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I’d get two more in addition to the two I already have if I knew the HomePod will be updated for quadrophonic sound. I think the HomePod is by far my favorite Apple product ever.
 
This should have been the launch price. I still have no need for one as i use full sound systems in every room. Might be okay for my external monitor though.

Why would Apple sell the product at a loss? At current price, they barely have any margins. This is a very, very advanced piece of hardware.

How were u able to show Best Buy the $199 price from target? Target shows $299 until u add it to ur cart, which u can’t do if it’s out of stock. I always have BB price match but u have to show them the advertised price. Just wondering what u showed them. Thx.

Someone else already commented on this. See above.
 
Why would Apple sell the product at a loss? At current price, they barely have any margins. This is a very, very advanced piece of hardware.



Someone else already commented on this. See above.

I read the above but it didn’t answer my question. Im going to go to BB for a price match but I can’t find a target ad showing the home pod for $199. Best Buy will want to see the advertised price of $199 for them to match it. Just wondering what u showed them for them to honor the $199
 
They weren't hidden behind "blinds". Pogue (undeniable Apple fan) used a thin shear sheet that would not affect sound (according to Pogue himself). Likewise several other tests were also done with blindfolds only. A simple google search will find them.

Actually, the testing done with the listener blindfolded showed a difference. Those where they hid the speakers behind blinds prevented the HomePod from characterizing the room and so were not very useful.
 
I read the above but it didn’t answer my question. Im going to go to BB for a price match but I can’t find a target ad showing the home pod for $199. Best Buy will want to see the advertised price of $199 for them to match it. Just wondering what u showed them for them to honor the $199
When I click the link in the 1st post, it takes me to the Homepod product page and it definitely says SALE $199.99. No need to add to cart. Of course, it's OOS everywhere including online, so I doubt BB would pricematch an OOS item.
 
When I click the link in the 1st post, it takes me to the Homepod product page and it definitely says SALE $199.99. No need to add to cart. Of course, it's OOS everywhere including online, so I doubt BB would pricematch an OOS item.

Thanks. Yes, now it says $199. Last night it said $299 but it was OOS everywhere, even for shipping and someone earlier in the thread said “u will see the $199 sale price when u add to ur cart” but it wouldn’t allow me to add to cart because it was OOS. But this morning, I went back to targets site and it showed $199. So took it over to Best Buy and they honored it no problem. So I’m very happy. Love the sound of the home pod but even at $299 it wasn’t worth it. $199 however is a steal, and now I have one for my office at work. BB has good stock and I think the sale price is only for this weekend.
 
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Why would Apple sell the product at a loss? At current price, they barely have any margins. This is a very, very advanced piece of hardware.



Someone else already commented on this. See above.
whats the cost to make one of these things? I highly doubt its much money there is nothing advanced about it.
 
Went to local Best Buy this morning. They had three black in stock. I've been wanting to get a stereo pair for my desk and couldn't believe this price. The guy helping me clearly saw they were sold out at Target. Said he would try to put it through but didn't know if it would work. Looked up a couple seconds later, "you're good." He also said he might buy the last one for himself at that price.
 
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I've pretty much ignored the Homepod due to it's price and capabilities.

So what has developed/improved over the last year?

Can it now play music from Spotify, TuneIn or iHeartRadio natively (no streaming from your phone)? What about playing the music collection from my iMac?
 
Went to local Best Buy this morning. They had three black in stock. I've been wanting to get a stereo pair for my desk and couldn't believe this price. The guy helping me clearly saw they were sold out at Target. Said he would try to put it through but didn't know if it would work. Looked up a couple seconds later, "you're good." He also said he might buy the last one for himself at that price.

Had the same exact experience about 1/2hr ago. Only bought one, but guy clearly saw OOS on targets site and typed in the $199 and said “you’re good”. Their computers can verify that target is selling for that price. I use price match at BB on just about everything I buy their and never have a problem. I actually saved over $1000 on a $3000 tv I bought 3-4 years ago. They have since changed their policies (and I think I had something to do with it ) but I pulled up the TV on one of those “cheap tv” electronics websites that are complete frauds and they matched it.
 
I've pretty much ignored the Homepod due to it's price and capabilities.

So what has developed/improved over the last year?

Can it now play music from Spotify, TuneIn or iHeartRadio natively (no streaming from your phone)? What about playing the music collection from my iMac?
The Homepod’s strength is in just how good it sounds given it’s size and regardless of where it’s located in a room. It’s a different class device than an Amazon Echo... but it is trying to compete directly with Sonos, I think, which is why the absence of other music service access on-device is a glaring flaw.

I listen to Spotify on my HomePod regularly— via any of my other Apple devices. I’m sure if you’re coming from a Sonos or Echo or something, it’s a step backwards— fair enough. I wanted Airplay 2 and SQ and that’s what I’ve got. Favorite thing I’ve bought from Apple in years and I want them in every room.
 
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I ordered 2 Homepods just now with online chat for 199.99 each. first they said no because they were out of stock in my area.... I told that they are still in stock in other parts for the US. I sent them a link for a store on the other side of the state. They gave me the discount.
It's worth a try.
 
Thanks. Yes, now it says $199. Last night it said $299 but it was OOS everywhere, even for shipping and someone earlier in the thread said “u will see the $199 sale price when u add to ur cart” but it wouldn’t allow me to add to cart because it was OOS. But this morning, I went back to targets site and it showed $199. So took it over to Best Buy and they honored it no problem. So I’m very happy. Love the sound of the home pod but even at $299 it wasn’t worth it. $199 however is a steal, and now I have one for my office at work. BB has good stock and I think the sale price is only for this weekend.
Glad you were able to grab one. Philly area here too.
 
Siri is so utterly useless that $199 won’t tempt me. Compared to Alexa, my Echo Dot works so much better and has far more skills that I don’t care what price is stuck on a HomePod. And considering I have good standalone speakers anyway, I just picked up two Echo Inputs, on sale for $14.99 each this weekend. A no-brainer for voice control interaction with extremely few mistakes.
 
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Had the same exact experience about 1/2hr ago. Only bought one, but guy clearly saw OOS on targets site and typed in the $199 and said “you’re good”. Their computers can verify that target is selling for that price. I use price match at BB on just about everything I buy their and never have a problem. I actually saved over $1000 on a $3000 tv I bought 3-4 years ago. They have since changed their policies (and I think I had something to do with it ) but I pulled up the TV on one of those “cheap tv” electronics websites that are complete frauds and they matched it.
Some of you are lucky. Whenever i try to match stuff at Bestbuy. They say that the competitor must have it available. And in stock. Or they won’t do it.
 
Do you realize the advanced tech that's in those things? Apple is already selling those at near cost.

Sadly, most people are oblivious to the underlying tech that’s responsible for HomePod working so well. It’s a bargain at list price. At $100 off it’s a steal.
 
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Picked up white at Best Buy. They matched the UPC. If a price match item is out of stock on the matching website they didn't have to match it, but they would anyway as an accommodation. Nice!
 
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