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Lol $30 for something that cost apple around $216 to make. The person can still ask Siri to play what they want. Android users can buy the google home or echo. This isn’t for them.
It’s $216 at cost because Apple put a iPhone-class logic board in a $40 speaker/microphone array. Sales are in the tank because it’s too damn expensive for the features it offers.
 
Looking for an excuse to get another for a stereo pair downstairs.

Costco still had white in-stock...subtract 2% with the Costco Visa - 2% for Executive = nice deal!! :)
 
Tim Cook is still laughing at those who think it's a good deal.

Personally, I think it should be 30 bucks given its limited usability and connection. No Bluetooth support or an audio-in option.. WTF Most of the world uses Andriod.

God forbid someone comes over and wants to play some music. Tim Cook, bad CEO or worse CEO in Apple History?
It is the audio equivalent of the Apple TV. Proprietary, locked into Apple’s ecosystem etc. Nothing new. And it won’t stop it from selling.
 
I was just thinking that the problem Apple faces today is that they are raising prices for the same thing that is dropping in price and rising in comparable feature sets and reliability from competitors. Apple will always hold a special place in design and durability for the most part, but how much longer will that hold the market share? Gone are the days where the competition just didn't compare at all on feature/function. Heck I would say Alexa buries Siri. Many other phone manufacturers have a very decent phone at a much lower price. I mean outside of sending talking poop pictures? I have an all Apple technology stack minus my storage array, switches, and VM host in my home. I am "bought into" the ecosystem, but I can't see staying long term if this new trend continues. Apple either needs to step up again and start spending some of that money they have banked on making some amazing advances... or they need to be lowering prices, not raising them.

I love my HomePod in my living room and would be very tempted to buy another one at this price but I already have an Echo Show in my bedroom (it works with my Ring doorbell and security cameras to let me see all the doors in my house with getting out of bed).

I have to agree with you about Apple losing their edge when it comes to features & functions. I use both Siri and Alexa in my house and for how I use them, I prefer using Alexa. I remain loyal to Apple (aside from my Echos) mainly because of their privacy practices and how well all their products work with each other but you are right about Apple's competitors offering decent products at much better prices. In my opinion, the only product line where Apple absolutely dominates right now is the Apple Watch (but I am still waiting for Apple to turn on the ECG function for my AW4).

Regarding HomePod, as much as I like the sound quality, I have to admit I am a little disappointed that Apple hasn't done more with the incredible processing power they built into it. I really thought they had a grand plan to enable additional functionality when they put that much processing power into a smart speaker.
 
i was all set to get one, or maybe two of these to replace the speakers+airport express in my bedroom but i found out today you can't turn off the homepod's homekit hub functionality. this means it will eventually take over as my hub and it would be placed too far away from my BLE homekit accessories, rendering them useless. apple really needs to fix this.

i guess i could sign into the homepod with a different apple ID, but that's a lame hack.
 
It is the audio equivalent of the Apple TV. Proprietary, locked into Apple’s ecosystem etc. Nothing new. And it won’t stop it from selling.

uhm, it actually doesnt sell that well ... and uhm its A speaker ... locking up a speaker in an eco-system - doesnt that sound very strange ... even for the hardest fanboy?

airpods are not locked in, watch is - is a speaker closer to a watch or to airpods?
 
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Tim Cook is still laughing at those who think it's a good deal.

Personally, I think it should be 30 bucks given its limited usability and connection. No Bluetooth support or an audio-in option.. WTF Most of the world uses Andriod.

God forbid someone comes over and wants to play some music. Tim Cook, bad CEO or worse CEO in Apple History?
This is probably the most laughably absurd thing I’ve ever read online. Thanks for that
 



Apple's HomePod is now nine months old, and one of the best all-around deals this Black Friday is a $100 discount on the Siri-based smart speaker at Best Buy. With this sale, you can get the HomePod for $249.99, down from $349.99. Space Gray and White are both available, but Space Gray appears to be sold only in stores and White is available both in stores and online.

homepod-kitchen-3.jpg
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Best Buy's Black Friday sale represents the lowest-ever straight discount offered on HomePod, beating out regular $50 discounts at retailers like Costco and sales that dipped to around $280 for the speaker during eBay's sitewide sales over the past few months. If you've been interested in HomePod but hesitant due to its price, definitely visit Best Buy and check out the sale before it expires on Saturday, November 24.

