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Gurman: Apple Considering Updated HomePod Mini Alongside New High-End HomePod
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I have 7 of the full size HomePods and 2 minis. The minis are trash compared to the full size version. They are decent for pumping out anemic audio, but the main thing I use them for are mics for home automation commands. The mini are only good for a VERY small single room for audio. Anything larger and the full size versions are MUCH better sounding and in a stereo configuration it‘s even better.
I‘m not sure what people are taking about comparing HomePods with other solutions out there. If you are in the Apple ecosystem, there really isn’t anything better than the full size version for non-audiophile grade music and home automation. These DEFINITELY wouldn’t replace my main dedicated audio system for critical music listening and movie watching, but they are great for bedroom speakers and home automation integration. They‘re also great for whole home audio.
I won’t even consider Google or Amazon products as they have proven they WILL use their customers as products any chance they get. I barely trust Apple with privacy, but they are much better in that regard compared to the competition.
All that being said, I’d be happy to swap out my HomePods if Apple makes some decent improvements on them. The criticism I have with the HomePods is that Siri can be much faster to execute automation commands. Most of the time she’s pretty quick, but when you tell her to turn on or off the TV, there are a few seconds that go by when the command is actually executed. I don’t need to hear, “I’m working on it.” It’s a basic command, just do it. Not sure if it is a processing power thing or Siri is that dumb. Either way, if the new ones have better performance, I’d be willing to upgrade.
I‘m not sure what people are taking about comparing HomePods with other solutions out there. If you are in the Apple ecosystem, there really isn’t anything better than the full size version for non-audiophile grade music and home automation. These DEFINITELY wouldn’t replace my main dedicated audio system for critical music listening and movie watching, but they are great for bedroom speakers and home automation integration. They‘re also great for whole home audio.
I won’t even consider Google or Amazon products as they have proven they WILL use their customers as products any chance they get. I barely trust Apple with privacy, but they are much better in that regard compared to the competition.
All that being said, I’d be happy to swap out my HomePods if Apple makes some decent improvements on them. The criticism I have with the HomePods is that Siri can be much faster to execute automation commands. Most of the time she’s pretty quick, but when you tell her to turn on or off the TV, there are a few seconds that go by when the command is actually executed. I don’t need to hear, “I’m working on it.” It’s a basic command, just do it. Not sure if it is a processing power thing or Siri is that dumb. Either way, if the new ones have better performance, I’d be willing to upgrade.
Exactly. I’m not using their garbage, even if they pay me.
I have to admit, that’s freakin’ annoying. She says to turn on “personal requests.” Yeah, that’s turned on Siri. Get it together! I just tell my wife, “she only talks to me. Siri doesn‘t like other women in the house.” 😉
That sounds about right, considering that’s how Apple ‘innovates’ now.
In this case, both Google and Amazon have smart speakers with screens for a few years now. So Apple is right on schedule: wait and copy.
Name anything in the last decade+ where Apple was first to market with some new innovation.
It’s hard to be hyped about Apple, because it’s already old news by the time Apple does it.
Sure it does. When Apple entered the cellular handset market in 2007, it wasn't too late back then when M/E/N were dominating that space. Nor is it now with home automation.
Actually, I think the time is now right with MATTER.
This. The Homepod flew off the shelfs when Best Buy had their $200 sales. That should be their target price.
The original HomePod should’ve never been discontinued. It was an odd decision.
Used Bose multi-room, then moved to HomePods - 2 originals purchased on release day (moved to stereo setup) and 2 HomePod minis in stereo. I have to say I’m looking at getting rid of all of them and moving back to my original setup of a Cambridge Audio amp and 2 bi-wired speakers and a wired connection to my iPhone for Apple Music. I’ve got 2 Apple TV’s, get rid of 1 and use the other as a Home Hub.
Apple is reportedly considering an update to the HomePod mini as it plans a larger push into the Home devices market, which includes releasing an updated version of the full-sized HomePod in the early months of 2023, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reports that Apple is considering updating the HomePod mini, which was announced in October 2020. Gurman doesn't shed any details on what a possible update could include but states it's unlikely to be anything "super-impressive."
As has been previously reported, Apple is planning to resurrect the original full-sized HomePod after discontinuing it in March 2021. The updated version of the HomePod is rumored to feature an updated S8 processor and possibly a new multi-touch display on top.
