Deals: Apple's HomePod on Sale for $204.99 at OWC ($94 Off) [Updated]

[sub150]

But that $10 BT speaker doesn't employ multi-speaker automatic adaptive beam-forming to equalize room acoustics, providing superior sound. Nor does it have an adaptive beam-formed away of microphones so that it can precisely locate a user's voice, at a normal level across a room, for siri music commands in a noisy environment.

That $10 BT speaker also doesn't work autonomously, without the need to work with a phone/tablet/computer for playing Apple Music.

In other words, it does more than what a BT speaker does, and was not designed to compete with BT speakers. Two very different devices.

You are totally missing the point. There are two parts to sound...the source and the output. The output by the Homepod is obviously miles better than a $10 BT speaker and justifies the price.

However, if a $10 BT speaker can cram in a few different source locations (bluetooth and usually 3.5 line in), you would think a $300, $100M R&D budget speaker can take something other than proprietary AirPlay.

There is literally no way to connect them to a Windows PC. Do you know how many people use a Windows PC for work (1. Mac Keyboards didn't work for 4 years; 2. So many business apps run terribly on MacOS).

The whole point is BT is actually already in a homepod but Apple hasn't configured the software to let it be used. This is a massively popular open standard, something other Apple products use (!!), but the Homepod doesn't allow it.

 

[bearda]

Can someone please explain the music service limitations? Is it just that you cannot say "hey Siri, play my favorite channel on Spotify?" or is it that you cannot even play Spotify to a HomePod from your iPhone, MacBook, etc?

If it is just a Siri limitation then personally I could care less, if playback is blocked from any device then I see the problem. I rarely ask Siri to do anything.

- You can't voice command it to play anything from Spotify, only Apple Music. This is pretty much the same on any Apple device, though.
- You cannot play to the HomePod within the Spotify app the way you can with Echo devices. It doesn't show uyp in the device dropdown.
- What you CAN do is tell your MacBook/iPhone/whatever to stream ALL audio to the HomePod via AirPlay, and then start playing via Spotify. You get no control over anything from the HomePod, though (via voice or the button).

 

[icanhazmac]

- What you CAN do is tell your MacBook/iPhone/whatever to stream ALL audio to the HomePod via AirPlay, and then start playing via Spotify. You get no control over anything from the HomePod, though (via voice or the button).

Thank you! That does seem unnecessarily restrictive.

 

[benshive]

maybe playing the audio of something on YouTube, not necessarily music? I do it often.

You could do that. The HomePod shows as an output device on your Mac, iPad, iPhone, etc.

 

[Aston441]

I always forget this thing exists, until I read something about it. Then when I’m done reading, I immediately forget about it again.

“Alexa, play some music.”

🦾

 

[CarpalMac]

I always forget this thing exists, until I read something about it. Then when I’m done reading, I immediately forget about it again.

“Alexa, play some music.”

🦾

"Google, play music on Kitchen" and the Spotify track I was just listening to on my phone carries on playing from where it left off, on my Sonos speakers.

And they say that only Apple can do ecosystems.

 

[citysnaps]

You are totally missing the point. There are two parts to sound...the source and the output. The output by the Homepod is obviously miles better than a $10 BT speaker and justifies the price.

However, if a $10 BT speaker can cram in a few different source locations (bluetooth and usually 3.5 line in), you would think a $300, $100M R&D budget speaker can take something other than proprietary AirPlay.

There is literally no way to connect them to a Windows PC. Do you know how many people use a Windows PC for work (1. Mac Keyboards didn't work for 4 years; 2. So many business apps run terribly on MacOS).

The whole point is BT is actually already in a homepod but Apple hasn't configured the software to let it be used. This is a massively popular open standard, something other Apple products use (!!), but the Homepod doesn't allow it.

You're missing the point. It's not for Windows users. Or, for people looking for a BT speaker.

 

[Rocko99991]

65$ is, what i would see a fair price.
and if they spy at me, it should be free!

That's why they practically give away googles version.

 

[BF1M]

Grabbed another pair. At that price it’s a good deal. They claim to be new so....
[automerge]1588020301[/automerge]

Price for the space gray is $238, not $207.

It was 207 this morning.

 

[BJMRamage]

I was hoping to play audio from sources other than AppleMusic easier than just outputting ALL audio from a device.

I like the idea of the speaker and thought it could eb nice to have to listen to music while we are working and schooling from home but not when it would need ALL AUDIO output or ONLY Apple Music.

 

[sub150]

You're missing the point. It's not for Windows users. Or, for people looking for a BT speaker.

Can you give me one legitimate reason to not allow a BT connection? It's just such a baffling decision and it makes no sense.

Remember that Airpods can connect to Windows devices. Macs and iPhones can connect to any crappy BT speaker.

 

[chabig]

There is literally no way to connect them to a Windows PC.

That’s wrong. There is literally one way to connect HomePods to Windows PCs—using AirPlay. iTunes for Windows supports AirPlay and for $10 you can buy a Windows app to send all system sound over AirPlay.

 

[Juandagis]

It should have been portable for 350$$$$$

 

[DaveN]

65$ is, what i would see a fair price.
and if they spy at me, it should be free!

A tear down in 2018 puts the parts cost at over $200 so dream on.

Apple HomePod Teardown and Cost Comparison

Since the introduction of the Amazon Echo smart speaker back in 2015, OEMs like Google, Xiaomi, Lenovo and others have released their own versions into the growing smart home market. And, maybe after hearing the echoes of success from their competitors, Apple announced their own speaker...

www.techinsights.com

 

[The Cappy]

65$ is, what i would see a fair price.
and if they spy at me, it should be free!

