AppleCare+ for HomePod Will Cost $39

[JediZenMaster]

The HomePod, set to be released on February 9, will be eligible for an AppleCare+ protection plan like all of Apple's devices.

AppleCare+ for the HomePod will be priced at $39, according to an internal memo sent to retail employees and shared by 9to5Mac. AppleCare+ for HomePod will extend warranty coverage for the HomePod from one year to two years, with two years of telephone support included.

The AppleCare+ coverage will provide support for two incidents of accidental damage, each subject to a $39 service fee. Accidental damage includes damage done to the HomePod by the user - repairs for manufacturing issues will be free.

Like AppleCare+ for Macs, Apple TVs, and iPads, coverage for AirPort devices is included in AppleCare+ coverage for HomePod. The AirPort must be purchased up to two years before the iPad or during the term of the HomePod's AppleCare+ coverage to be eligible for included repairs.

At $39, AppleCare+ for the HomePod is relatively inexpensive, and comparable in cost to AppleCare+ for the Apple TV, which is priced at $29.

AppleCare+ for HomePod will likely be available for purchase this Friday, right alongside the HomePod. Apple plans to begin accepting orders for the device on January 26, with an official launch to follow two weeks later on February 9.

Article Link: AppleCare+ for HomePod Will Cost $39

I think this is more than fair considering the scenarios of damage that could occur.

 

[coolfactor]

Would have ordered 2 if available in Canada and supported multiple users for reminders/calendars/Apple Music... now I have a large chunk of time to consider moving out of the Apple ecosystem after 17 years.

It will come to Canada, so that's a non-issue. But multi-user support should have been a feature from the start.

 

[robjulo]

So get a Sonos One. Half the price.

You know this for listening to music, right?

 

[kyleh22]

Care to explain how it has less features when it's suppose to be far better for playing good sound?

I believe he's referring to the deep integration Amazon has with a number of smart devices. Apple's Siri/Home Kit is very restrictive compared to Amazon's. Amazon's assistant also offers an almost endless list of skills that can be uploaded to it. Apple currently doesn't even compare.

Yes, Homekit/Siri may be more secure than Amazon but there is no arguing that you can do more with Apple.

In regards to sound quality I'm curious if you've heard them side by side. I say this because i've been quite impressed with the new echo powered by Dolby. I have yet to hear a Homepod.

 

[Niklas_nick]

Ok two years (or more) of warranty on manufacturing issues should be standard (it is in Europe per law) but $39 for two years of what effectively is insurance on repair/replacement with a $39 service fee might be fair pricing for once by Apple depending on how clumsy you are.

 

[The Game 161]

I believe he's referring to the deep integration Amazon has with a number of smart devices. Apple's Siri/Home Kit is very restrictive compared to Amazon's. Amazon's assistant also offers an almost endless list of skills that can be uploaded to it. Apple currently doesn't even compare.

Yes, Homekit/Siri may be more secure than Amazon but there is no arguing that you can do more with Apple.

In regards to sound quality I'm curious if you've heard them side by side. I say this because i've been quite impressed with the new echo powered by Dolby. I have yet to hear a Homepod.

Depends how you use these smart home apps.

I control my light outside and the hall way and bedroom with homekit so does exactly what it should do and homepod with hey siri will control all of that for me without worrying.

So for the basics it does exactly what it's suppose to do compared to amazon/alexa

 

[maceric]

Would have ordered 2 if available in Canada and supported multiple users for reminders/calendars/Apple Music... now I have a large chunk of time to consider moving out of the Apple ecosystem after 17 years.

I'm curious how this niche product is swaying you with that much influence to leave the Apple ecosystem… as that decision will cost you more to replace devices and use an all Google or Amazon system, right? And being an American, I envy your Canadian citizenship.

 

[randyhudson]

You know this for listening to music, right?

And Amazon's and Google's speakers aren't??

 

[Sasparilla]

Nice to have the AC+ option...although this doesn't strike me as a device that really needs the extra insurance. Course it is Apple and generation 1.

 

[Icaras]

Less than 1/4 the features of the Amazon Echo/Google Home at 5 times the price, where do I sign up!

Vastly superior sound and iCloud account integration? Hell yes where do I sign up!?

 

[citysnaps]

I wish Apple would just warranty everything for 2 years standard instead of nickle and diming. Their 250 billion cash hoard can handle the x% of defective devices.

I see no problem with that. Could easily be done by raising prices a little.

 

[JediZenMaster]

Nice to have the AC+ option...although this doesn't strike me as a device that really needs the extra insurance. Course it is Apple and generation 1.

Toddlers, Kitchen incidents.

 

[ClockWork72]

You ain’t going nowhere who you trying to convince.

Would have ordered 2 if available in Canada and supported multiple users for reminders/calendars/Apple Music... now I have a large chunk of time to consider moving out of the Apple ecosystem after 17 years.

