his work, far from that accolade hehe. Who the hell are the Dixie Chicks? I’ve heard the name but I’ve doubt I’ve ever heard any of their songs - can’t argue that as it fits with your ooinion, and mine, what passes for “music” today is getting sad.

Tonight’s host isn’t even a great comedian but he did well as a host. Still why is a YouTube fame to Apple commercial/stremTV star have ANYTHING to do with Music and the Grammy’s?! Grrr!!

At least Billy Crystal was a legendary comedian and actually made a song “Marvellous” which was hilarious and well done in his craft.

That’s just my opinion. Kendrick is versatile in the genre of his music. He can play an instrument at the least and writes his own words - which I can’t say for many pop artists over the last 3 decades.

I worry about classical artists or instruments usually focused in that realm cause we don’t seem to get Artist creativity outside that area or playing or composition. It seems to stay within classical music. I could be wrong here though.

Go listen to a Dixie Chicks song and tell me what you think. You must be young though, lol.

At least you are cool about it. Some people defend these guys like they are the greatest ever. What are the chances the greatest ever is also the most currently popular? I just saw Taylor Swift has won multiple Grammys. Average to below average singer, can play a few chords on the guitar, and has some of the most formulaic music of all time.

Beats, repetitive hooks, and baby baby and whiny BS make these artists famous. I understand Kendrick is a big movement guy. All of this goes back to social issues, love and others things people connect with, not talent. Machines make these songs for the most part.

 

[Freida]

Why do you think Apple keeps winning so many awards for their ads? Why do you think their sales continue to go through the roof with most products they sell? Is it despite their award winning ads?

It doesn't matter! What I was simply implying was that in the past Apple ad = beauty and elegance. That is no longer that case (for me).
Awards don't change anything and I'm sure you know that too.

 

[Nuno Lopes]

It doesn't matter! What I was simply implying was that in the past Apple ad = beauty and elegance. That is no longer that case (for me).
Awards don't change anything and I'm sure you know that too.

Yeah, these Ad are a like “bang, bang ... buy now”

Kind of reminds me some of the silly MS commercial around Surface were they have put people clapping the device so in and so forth.

 

[bmunge]

I think what passes for “masterpieces” these days is truly sad. But that’s just my opinion and this is just your opinion.

I truly think the best cellist in the world is miles and miles more talented than a Kendrick Lamar but it’s just a difference of opinion. The cellist is just honing a skill, perhaps doing some composing, and playing a lot of previously composed masterpieces.

I’m certain you’ve never listened to a Kendrick album so your point is rather irrelevant.

Have you actually actively listened to a Kendrick album or are you just basing your opinion on a preconceived notion that rap isn’t music?

 

[szw-mapple fan]

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.

I disagree. Since it's a pripheral audio product that has Siri access, it should follow the naming conventions of AirPods, EarPods etc. Also, naming it POD would create branding confusion since the iPod Touch is still technically alive.