For once, I have no interest in an Apple device. Usually, I have at least a curiosity that may lead to a desire to purchase it, but if all this thing does is “play music better” with the same interface success as my iPhone has with... no thank you.
Could you explain this more? If this is the case, and it's a $350 device, I have a receiver that I can connect my phone via Bluetooth and play whatever I have available downloaded or streaming. What's the benefit to me?
If you're just looking for a device to turn lights on and off, or a voice assistant, go with the Google Home instead. That's what it's built for.
The focus of the HomePod is all about music. If you're looking to play music primarily, the HomePod is the best option.
If you're looking for an assistant to help with shopping and buying products, Amazon Echo is the way to go.
It's all about what you're looking for. Each device has a niche that it serves best. The silliness is that many see them as all the same. They fail to see that the Google Home is best at scheduling events and answering questions. They fail to see the Amazon Echo is best at shopping lists and finding products to buy. They fail to see the HomePod is best for those looking to play music. These devices may offer some similar features (the way all cars can drive on the road and get you where you're going) but each also has areas they're far better than the others (the way a Honda Civic gets better fuel economy and repair record than a Porsche 911).
It's about picking the device that's right for your particular need. Each is best for what it does best but none is best at everything and that's just fine.
You're missing the point of the HomePod if you think it's about Siri.
Apple hardly talked about Siri when announcing the HomePod. They hardly mention it on HomePod webpage too and what it talked about is all related to music.
HomePod is all about music. That's the entire focus and purpose of this device. Those comparing it to the Amazon Echo and Google Home are missing the point entirely. It's like comparing a Honda Civic, Porsche 911, and Jeep Wrangler 4x4. They'll all get you from point A to point B, but one is best at offroad, while another is best on the track, and another best at fuel economy.
I will completely disagree. I think they are clearly going after Alexa/google home/Sonos with Alexa. At $350 it is very overpriced for what it is. If it is about music, you are better off connection a pair of bookshelf speakers to an amazon dot.
At $350 it is very overpriced for what it is.
Maybe you need to go to the bathroom?What a bogus article. I smell something foul!
How do you know, were you personally there at the time?The engineer's didn't laugh when they heard Amazon had launched Echo... The apple engineers where copying Sonos all along.
No. You're just surmising and assuming by plucking BS out of thin air.Anyone looking back at this can see this.
I don't get the purpose of these "smart" speakers. I already have three different Bose wireless speakers. I can clip the latest model to my belt, use it in the shower and wash it if it gets dirty. Unless I rewire the entire house with "smart" appliances, the smart functions are useless.
Seems to me Apple is targeting Sonos and Bose. Are they really competing with the audiophile crowd?The homepod is DOA because it doesn't know what it wants to be. With siri it could take on Amazon, but those customers care more about price then sound quality. As a good speaker it will have to compete with high end speakers, of which Bose, JBL, and Harman Kardon don't really compete in. Yes those are famous brands, but they are not what audiophiles consider as high end. So what should I tell people? For casual listeners Sonos is good enough sound and it works with Alexa. Even the Echo is good enough and it's an AIO. If they care about premium sound they aren't even having this conversation because they will buy what matches their existing sound, or they want each component separate.
You essentially repeated your original statement. This doesn't explain why someone with the ability to play music wirelessly in their house already should be interested in buying this if its primary focus is playing music.
Is there any other reason to get this than to play music?
What evidence do we have that people really want a ‘smart’ speaker? Heck just a year or two ago bots were the hot thing and every company was showing off their chat bots and Apple was doomed because of it. And before that VR was the next big thing. How do we know smart speakers aren’t just a fad that the tech press will tire of when they move on to the next thing?I'm guessing that Apple's software engineers are working frantically to make the HomePod more useful in light of what Amazon, Google and Sonos are doing. Sound quality alone won't cut it. Users are accepting the sound quality from cheap Bluetooth speakers, ear buds and the speakers on our phones. The concept of "stereo" and "sound separation" are almost nonexistent to the masses. While it may not have been about Siri when they started it sure as hell has to be now.
"Oh yeah we thought of this first, we were totally working on it before Amazon, but we're just reaching market 3 years later because we've been so busy, but totally our idea, totally."
Seems to me Apple is targeting Sonos and Bose. Are they really competing with the audiophile crowd?
Strange that Apple are pre-announcing products these days. Not just this but the iMac Pro and though not announced the promised new Mac Mini and Mac Pro.
In the past Apple would just develop the products and release them. This worked well with their hype-based marketing strategy.
Is this Tim’s strategy to stop the leaks - by leaking himself?