[doublepost=1516752295][/doublepost]I agree unless the audio on this thing Is ridiculously better than anything I’ve ever heard then yeah but it looks like it’s just a speaker. That doesn’t cut it at that price point. I’ll wait and see the reviews once they come in but definelty not a pre-order for me.

This is a very cool device, and I want one. But for $349, it just isn't going to happen. The JBL bluetooth speaker I bought for about $70 connects to my iPhone, and my iPhone has Siri on it, so that's pretty much good enough. I mean even if it was $199 I might drop my VISA, but at $349... I just can't do it.

 

[CLS1]

Toddlers, Kitchen incidents.

Common sense would tell you not to place the device within arms reach of toddlers. I did the same with all my electronics(Raised 4 kids). Which begs the question... where the do you plan on placing the Homepod to where a toddler could have access to it? On the floor? LOL. Same goes for all electronics in the kitchen with possible water hazards and or food splash, etc...

If the Homepod is as advertised, why would one need to place it in the Kitchen anyway? I thought that was the whole purpose of the Beam-forming technology. Regardless of where the speaker is placed, your supposed to get a 360 degree audio experience? Or am I understanding that incorrectly? I'm not an audiophile in any sense of the word.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I wish Apple would just warranty everything for 2 years standard instead of nickle and diming. Their 250 billion cash hoard can handle the x% of defective devices.

While I agree $39 for AP+ is NOT bad for a $400 device over the lifetime of the product which even still most will keep for over 5yrs.

Google Home Mini for $29 with a $25 gift card. I'll take my $4 pod.

where are you getting that gift card, BestBuy? If so you'll not be able to use the gift card from the purchase onto the same purchase ... so it's not going to be $4 but $29. Enjoy using that pathetic speaker to listen to music fully as it doesn't fill the room. such a silly comparison.

 

[Mudodonbond]

Might mean there's not much in it to go wrong . . . It'd be nice if AC for MBPs weren't so expensive - and necessary.

I mean think about it. It’s really a stationary product. The MacBook pros and other Apple laptops have more expensive Apple care because you take them everywhere which means that there is a higher chance of you doing something to it vs it sitting on your desk like the iMac. They know that people would buy it for the laptops which means they make more money from it.

 

[Shivetya]

Honestly you know what I want it to do? Play AM/FM as well just by telling Siri. Otherwise no.

 

[AppleScruff1]

You're right, it doesn't make sense if you're only using it as a "speaker", but as a Siri-enabled hub, it's an entirely a different beast.

Since it is Siri enabled it will be a beast, unfortunately not in a good way.

 

[citysnaps]

I agree unless the audio on this thing Is ridiculously better than anything I’ve ever heard then yeah but it looks like it’s just a speaker. That doesn’t cut it at that price point. I’ll wait and see the reviews once they come in but definelty not a pre-order for me.

Just a speaker? Did you miss the part about HomePod employing adaptive beaforming (via arrayed drivers and microphones) and dynamic self-equalization, which will drive superior sound?

 

[cknibbs]

I'm curious how this niche product is swaying you with that much influence to leave the Apple ecosystem… as that decision will cost you more to replace devices and use an all Google or Amazon system, right? And being an American, I envy your Canadian citizenship.

In this house it isn’t niche. We have 4 young kids and our hands are always full. I find myself on a regular basis wanting to just bark commands out instead of pulling out my phone. Setting reminders before heading out the door, playing some music while my hands are full of dishwater, pausing the tv so the kids pay attention to what we have to say... maybe I’ve come to expect too much of Apple over the years? I figured multi-user support for reminders/calendars/Apple Music was kind of a no-brainer. You are right though... changing everything over would be quite expensive. It’s definitly difficult to escape Apples grasp. Also - I love being Canadian

 

[itsbennett]

Why would anyone need AC+ for this device.

kids and electronics don't go well together. i'd imagine little timmy causing some sort of accidental damage to this wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility.

 

[Onexy]

I think this is more than fair considering the scenarios of damage that could occur.

Doesn't make sense for something which is safe at home and isn't expensive like iPhone or Mac to begin with.
[doublepost=1516783823][/doublepost]

Just a speaker? Did you miss the part about HomePod employing adaptive beaforming (via arrayed drivers and microphones) and dynamic self-equalization, which will drive superior sound?

Until now it was only a Keynote slide

 

[Skittlescatsmeow]

Google Home Mini for $29 with a $25 gift card. I'll take my $4 pod.

Where is that deal?

 

[BvizioN]

HomePod Will Cost $39

Wow.... much cheaper then I thought it would be.

 

[FelixDerKater]

Wow.... much cheaper then I thought it would be.

That's the AppleCare price, not the cost of the device...