Arbitrary price expectations are arbitrary? Check.

 

[citysnaps]

Can you give me one legitimate reason to not allow a BT connection? It's just such a baffling decision and it makes no sense.

Remember that Airpods can connect to Windows devices. Macs and iPhones can connect to any crappy BT speaker.

I already did. It was a decision Apple made.

 

[norbinhouston]

You mean a company wants you to use their products on the stuff they make? That's outrageous!

 

[sub150]

I guess if the justification is "Apple said so" then there is no point in arguing. You probably like the butterfly keyboard and full height arrow keys because Apple said they were great.
[automerge]1588032221[/automerge]

You mean a company wants you to use their products on the stuff they make? That's outrageous!

From the company that has Apple Music on the web, Apple TV (the app, not the box) on any given TV, and allows their flagship products (Phone, Macs, Airpods) to connect to any other bluetooth device, I would expect their relatively high priced speaker to have Bluetooth.

Why can Beats headphones connect to Android phones? Should they make Beats headphones Airplay only?

 

[MacLawyer]

No phono line in, no deal. Shame. This thing puts out great sound.

 

[v3rlon]

...

There is literally no way to connect them to a Windows PC. Do you know how many people use a Windows PC for work (1. Mac Keyboards didn't work for 4 years; 2. So many business apps run terribly on MacOS).
...

Mac Keyboards worked. You may not have liked them, but they worked. They may have had a higher than normal failure rate, but they worked. Even WITH the higher failure rate, it wasn't like every third keyboard was failing. Just like only an handful of Samsung batteries exploded. Beyond that, the other keyboards (non butterfly) worked just fine. So this is an outright lie.

It isn't Apple's fault that your company (or mine) built their system around Windows. Apple chose not to build Windows PCs. That said, there literally ARE ways to connect them to a windows PC. One is even listed in this thread.

Internet hyperbole doesn't make you right.

Also, learn what 'literally' means.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

It would be outrageously priced at $204.99 off ($94).

It's garbage. There's zero reason to buy this thing. Not at $94, not at $9.

 

[citysnaps]

I guess if the justification is "Apple said so" then there is no point in arguing. You probably like the butterfly keyboard and full height arrow keys because Apple said they were great.
[automerge]1588032221[/automerge]


From the company that has Apple Music on the web, Apple TV (the app, not the box) on any given TV, and allows their flagship products (Phone, Macs, Airpods) to connect to any other bluetooth device, I would expect their relatively high priced speaker to have Bluetooth.

Why can Beats headphones connect to Android phones? Should they make Beats headphones Airplay only?

I dunno... If Microsoft made a speaker similar to HomePod, and it only worked with their services and hardware, and was without Bluetooth, it wouldn't bother me in the least.

Why would I get worked up about that? That's nuts.
[automerge]1588038319[/automerge]

You mean a company wants you to use their products on the stuff they make? That's outrageous!

Yeah really. I think I just felt the Earth tilt a few more degrees.

 

[Rojaaemon]

All those colorful watch bands, but the HomePod comes in black or white.

 

[pauljbax]

I show 238 for the gray one.

OWC is still discounting Apple's HomePod this week, offering the White HomePod for $204.99 and the Space Gray HomePod for $207.99. This is the current best discount on a new HomePod ($91-$94 off), and the next best price you'll find is at B&H Photo for $279.95.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with OWC. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

OWC's HomePods are new and come in non-retail packaging, meaning you'll receive them in a nondescript box instead of Apple's official packaging. These HomePods are covered under one year of OWC's Fulfilled Limited Warranty instead of Apple's warranty coverage. Both colors of the HomePod are in stock and available to ship today. Free shipping is available with an estimated five to eight business days for the delivery, depending upon your location.

HomePod for $204.99 ($94 OFF)​

Besides the HomePod, OWC is currently running a sale on refurbished models of the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, Mac mini, and more. These computers all include a 14-day return policy, free shipping, and Parallels Desktop Pro Edition for $19 (originally $99.99). The retailer fully inspects each device, and ensures that they will perform reliably even in refurbished condition.

We track the best deals on HomePod every week, so be sure to bookmark our guide if you're on the hunt for solid HomePod discounts.

Article Link: Deals: Apple's HomePod on Sale for $204.99 at OWC ($94 Off)

[automerge]1588042603[/automerge]

 

[name99]

How useful is this without Apple Music or many/any Smart Devices?

If you're not obsessive about the price, like most Apple things, once you start using it you find it nicer than you expected.
I have two main uses:

- small Siri use cases like "Lights on" or "is the back door locked?". Yes, you can do these through your aWatch, but using HomePod is even easier than that, you just speak into the ether. It's a small convenience, but it's real.

- augmenting my TV's sound. I connected it to my Apple TV and calibrated it, and I now have TV sound coming out of the TV speakers in front of the room, and from the HomePod at the back of the room. This makes a HUGE difference! In the first place the speaker decodes Dolby Atmos, so you get deep rich sound effects. In the second place, the audio now has an even volume all over the room so that when you move to the back of the room the audio doesn't get noticeably quieter.
Again is this worth it? Well, would you consider buying a TV sound bar? A sound bar is louder, but I don't care about extreme loudness, so the Homepod is loud enough for me. I get the audio quality of a soundbar PLUS it fills up the whole room with sound.

Ultimately the question is: would I buy it again? And the answer is - absolutely! I bought about six months ago at around $200, and don't regret it.
I'm just waiting to see what the supposed next one looks like/sounds like, to see if I want to upgrade to two of HomePod 1.0 at the back of the TV room, or to two of HomePod 2.0 in the TV room, and the 1.0 goes upstairs.