Barclays Says AirPods Continue to Grow, HomePod Sales Have Been Underwhelming

[DoubleFlyaway]

I want a version of the HomePod for people who aren’t audiophiles. I mainly want it for the Siri, because I’d rather have something in the Apple ecosystem if I’m going to get a smart speaker.

 

[Abazigal]

I still remember all the criticism the Apple Watch and the Airpods received when they were first released. It will be interesting to come back here in a year’s time to see how the HomePod does.

One underestimates apple to their own detriment.

 

[Heineken]

I still remember all the criticism the Apple Watch and the Airpods received when they were first released. It will be interesting to come back here in a year’s time to see how the HomePod does.

One underestimates apple to their own detriment.

I wouldn’t want a different speaker, not anymore.

 

[dampfnudel]

View attachment 753868

Can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want this entirely competent assistant for the low price of $350

Maybe someday Siri won’t be such a serious crutch for any device it’s paired with. Who does Apple have to hire to make some significant progress?

 

[Bestevaer]

The HomePod is more than half finished.

But if by "half" you mean "less than 100%", I think the answer for me is yes. After more than 35 years of using computers, I have become accustomed to products gaining abilities that weren't ready (or in some cases conceived) at the time I purchased the hardware.

It's a speaker. It's for playing audio. Just like the iPhone is a phone, for calling a plumber whose name you look up in the yellow pages. Except... they also have the ability to do other things because of the computer software and specialized hardware that has nothing to do with playing audio or making a voice call. Computer software is usually updatable. So more and more, you'll find your car and refrigerator and TV gaining functionality over time.

That doesn't mean you should wait until all the updates are complete before buying. Because you'll find yourself without a car or refrigerator or TV or phone or speaker, and you'll be too scared or disgusted to buy a new one for the certainty of getting one that's "half" finished.

If your needs are just a speaker then the HP would be ok. If you want it to connect it to your tv in the future, you can't. If you want stereo music (which in my opinion is mandatory for good audio quality) future update will probably provide it.

The problem with apple is, then when you are deeply entrenched in the eco system going for an option which ticks all your boxes isn't always easy. If for examples Google Home doesn't tick all my boxes, there are hundreds of alternatives which at the moment of sales will tick all my boxes.

 

[doelcm82]

If your needs are just a speaker then the HP would be ok. If you want it to connect it to your tv in the future, you can't. If you want stereo music (which in my opinion is mandatory for good audio quality) future update will probably provide it.

The problem with apple is, then when you are deeply entrenched in the eco system going for an option which ticks all your boxes isn't always easy. If for examples Google Home doesn't tick all my boxes, there are hundreds of alternatives which at the moment of sales will tick all my boxes.

I don't really have requirements. I had some idea of how I would use the HP, but I mainly bought it to see what it could do. I do that sometimes (my Glowforge arrives tomorrow), and occasionally regret it, but I don't regret buying the HomePod. It's nice to have music playing, but I rarely did before because I don't like having my iPhone occupied. Now I can say "Play Disney Radio", or if the kids request a specific song I can do that, too.

Hey Siri. Play Scooby Doo Pa! Pa!
Hey Siri. Play Love is an Open Door

I actually use it more than I expected to.

I didn't have a checkbox for hooking it up to my TV, so that's not really an issue (though I can use it with my AppleTV).

I don't think it's possible to buy a speaker that ticks all of everyone's boxes. Person A will want a portable, battery powered speaker that they can take out in the back yard, and Person B will want a speaker that wires directly to their TV. Even then, if Person A is jamming in the back yard, then Person B has to watch Justice League without the speaker.

If you have hundreds of alternatives that satisfy all of your requirements, then chances are you only want a dumb speaker. Which is fine, for you. Unless you meant you'd be buying hundreds of speakers to tick all of your boxes.

 

[n-evo]

Have yet to see anyone wearing those cigarette butts in public. If it's really true people are buying them then they must be using them in private.

I see people with AirPods frequently in Amsterdam.

 

[Baymowe335]

No sh* the HomePod has been a disappointment in sales, having been pre-announced months before a much delayed and mostly quiet release without half of it's main features intact. Tons of surprise and edge of the seat excitement in that failed release strategy, lol. The biggest buzz kill announcement and follow-through of the year. Who want's to jump on that half baked tv dinner?

Let's just hope they are hard at work with a wholesale replacement for Siri. It is long overdue and they must be keenly aware really how bad it is by now.

