Apple Shares New Video on Getting the Most From HomePod

[Mark Booth]

So, correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I understood, Home Pod can only be used whit an Iphone and that's it.
So no chance to connect it as a bluetooth speaker to anything else. Woooooooww, what a fail. Disgusting

You are WRONG. First, it's HomePod, not Home Pod. Second, it's with, not whit. Third, it's iPhone, not Iphone.

An iPhone or iPad is needed to set up HomePod. After that you can send music to it with any AirPlay compatible device.

But you already knew that when you posted. You only posted to troll the topic. Please go away.

Mark

 

[jcshas]

It can't make phone calls because it doesn't have a carrier attached to it. But you can make phone calls on your iphone and pick them up using the Homepod. The sound is super clear. I tried this with my Homepod and the person on the other line said they could hear better on the Homepod than the phone itself too.

I understand you can initiate a call on the iPhone and pick them up on the HomePod, but it should be native to the HomePod to be able to make a call by saying “Hey Siri, call _____”. My Amazon Echo doesn’t have a carrier attached, but I can still initiate a call to someone in my contacts list by saying “Alexa, call _____”. Huge miss, IMO.

 

[lparsons21]

I understand you can initiate a call on the iPhone and pick them up on the HomePod, but it should be native to the HomePod to be able to make a call by saying “Hey Siri, call _____”. My Amazon Echo doesn’t have a carrier attached, but I can still initiate a call to someone in my contacts list by saying “Alexa, call _____”. Huge miss, IMO.

But u can’t send a text natively from the Echo

 

[The Game 161]

I understand you can initiate a call on the iPhone and pick them up on the HomePod, but it should be native to the HomePod to be able to make a call by saying “Hey Siri, call _____”. My Amazon Echo doesn’t have a carrier attached, but I can still initiate a call to someone in my contacts list by saying “Alexa, call _____”. Huge miss, IMO.

Well I’m sure that will come with an update soon. Same goes for calendars

 

[citysnaps]

I understand you can initiate a call on the iPhone and pick them up on the HomePod, but it should be native to the HomePod to be able to make a call by saying “Hey Siri, call _____”. My Amazon Echo doesn’t have a carrier attached, but I can still initiate a call to someone in my contacts list by saying “Alexa, call _____”. Huge miss, IMO.

You may not understand HomePod is a first generation device and running with version 1.0 software. And as with many Apple devices, future software updates add new features and functionality. Some of those have been pre-announced, such as handling stereo and and multi-room capability.

The first iPhone was released by Steve Jobs without copy/paste and other features. I expect HomePod to quickly gain more features with future software updates.

 

[legacyb4]

As it costs over twice as much that’s the least you should expect.

Actually, that alone makes it a better value proposition than my Sonos 1 (which has fallen remarkably silent since the purchase). On top of the omni-directional sound in my dining/living room, throw in the option to directly manage music from the iPhone through the Music.app, Homekit hub functionality (which I was missing), and a voice-control (which is missing in the Sonos One up here in Canada anyway), it was actually a pretty easy decision to make...

 

[robbyx]

Sonos is a dead man walking...

Either you know nothing about Sonos or you are trolling. Sonos offers a wide variety of home audio components, none of which compete with HomePod. Until Apple offers a HomePod sub, sound bar, surround sound support, and the ability to use one’s own speakers, Sonos has nothing to worry about. I have Sonance speakers built in to my walls and ceilings, all connected to Sonos Connect:Amp boxes. I can’t replicate this setup with HomePod. HomePod isn’t a home audio solution like Sonos offers. It’s an Apple Music accessory.

 

[Mark Booth]

But u can’t send a text natively from the Echo

Exactly! You also can't ask Echo to name a song that is playing in the background on your TV or other source that's not being directly controlled by the Echo. With HomePod you simply say, "Hey Siri, Shazam this." Bingo!

When I purchased the HomePod I knew exactly what I was getting because I read lots of reviews prior to purchase. I RESEARCHED the subject.

HomePod will improve and new features will be added via software updates. An Amazon Echo device will always sound like crap next to a HomePod.

Apple is selling an outstanding first-class speaker that also happens to have some smart speaker features. If smart is more important to someone than sound quality then they should please stop reading this topic and go enjoy their Echo.

Mark

 

[skinned66]

I'll just wait until it's a lot smarter. I already have speakers and more capable versions of Siri on multiple devices throughout my home - mainly because Apple took way too long to bring this to market. They also play my music.

 

[Starfyre]

None of these voice controls in the video are unique to homepod, they are Siri... in iPhone. Light dimming? That's with HomeKit devices linked to iPhone. Homepod feels more a way for Apple to market Siri and HomeKit, while not really putting anything else new out there with homepod except for superior audio quality.. which HomePod is well.. a speaker.

 

[otternonsense]

The video forgot to include how nice it is for anybody to be able to access the owner's iMessage, calendar, etc.

Or how nice it would be to connect the user’s Mac. Seamless ecosystem my a ss.

 

[bbrks]

You are WRONG. First, it's HomePod, not Home Pod. Second, it's with, not whit. Third, it's iPhone, not Iphone.

An iPhone or iPad is needed to set up HomePod. After that you can send music to it with any AirPlay compatible device.

But you already knew that when you posted. You only posted to troll the topic. Please go away.