Best Buy is the only retailer offering a discount on a new HomePod this Black Friday. If you're on the hunt for other AirPlay 2 speakers, check out our Black Friday Roundup for sales on Sonos One and more.

Update: If you have a Costco membership, they have the HomePod for $80 off in White and Space Gray

Article Link: Black Friday 2018: Get Apple's HomePod for $250 at Best Buy
[doublepost=1542955712][/doublepost]is this sale available in canada? It doesn't show up
 
Lol $30 for something that cost apple around $216 to make. The person can still ask Siri to play what they want. Android users can buy the google home or echo. This isn’t for them.

Yea, when I buy a product i want it to work in as many situations possible. Would you buy an Apple Car that only drove on Apple roads? That's what Homepod is.

Its utility greatly diminishes given is extreme limitation, and lack of hardware (audio Input) that has been a basic component in the audio world for 20 years.
[doublepost=1542957255][/doublepost]
This is probably the most laughably absurd thing I’ve ever read online. Thanks for that

You know what is laughable? A device that only plays Apple music or requires Airplay. No audio in? Laughable. No bluetooth? just plain silly.

Lack of integration with other online streaming? Stupid. Lack of integration with other operating systems (only using airplay)? Buyer beware

It's like Sony coming out and saying "only buy our special sony CDs that only work on our devices". The world would have laughed. Apple does it, Apple fan boys cheer. No cheering from here.

I take it back, Apple would have to pay me 30 dollars to keep it in my house.
 
~snip~
Did I mention I love my HomePods? I recently added a Philips Hue system and I really enjoy the convenience of having Siri turn on/off lights at my request. I installed a new pergola recently and rather than wire in a bunch of switches I simply added HomeKit compatible outlets. Bingo!

Mark

It's great that you love them and I genuinely hope you continue to enjoy, but to put your last points into perspective: My £20 echo dot has been performing that very same service for me for over a year.
 
Awesome price for these amazing sounding speakers! I ordered one from B&H Photo last week and have been listening to my music collection all over again. Loved it soooo damn much that I just ordered another one from Best Buys! Can't wait to pair them up in stereo mode!
Don't you think it's strange that in 2018 someone is looking forward to spending twice the money of their purchase to listen to their music in "stereo mode!", something we've had since the 1930s?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound
 
I picked one up in white from BB all they had left but I wanted white for my kitchen anyhow, I haven't heard them sp goin goin the reviews
 
Lol $30 for something that cost apple around $216 to make. The person can still ask Siri to play what they want. Android users can buy the google home or echo. This isn’t for them.
If it cost that much to manufacture then it's just another weird decision to not include 3,5 mm in and bluetooth for a dollar or two. The sound is very good, but with such limitations the price isn't even the issue me not buying one.
 
Until Siri becomes useful, Spotify support, and is <$200. I am not interested. At the moment it's an expensive paper weight the minute Apple decide to stop supporting it. Speakers are a long lasting technology. But with zero I/O and only Apple music I fear planned obsolesce with a premium price tag.
 
Personally, I have decided to take my first real plunge into home automation........and buy a Google Home Hub and Mini...Best Buy is having awesome deals on these products and they look a lot more useful than an expensive HomePod. I believe you can even stream Apple Music to them too, if I ever move back to that service. 2019 goal - to give Apple as little money as possible. :cool:
 
Tim Cook is still laughing at those who think it's a good deal.

Personally, I think it should be 30 bucks given its limited usability and connection. No Bluetooth support or an audio-in option.. WTF Most of the world uses Andriod.

God forbid someone comes over and wants to play some music. Tim Cook, bad CEO or worse CEO in Apple History?
If someone comes over they can just ask it to play whatever they want?
 
It's like Sony coming out and saying "only buy our special sony CDs that only work on our devices". The world would have laughed. Apple does it, Apple fan boys cheer. No cheering from here.

Well they actually did, guess who invented the CD (and the Blu-ray)..
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_disc

Didn’t work out for them with the Betamax though..
 
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