Bruh, we’ve been over this. Did you actually read the article instead of just headline? The article clearly states they don’t know how many have been sold.

This is clickbait like every doom and gloom article for Apple.

 

[sblemmy]

Hey dude I saw your post and I was always annoyed about how you seemingly had to Airplay music to your HomePod if you want to control it with your phone. However, I figured out you don’t. If you tap the airplay button and swipe until you see the HomePod and select it, you can then control your HomePod Sonos app like style. Check out this article for a picture. https://9to5mac.com/2018/03/09/review-homepod/

Starting with the first picture, the AirPlay/controller distinction picture is the 6th.

Thanks! This might solve a lot of my current frustration with HomePod, since I already sold the Sonos.

 

[Raketemensch]

HomePod is only as good as Siri, which is to say -- not very good.

I was ecstatic when Siri first came out, but Apple has completely let it languish while Amazon and Google have made tons of progress. It's kind of sad, really.

I've been very happy with the Apple ecosystem, with a house full of laptops, iphones, ipads and an appletv, but the digital assistant side of things really needs a boost. For the first time in over a decade I'm considering moving on, and the HomePod is a perfect example of why.

 

[groovyd]

Bruh, we’ve been over this. Did you actually read the article instead of just headline? The article clearly states they don’t know how many have been sold.

This is clickbait like every doom and gloom article for Apple.

actually I did read the entire article and it doesn't confront my opinion as to why the HomePod sales appear 'underwhelming'.

 

[Baymowe335]

actually I did read the entire article and it doesn't confront my opinion as to why the HomePod sales appear 'underwhelming'.

They can’t be underwhelming when literally no one but Apple has any clue how many have been sold. Pay attention.

 

[citysnaps]

Checked out the HomePod again at the Apple store tonight. I had to literally yell Hey Siri to get it to respond, and that wasn't a complete success all the time. The employee claims that you can activate it across a large room without yelling. In my two times demoing the HomePod, I did not find it easy to activate Siri on a consistent basis. Grtanted, the Apple Store is a big noisy place, but yelling at the speaker from 4 feet and it not responding? And I'm being told that I can speak in a normal tone across a room with the speaker at full volume and it will respond? I've yet to see it work that way at the Apple Store.

Yet it sounds pretty good in that noisy environment. I'm just leery of Siri. It was frustrating both times demoing just as it is frustrating on my iPhone and iPad.

Why not purchase one and try it for 14 days in your normal non-Apple store home listening environment?

If you like it and it responds to your voice at normal levels (mine does, for both me and my wife), keep it. If it doesn't, send it back.
[doublepost=1520805807][/doublepost]

actually I did read the entire article and it doesn't confront my opinion as to why the HomePod sales appear 'underwhelming'.

What exactly has informed your opinion about HomePod sales being "underwhelming?" Do you have access to internal Apple documents? Any other reliable information? How did you conclude sales are underwhelming?

 

[Bswails]

I don't think anyone expected HomePod sales to be impressive. Probably the v2 product when they can introduce a cheaper (but still high quality) speaker with an improved Siri. Lack of Spotify kills it for our house. Not to mention you need an iPhone. We are Android on our phones even though we have Macs.

As far as Apple being "doomed"? Hardly. The problem is the other guys just don't have their act together either. Either Microsoft or Google could be a threat to Apple's dominance, if they really sweated the details.

Siri can get better on V1...the speaker is great..it’s the “smart” aspect that needs work. The A8 chip is more than capable of whatever Siri upgrade is needed to make this worth its price tag. I’m hoping Apple does not release a new HomePod every year like it’s other devices
[doublepost=1520816060][/doublepost]

Why not purchase one and try it for 14 days in your normal non-Apple store home listening environment?

If you like it and it responds to your voice at normal levels (mine does, for both me and my wife), keep it. If it doesn't, send it back.
[doublepost=1520805807][/doublepost]

What exactly has informed your opinion about HomePod sales being "underwhelming?" Do you have access to internal Apple documents? Any other reliable information? How did you conclude sales are underwhelming?

Facts! Apple is doing a horrible job showcasing the HomePod at its stores.

 

[citysnaps]

Facts! Apple is doing a horrible job showcasing the HomePod at its stores.

Outside of Apple building special listening rooms inside their stores, it's pretty much an impossible problem.