Mark

Please forgive me for my bad English, its' not my native language.
So, let me try again. I am a huge Apple fan. I am using Apple devices for almost 10 years now.
And I will repeat it again......if Home .......Pod can't be used as a bluetooth speaker with any other device, not even with MBP it is just plain stupid. Thank you.

 

[Mark Booth]

Please forgive me for my bad English, its' not my native language.
So, let me try again. I am a huge Apple fan. I am using Apple devices for almost 10 years now.
And I will repeat it again......if Home .......Pod can't be used as a bluetooth speaker with any other device, it is just plain stupid. Thank you.

Your opinion noted.

Bluetooth SUCKS compared to AirPlay. That said, just because HomePod doesn't support Bluetooth for audio playback now doesn't mean it won't support it in the future. The HomePod has Bluetooth 5.0 built-in. It already has Bluetooth hardware. All Apple needs to do is release a software update to turn it on. Will they? Who knows.

Again, Bluetooth sucks! I've had more problems with Bluetooth than I care to relive. In cars, with portable speakers, with headsets, etc. AirPlay is vastly superior. AirPlay 2 promises to add even more features and be just as reliable.

Personally, I think Apple should turn Bluetooth on in HomePod for all the Android users that are salivating for a HomePod but can't have one. You must have an Android phone, right? Because, if you have an iPhone what the hell are you bitching about? Use AirPlay and you're done. Go buy that HomePod now!

Mark

 

[johngordon]

Please forgive me for my bad English, its' not my native language.
So, let me try again. I am a huge Apple fan. I am using Apple devices for almost 10 years now.
And I will repeat it again......if Home .......Pod can't be used as a bluetooth speaker with any other device, not even with MBP it is just plain stupid. Thank you.

Assuming you have another Apple device, why is Bluetooth even an issue if you can just use AirPlay?

 

[bbrks]

Yes, I do have another Apple device, we also have 2 Mac Book Pros and two Windows lap tops. So, I would very much like to buy it, but unfortunately I won't, because I can't use it with all of my laptops. Great job Apple!!
Excellent device btw, but so limited, shame....

 

[lparsons21]

I don’t agree. I’m interested in the HomePod, it just isn’t ready fo me yet. For the same reason I don’t own a Sonos One, I don’t yet own a HomePod. And that is simply that the current product is all about the quality of playing music, and that isn’t a priority of mine.

 

[drgdickey]

Box it back up, return it and use the money to get a Sonos. That is how you get the most out of it.

I have about 6 Sonos Play or 1 and HomePod blows them away

 

[johngordon]

Yes, I do have another Apple device, we also have 2 Mac Book Pros and two Windows lap tops. So, I would very much like to buy it, but unfortunately I won't, because I can't use it with all of my laptops. Great job Apple!!
Excellent device btw, but so limited, shame....

It’s not that limited if you have Apple Music, or iTunes you don’t need a laptop.

Or, if you want to stream some radio, just use one of your MBPs - it hardly seems that inconvenient.

 

[Lab4Us]

None of these voice controls in the video are unique to homepod, they are Siri... in iPhone. Light dimming? That's with HomeKit devices linked to iPhone. Homepod feels more a way for Apple to market Siri and HomeKit, while not really putting anything else new out there with homepod

{except for superior audio quality}..

which HomePod is well.. a speaker.

Yes, because any company that releases a speaker with superior audio quality, that was marketed as a speaker first, is doomed to fail miserably...

 

[bbrks]

Which I would of course do, any time, but again, I can't use it with my other devices, so again, it's a shame. If just HomePod could be jailbroaken ....what a nice idea...

 

[Starfyre]

If Apple cared so much about privacy, and Homepod could work standalone without any connection to phone or internet to do smart automation.. that would be huge.

 

[citysnaps]

Which I would of course do, any time, but again, I can't use it with my other devices, so again, it's a shame. If just HomePod could be jailbroaken ....what a nice idea...

Clearly HomePod isn't the right device for you. Why not just get a Sonos, Echo, or any other speaker, move on, and be happy - they meet your needs. Apple didn't design HomePod for your particular requirements.

I stayed away from Sonos in the past because I couldn't stream audio sources from my Mac (YouTube, Logic projects, random audio, etc) without some hack.

I guess I could of said, "Great job Sonos!" But why? Much easier and more productive to simply move on.

 

[Keirasplace]

The point was that HomePod and Sonos Ones are in the same ball park in that regard. If sound quality is the concern then bookshelves and a sub are the way to go. If it’s the smarts that someone is after, then HomePod is what may be best in many cases.

The Sonos founder says they're not in the same ballpark and I've actually compared them and they're not in the same ballpark. Funny, how actual facts seem to not matter at all. No, not close to same ballpark especially when your not using it in a traditional living room space where you can sit just in front of the speakers. That's most use case in many houses.
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Complete with advertising Audiophile quality (laughable).

Omitting the fact you need a coaster.

You actually don't for most wood tables, just those with particular types of finishes that few have (because they're more delicate and fragile). You're Ikea wood tables don't need coasters/

 

[legacyb4]

Yes, I do have another Apple device, we also have 2 Mac Book Pros and two Windows lap tops. So, I would very much like to buy it, but unfortunately I won't, because I can't use it with all of my laptops. Great job Apple!!
Excellent device btw, but so limited, shame....

https://drfone.wondershare.com/airplay/airplay-for-windowns.html

 

[shartypants]

To get the most out of it, don't use Siri, it is useless.