Gurman says the new full-sized HomePod is on track for a launch in early 2023, lining up with a timeline set forth by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Other than an updated HomePod mini and a new full-sized HomePod, Gurman has previously reported that Apple is working on several new products for the Home. The most ambitious project under development is reportedly a HomePod product that combines a speaker, Apple TV functions, and a FaceTime camera into one device.
Additionally, Apple is working on a device focused on use in the kitchen that combines an iPad and a speaker connected to a robotic arm. Gurman expects at least one of these two Home products to launch towards the end of 2023 or in early 2024.
Article Link: Gurman: Apple Considering Updated HomePod Mini Alongside New High-End HomePod
I love the HomePods but just too many issues. For me, I want to walk in and play music. So many times I’ve been thwarted by the HomePods either not talking to each other, claiming they are already playing (standing in a silent room) or not functioning. I just want my music to play. Simple.
Sorry Apple, I’ve invested so much and tryed so hard to like HomePods but I’m done with them. Back to a nice old skool valve amp, bi wired speakers and direct connection (like they talk about with Apple Lossless… so hopefully they’ll release something that is reliable, consistent and sound amazing.
Please?
I was honestly a bit underwhelmed by the sound of the full HomePod compared to my cheaper Sonos One speaker. If Apple can improve the sound and keep the price in the $250 range, I’m in. But right now, my HomePod really serves no purpose.
You still can't pause or skip songs with a pair responding simultaneously after many years of updates. Plus, tons of other glitches and issues. A new issue is the inability to control their volume using an iPhone, for example. It's a no for me on any new ones... though they might work vaguely competently if they had a wired connection!!!
Ok, and to stick with this, AR/VR headset is the next iPhone and not to forget the Apple car… ok, I admire your optimism but disagree
I don't think AAC has enough bitrate to stream lossless.
Apple needs to develop a whole new codec dor wireless transmission, if they don't want to pay royalties to better systems.
I'm still enjoying my two Homepods (full size) that pair to my Apple TV. Don't really need anything else at this point.
Amen. I was banging my head against the wall on that one for a while after getting a Homepod Mini. Apple didn't make this easy to figure out.
I've got my Homepod Mini in the kitchen and would often have the same confusion. I would ask my phone something and then hear the Homepod in the kitchen responding and vice-versa. If you give the Homepod a name/setting in the Home app, you can say things like "Hey Siri, play music in the kitchen." It's not perfect but it does work most of the time.
Enough. Apple has almost never been first to market with any product, and even when they have been, guys like you downplay it as "obvious" and "where things were going anyway."
Apple has a long history of looking at existing products, identifying the things that stop them from being great and doing it better than anyone else. They weren't the first to make a PC but they brought ideas to it that changed the entire industry. They weren't first with music players, but they did one that blew everyone away. They weren't first with phones or tablet or laptops or app stores or TV boxes or smart speakers or watches... etc., etc.
The straw man argument is a fun way to rile up the hardcore types, but Apple's genius has always been in what they bring to existing products, both in terms of design and functionality.
It will default to your phone if its unlocked / active.
But definitely sometimes the wrong homepod/siri responds.
And the thing is, where I come from, people just aren’t into talking to their furniture. Or yelling at it.
iDevices are really abundant, but I have never seen anyone talk to them anywhere (and I encounter at least an average of a hundred+ daily).
So I’m utterly mystified by Apples love affair with Siri.
I’d like a good compact speaker, and the HomePod had some excellent engineering in it audio wise. But limitations in connectivity, in control, in source material just made it a non-starter. People, by and large, buy speakers because the are interested in what is being transmitted, not the speaker in itself, so crippling it in terms of functionality is a problem. First it has to do the job. Then we can get cute with the control scheme, but for the love of God, allow people a means of direct control. They aren’t bring-to-the-beach (ugh) speakers, so why have even worse connectivity, and…
It’s great audio engineering, crippled by design/marketing.
I hav ethe same problem even though I subscribe to Apple Music. Including with carplay. My iPhone has a large music library as it is a work phone and I would prefer work not pay for my streaming (I work for the government and thus taxpayer would be paying). a Siri just can’t work it out when I have streaming turned off. I have to spell it all out in detail.
Apple could do it they wanted but it's a loss in revenue. I have over 100gb's of music which is not on apple music and airplay is such a PITA. Stop using airplay for radio too as the misses kept saying "hey, siri, skip track", which resulted in some other radio station playing. Another failure of Apple music is you ask for (example) 80's music, it's the same tunes over and over again!