Most modern Apple stores are huge, constructed of highly reflective materials, and can have many dozens of people inside. The acoustics and noise environment are terrible. I don't see how anyone can possibly evaluate any speaker there.

Best just to purchase one and try it at home. And then decide if it stays or gets returned. That's what I did. And after two days of use knew it was a keeper.

 

[Bswails]

Outside of Apple building special listening rooms inside their stores, it's pretty much an impossible problem.

Most modern Apple stores are huge, constructed of highly reflective materials, and can have many dozens of people inside. The acoustics and noise environment are terrible. I don't see how anyone can possibly evaluate any speaker there.

Best just to purchase one and try it at home. And then decide if it stays or gets returned. That's what I did. And after two days of use knew it was a keeper.

Diddo
[doublepost=1520825651][/doublepost]

I don't really have requirements. I had some idea of how I would use the HP, but I mainly bought it to see what it could do. I do that sometimes (my Glowforge arrives tomorrow), and occasionally regret it, but I don't regret buying the HomePod. It's nice to have music playing, but I rarely did before because I don't like having my iPhone occupied. Now I can say "Play Disney Radio", or if the kids request a specific song I can do that, too.

Hey Siri. Play Scooby Doo Pa! Pa!
Hey Siri. Play Love is an Open Door

I actually use it more than I expected to.

I didn't have a checkbox for hooking it up to my TV, so that's not really an issue (though I can use it with my AppleTV).

I don't think it's possible to buy a speaker that ticks all of everyone's boxes. Person A will want a portable, battery powered speaker that they can take out in the back yard, and Person B will want a speaker that wires directly to their TV. Even then, if Person A is jamming in the back yard, then Person B has to watch Justice League without the speaker.

If you have hundreds of alternatives that satisfy all of your requirements, then chances are you only want a dumb speaker. Which is fine, for you. Unless you meant you'd be buying hundreds of speakers to tick all of your boxes.

Watching my 2 year old daughter ask Siri to play anything from Michael Jackson to September from both Earth Wind and Fire and the trolls sound track and Siri respond and play the song was the reason why it stays in my house! It would be nice to see Siri get smart enough to know who’s talking to it and reply with the users name. It made her feel really special just to know it understood what she said
[doublepost=1520825739][/doublepost]

I see people with AirPods frequently in Amsterdam.

In NYC you would think they came with new iPhones.

 

[idrewuk]

I have AirPods but still find them embarrassing to wear in public. I wish they came in dark grey, the white feels too noticeable. The fit is okay in one ear and feels like it's ready to drop out in the other. Would be amazing if they came up with a version like Apple's in-ear headphones, which I love - something that goes more firmly into your ear. I currently find the sound quality pretty average, they let in a lot of ambient noise. But, the convenience is something that can't be knocked... it's brilliant to just pop them in and you're ready to go.

As for HomePod, I've found it really nice to use, especially when watching content via Apple TV. Siri is very limited but we're all waiting for something 'significant' on that front. Wonder if they're even aware how bad it is...

 

[jordanm86]

I bought two homepods (one for upstairs and one for downstairs) and ended up taking one back.

Its' lack of EQ/Bass Control makes it unusable in 80/90% of living conditions. Unless you live by yourself in a large, open-plan detached house it is awful for music - bordering on anti-social.

I can get away with the one in our living room due to the layout but the one upstairs would literally make the light-fittings below it shake.

As a long time apple-fan and owner of pretty much every device they have, I am finding myself having to admit that they are starting to lose their way

 

[Phone Junky]

I get your point, but yes they do. There’s something really odd and off-putting to me about the way Airpods look.

Funny thing is, I can't see them when I'm using them and I don't care what other people think. I guess I'm not good enough looking to be vain.
[doublepost=1520856460][/doublepost]

Its' lack of EQ/Bass Control makes it unusable in 80/90% of living conditions. Unless you live by yourself in a large, open-plan detached house it is awful for music - bordering on anti-social.

That's my thought on this whole HomePod thing. Music listening is usually a personal thing. Rarely do you have a whole family wanting to listen to the same music. Most on here say the number one reason for owning a HomePod is to listen to music and not as a personal assistant, since Siri is lacking. With the bass being prominent as described by users, how could you not be bothering others in the house with your music?

 

[MacBergin]

Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis and his associates recently spent a week in Asia meeting with companies within Apple's supply chain, and today they shared research on iPhones, AirPods, and the HomePod gathered from their trip.

