Apple Music only for now, unless they open it up in the future. If you currently have one of those products, not sure why you would prefer this.
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Apple's Early Version of HomePod Stood Three Feet Tall and Packed Dozens of Speakers
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Apple Music only for now, unless they open it up in the future. If you currently have one of those products, not sure why you would prefer this.
This piece doesn’t make Apple look good so if it’s a marketing leak then Apple marketing failed.
This thing is a front-end for Apple Music, and Apple Music alone. When you already locked into Apple's ecosystem, HomePod might add some value to it. For everybody else... Not so much.
They're not going after the high-end audio crowd. As with nearly every product Apple sells, they're making a product for the general consumer. The 99% of the market. Targeting the largest group means the most potential buyers. Just look at the iPhone, iPad, MBA, and more. They make products for the everyday user.
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Yup. It's a product for the millions of people that subscribe to Apple Music. For those people, it's an awesome option to allow them to enjoy music even more in their home. For the more than 30 million Apple Music subscribers, this looks like a good buy.
It will be interesting to see who the market ends up being for the Home Pod. Since I already have an AppleTV hooked up to my surround sound system, I don't need it for the music. But that's me. There are a lot of people who purchased the Bose single unit systems that use Bluetooth - but that's all they do.
Maybe there is something unique to the beamforming technology that was pioneered in Apple's AirPort Extreme that can create an aural experience that rivals much more expensive speakers. Like the AirPods that were panned until people tried them, the Home Pod could provide a better experience.
I'm no sound engineer or audiophile but how the speaker array is configured and the software to respond to a room's dynamics could prove to be an enormous advantage - much the same as how a software became the big differentiator with smart phones.
Maybe there is something unique to the beamforming technology that was pioneered in Apple's AirPort Extreme that can create an aural experience that rivals much more expensive speakers. Like the AirPods that were panned until people tried them, the Home Pod could provide a better experience.
I'm no sound engineer or audiophile but how the speaker array is configured and the software to respond to a room's dynamics could prove to be an enormous advantage - much the same as how a software became the big differentiator with smart phones.
Why? When does Apple just 'drop' prices? It's Expensive, yes. But the HomePod is aiming to bring premium sound quality into the household. If someone wanted a cheaper alternative, those are readily available. The HomePod isn't likely intended for everyone.
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That’s my point. I don’t think Apple is targeting audiophiles. Same thing with headphones. Not their audience.
The more important question for people who actually buy those products is: Does any of this matter? Does anybody care? "Alexa, connect my speaker. Alexa, play Peace Sells".
Amazon is mopping the floor with Apple here. Articles like this one or just Apple sponsored damage control.
Wouldn't a genuine stereo system be better for playing music instead of a single speaker that's attempting to recreate stereo playback?
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sonos-...MIv7aJ3onQ1wIVgRCBCh3_oQ8jEAYYAiABEgIB8vD_BwE
That has far more support than anything the homepod will offer in the near future.
Audiophiles are not Apple’s target market. There are plenty of companies out there who sell to that market with people who are willing to spend $2K for stereo interconnect cables.
You mean in terms of sound? They speak like they are aiming for the audiophile crowd. Sonos builds speakers whose sound profile can be match, and can be picked to disolve into a room. There is no word from Apple on how the HomePod will work when you have two or three of these things in the same room.
If someone considers Bose as "good" couldn't they just plug a Bose speaker into a dot? At least then they could make them vanish into the background.
Exactly. The person truly looking for a music first option is willing to piece together a high quality speaker system for $350. They are two different customers. Amazon and google understand this, and that is a large reason they went with serviceable speakers vs high quality $350+ options.
I won't pretend this won't sell like crazy because it has the Apple name attached to it, but the market looking for a smart speaker isn't the same as the ones looking for high quality audio. The two together is a niche market.
Unless Apple invests 1000s of more hours and millions in cash, Siri will never be a personal assistant. She’s a toy.
Alexa is really a unique and fun experience. Bordering on nearly transparent.
Alexa is really a unique and fun experience. Bordering on nearly transparent.
So... I don't know what's weirder; that you wear a belt in the shower or that things get dirty while in your shower.
I hear ya, bro. Ericsson and Nokia were mopping Apple’s floor at one time, as well. Especially before Apple entered their market.
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Yes, but in Apple's defense this wasn't really built to sell. This was released to allow 3rd party venders justification to build expensive accessories. Of which Apple collected royalties.
Amazon launched its Echo speaker integrated with its voice-activated personal assistant Alexa, which is considered a hit with customers.
... but the Apple Watch, which was selling 3-5x, was considered a flop with customers.
the $349 speaker won't be ready in time for the holiday shopping season, which could lead customers to purchase an Echo or Google Home instead.
If you're in the market for an HomePod you're not buying an horribly sounding Echo. Maybe the funds may be diverged to a nice Apple Watch instead
I'm in Canada. Echo finally is entering our market on December 5th. I would prefer a homepod, but Apple won't be releasing in Canada for who knows how long, so i just ordered an echo. I already own 2 apple watches I dont see how they compete with a speaker based smart home assistant.
BTW hey SIRI on phone/watch is terrible. I can't wait to see if the echo is as good as everyone says at picking up my weather / music /smart home request from across the room.
But you don't know what Apple has invested already into Siri as it is, so I'm not sure where you come up with "thousands more of hours and millions in cash. "
Essentially, all these virtual assistants do the same thing. I don't find Siri to be a toy, I find it to be productive when I need it to be, but it does have its downfalls, just like the other voice assistants do as well. Siri works for me, but perhaps not for others.
As someone with an Alexa, I have to say I can't wait for HomePod to ship. Don't get me wrong, Alexa works for some things but I'd rather listen to music through a tin can attached to a string than listen to it on an Echo. HomePod hits the right note with me (pun intended). I'm curious to see if two of them in a room would work well as pseudo surround for an entertainment system?
Um, no. People would rather build one, but when they can't (because of time, confidence, etc.) so they give in and buy Dell, HP, and Apple.
Based on the number of Dot's I have seen people buy this year, I would disagree.
Like the Echo.
People buy Sonos because it's one of the few syncronized room solutions that also uses good enough speakers that, and this is important, disappear when installed.
That's what most people I know use Echo/Dot for... that, and playing back music. I've always said the smart speaker category is a solution looking for a problem... they're all dumb and frustrating to use except for the most basic commands (which Siri does just as well, btw) and the sound quality is dreadful for music.
That said, the sound quality is improving making "smart" speakers more purposeful as a music listening device with the ability to execute basic functions.
If you want a digital assistant, the Apple Watch is a far superior option IMO.