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HomePod 2 Now 1,000 Days Old
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Audio products are tricky. Claimed improvements will always be subjective to the customer. I’m still enjoying my HomePod 2 and my HomePod minis.
I have the original HomePod 1 bought as a stereo pair. They serve as the speakers for my Apple TV and as the Siri responder in that part of my house for the Homekit lights, shades, door locks, thermostat, etc. The other HomePods are minis found in various other rooms again in pairs for the same function minus the TV parts in most rooms.
I don't really need a new HomePod with a screen, maybe an updated large HomePod when Siri gets upgraded.
I have updated my Apple TV twice while the OG HomePods have been the reliable work horses.
I don't really need a new HomePod with a screen, maybe an updated large HomePod when Siri gets upgraded.
I have updated my Apple TV twice while the OG HomePods have been the reliable work horses.
My pair of original HPs are still going strong. I use very basic Siri and never have any problem. Turn tv on/off, turn volume up/down, play yada yada music. That's about it. I like them.
Happy with ours. Bought the first initially as a Home hub mostly - at another property linked to a Logitech Circle View camera - brought that back home and added another in two separate rooms. Went for an Eve Play to stream via the existing stereo though.
Would like a battery powered HomePod with a screen for the bathroom though with a screen and a modicum of water resistance to replace an aging DAB (Satellite) radio. I’m not holding my breath though. Maybe compromise with a HomePod mini or two minus a screen if I really have too!
Would like a battery powered HomePod with a screen for the bathroom though with a screen and a modicum of water resistance to replace an aging DAB (Satellite) radio. I’m not holding my breath though. Maybe compromise with a HomePod mini or two minus a screen if I really have too!
They had so much potential, but Apple never delivered anything better vs the competitor field (despite there being ample opportunity with low effort).
All Apple had to do was cater these more towards a hybrid home theater + smart speaker + entertaining option. Basically like an Sonos Move or Sony HTA9 + Apple and Siri ecosystem.
All they had to do was allow wireless atmos surround sound (not just stereo), at least 4 and potentially more for those willing to pay more for better quality (5 or 7 channel surround sound). Having integrated battery for some flexibiliy in placement for a movie or when entertaining (such as outdoors) would be ideal.
If they did this, i would have easily bought 4, potentially even more as it’s possible to turn a master bedroom into a home theater like experience for ~$1k and perform better than similarly priced soundbars. Would also open up ability for then to sell a dedicated subwoofer that they can pair for even more performance.
All Apple had to do was cater these more towards a hybrid home theater + smart speaker + entertaining option. Basically like an Sonos Move or Sony HTA9 + Apple and Siri ecosystem.
All they had to do was allow wireless atmos surround sound (not just stereo), at least 4 and potentially more for those willing to pay more for better quality (5 or 7 channel surround sound). Having integrated battery for some flexibiliy in placement for a movie or when entertaining (such as outdoors) would be ideal.
If they did this, i would have easily bought 4, potentially even more as it’s possible to turn a master bedroom into a home theater like experience for ~$1k and perform better than similarly priced soundbars. Would also open up ability for then to sell a dedicated subwoofer that they can pair for even more performance.
I'd like to believe the internet finds a way... We've seen it with the old Airport devices, netgear devices, specific closed off NFC devices... someone figures out a way to connect and keep the devices going strong. I never use the Sonos app aside from device setup, then use Airplay or Alexa.
I like Sonos for tv audio surround sound but I hate them as standalone speakers. I have a HomePod or HomePod mini in every room except the bathroom where I still use a Sonos one. The Sonos one is less convenient because it doesn’t tap into HomeKit and I have to manually airplay audio to it instead of using the voice assistant because with all the praise Alexa gets I don’t find it to work better in my use case. I however never ask any of these things to do anything then tasks
Is it just me, or have these things gotten stupid when listening for "Hey Siri or Siri" commands? I find that if music is playing at a reasonable level, my paired HomePods usually ignore my first request. I then have to YELL "Siri!!! Turn down the music". And what the hell is the idea behind "I'll speak softer" ??? Apple, Apple, Apple...
Maybe I'm just lucky but both of my gen 1 HomePods are still functioning and sound fantastic. Again, could just be lucky but other than having to restart 1 of them maybe once a year... great purchase.
That reminds me, mine is behind the TV collecting dust. I need to try and sell.
Oh man -- Aux input would be so game changing (source things other than just Siri or AirPlay).
The design of HomePods is another one of their many super "anti-eco" product designs.
But hey, they're buying some carbon credits!
While I agree with and relate to your feelings about planned obsolescence, I can’t imagine that you don’t really understand why Apple might be refreshing the device. It’s called capitalism and Apple is in business to sell things and make money.
You would be better served with something with a dedicated center channel then trying to use multiple HomePods in this manner.
I personally have no use for any of those things and completely serviced using AirPlay. In fact I won’t buy any audio equipment that direct support AirPlay.
It is probably because of the playlist. I’m sure the music in the playlist would be tricky specifically. I listen to a lot of synthwave, vaporwave. Bet if I said play n0vmbr or Kalax I would get something weird.
I live in a mixed OS household and I'm the only iPhone user. Wife is Android/Windows and wants nothing to do with iPhone.
My main sound system is a LP/Receiver and floor speakers that are older than me. Airplay, Casting and BT all work just fine via AUX input.
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I have bought 4 total HomePods, 1 first gen and 3 second gen.
The first gen died and Apple Support had no answers.
One of my second gen's has now died and Apple Support had no answers.
A smart speaker of this quality and price should not die after 2 years.
Speakers might become one of the rare electronics I move on from apple from in the future, as even the Apple Store employee's basically told me they dont recommend them and if they do sell them they strongly encourage you to keep apple care on them.
The first gen died and Apple Support had no answers.
One of my second gen's has now died and Apple Support had no answers.
A smart speaker of this quality and price should not die after 2 years.
Speakers might become one of the rare electronics I move on from apple from in the future, as even the Apple Store employee's basically told me they dont recommend them and if they do sell them they strongly encourage you to keep apple care on them.