In terms of AirPods, the analysts expect Apple will continue to increase production of the wireless earphones. Barclays forecasts that AirPods shipments will likely approach 30 million units in 2018, within the ballpark of KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's estimate of 26-28 million units.

AirPods remain backordered on Apple's online store, with orders placed today estimated for delivery within 12 to 13 days in the United States and several other countries. The wireless earphones have been in short supply since December after availability briefly improved during the fall months.

The lengthy shipping estimates for AirPods suggests Apple may still be having difficulties manufacturing the wireless earphones, can't keep up with strong demand, or is dealing with some combination of those two factors.

Apple doesn't disclose AirPod sales, but chief executive Tim Cook said the company's total revenue from wearables was up almost 70 percent year over year. Apple's broad "Other Products" category, including AirPods, Apple TV, and Apple Watch, set a new all-time record with $5.5 billion in revenue last quarter.

In contrast with the popularity of AirPods, Barclays says HomePod sales have been "underwhelming" so far. The research note says Apple planned an initial production run of 6-7 million units, but it's unclear how many have sold.

Apple will soon release a wireless charging case for AirPods to be used with its upcoming AirPower charging mat. Beyond that, Bloomberg reported that Apple may release new AirPods with "Hey Siri" functionality as early as this year, and a subsequent pair with water resistance as early as next year.

Barclays also believes Apple will release a new pair of AirPods in early 2019, but it's unclear if they are referring to the pair with "Hey Siri" functionality or the subsequent water-resistant ones.

And for the HomePod, a relatively sketchy rumor out of China suggests Apple may release a smaller version of the speaker later this year for between $150 and $200 in the United States. No further details were provided.

The research note corroborates Apple's widely rumored plans to launch a new iPhone X, a so-called iPhone X Plus, and a lower-priced 6.1-inch iPhone X-like device with some design compromises such as an LCD instead of OLED display, 3GB of RAM instead of 4GB, a single-lens rear camera, and no 3D Touch.

An excerpt from the research note, edited slightly for clarity:The information about the new iPhones is entirely in line with research previously shared by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Article Link: Barclays Says AirPods Continue to Grow, HomePod Sales Have Been Underwhelming

I love my HomePod and will be purchasing 2 more this year so I may have one on every level of my house. Sirir controls my lights and my music. I Have Echo on every level which use to control my lights but now I just use it for information the Siri may not like to provide.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

It's because Siri is a smoking pile of horse sh** and the speaker won't work with Spotify. Apparently Apple has forgotten who its customers are.

 

[iPadCary]

Of course sales are underwhelming. It's a stupid product.
Apple should never have gotten into it in the first place. Like the watch.
Thanks Tim.

 

[n-evo]

In NYC you would think they came with new iPhones.

Yeah same here. During the holiday season you couldn't get them anywhere anymore. All sold out.

 

[diamond3]

It's because Siri is a smoking pile of horse sh** and the speaker won't work with Spotify. Apparently Apple has forgotten who its customers are.

Airplay still works from Spotify.

Checked out the HomePod again at the Apple store tonight. I had to literally yell Hey Siri to get it to respond, and that wasn't a complete success all the time. The employee claims that you can activate it across a large room without yelling. In my two times demoing the HomePod, I did not find it easy to activate Siri on a consistent basis. Grtanted, the Apple Store is a big noisy place, but yelling at the speaker from 4 feet and it not responding? And I'm being told that I can speak in a normal tone across a room with the speaker at full volume and it will respond? I've yet to see it work that way at the Apple Store.

Yet it sounds pretty good in that noisy environment. I'm just leery of Siri. It was frustrating both times demoing just as it is frustrating on my iPhone and iPad.

I would say in my own experience, that has not at all been the case. I feel like I don't have to talk any louder than I would talk to a person that is right there. I can be downstairs and yell upstairs at the HomePod and have it pick it up. I've even been in the shower and the HomePod is outside the bathroom in the bedroom and can change the songs without issues. I've had limited experience with the full size Alexa and it fills like I have to yell to my grandpa for it to hear me.

 

[Huffboys1]

Yeah same here. During the holiday season you couldn't get them anywhere anymore. All sold out.

I got a pair in November. I called and checked online every place around where I lived. Finally found a small Best Buy cell phone store inside of a mall that just got in 20 pair. I quickly scooted over there to pick up a pair. About a month later I was looking to get my wife a set for Christmas. No such luck.