HomePod Availability is Tightening Ahead of Friday's Launch

[Chupa Chupa]

No, you're confusing two different distribution chains--Best Buy and Apple Stores. You can't pick up at any Apple stores because their initial supply is sold out.

No, Apple's initial supply can't be sold out if I can order online today for delivery on Friday. That is unless we each have a different definition of sold out.

Apple has suspended in-store pick up. NOT the same as initial supply sold out. You CAN buy a HomePod as of my typing this for delivery at homeTHIS Friday.

 

[truthertech]

Or more precisely, this is for playing Apple Music.

This is getting old. That myth/fake news has already been shot down. You can use Pandora, Spotify, your own purchased music, etc., really any source with the Homepod. That's what Airplay is for.
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No, Apple's initial supply can't be sold out if I can order online today for delivery on Friday. That is unless we each have a different definition of sold out.

Apple has suspended in-store pick up. NOT the same as initial supply sold out. You CAN buy a HomePod as of my typing this for delivery at homeTHIS Friday.

Get your helmet on and get back in the game. My post was in response to the false claim that not being able to pick one up at an Apple Store on Feb 9 anymore was due to a "logistics" problem, not availability. The logistics argument was a desperate attempt to disparage sales demand despite the fact that we saw availability slip past 2/9 to just one of the original three countries and store pickup slip overseas past 2/9 as well.

 

[KellyJ]

If having trouble getting a HomePod, you might want to consider purchasing the Elac Discovery Z3 speaker instead. It has a multitude of connectivity options, and the sound is really, really goof for a wireless zoned speaker. I doubt the HomePod can match the musical quality, though it does have Siri input which the Discovery Z3 does not (of course).

 

[OllyW]

This is getting old. That myth/fake news has already been shot down. You can use Pandora, Spotify, your own purchased music, etc., really any source with the Homepod. That's what Airplay is for.

Of course you can but you can also do that with any other AirPlay or Bluetooth speaker. It's been designed as an Apple Music accessory and you need Apple Music to get the best out of it. That isn't a criticism, it's a fact.

 

[JediZenMaster]

Because it's giving it a good review, certain people on this forum will even call the reviews nonsense just like with the AirPods

True if it says great things about an Apple product than it must be biased.
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Of course you can but you can also do that with any other AirPlay or Bluetooth speaker. It's been designed as an Apple Music accessory and you need Apple Music to get the best out of it. That isn't a criticism, it's a fact.

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That is a fact and no one really expected Apple to open up it’s open HomePod to competitors directly other than anything over AirPlay.

 

[truthertech]

Of course you can but you can also do that with any other AirPlay or Bluetooth speaker. It's been designed as an Apple Music accessory and you need Apple Music to get the best out of it. That isn't a criticism, it's a fact.

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When there has been a tremendous FUD about playing other sources, you need to clarify your words as you've done with this reply that you meant you need "Apple Music to get the best out of it," as it is certainly for more than just Apple Music, but for other sources as millions of people have Spotify and other services and can take advantage of this speaker. Apple also put a lot of money, time and effort in ensuring that it is designed to run Homekit, podcasts, etc., etc.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Get your helmet on and get back in the game. My post was in response to the false claim that not being able to pick one up at an Apple Store on Feb 9 anymore was due to a "logistics" problem, not availability. The logistics argument was a desperate attempt to disparage sales demand despite the fact that we saw availability slip past 2/9 to just one of the original three countries and store pickup slip overseas past 2/9 as well.

Ha ha. You are the one that seems to need to get your helmet on. You seem hypersensitive and take everything as a cut to Apple or HomePod.

I noted the online order for in-store pickup was likely suspended because of logistics because... the logistics of Apple shipping to the store, the store logging in the inventory as a customer pickup. That does take extra time and there is a process for Apple checking in that inventory, i.e., logistics. My mention of it has ZERO to do with sale demand. That's not what logistics is. Logistics is getting something from point a to point b in a specified time in the most efficient manner.

Also there is no indication that HomePods won't be available in-store on Friday. Apple has not said that. All it's said is you can't order online for in-store pickup. You can order -- from Apple today -- for home delivery on Friday. As far as we know, you can go to the Apple Store on Friday and buy one.

Additional, whether initial inventory is "sold out" or not is meaningless unless we know numbers. There was one report stating 1m units. Who knows for sure. If Apple "sells out" 1m units is that somehow better than it "only" selling 2m units but still having 200K in the warehouse? The whole dancing for joy over a sell out is childish.

(BTW, since I own AAPL, and it's been taking it on the chin lately, I would love Apple to have a blockbuster. I don't think HomePod is is though. It's a nice speaker. Consumers excited about speakers maybe as much as they do over a new flavor of M&Ms. Of course M&Ms are only $.79.)

 

[kruegdude]

Looks like the review embargos are lifting.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/nicolenguyen/homepod-review

“Can’t”==“doesn’t”

 

[44267547]

We are basically purchasing a good small speaker to stream Apple Music.....and maybe ask Siri to set an alarm. That's it

"We"? Who Are you speaking for? Actually, you're missing half the possibilities that the HomePod can also incorporate beyond just using Siri to set an alarm, not to mention HomeKit. But clearly since you think this is such a small speaker just to stream Apple Music, then you are not the right demographic for this particular product, being your outlook is rather glib on the HomePod.

 

[akfgpuppet]

Looks like I can still have it delivered on time if I buy it online. Can't pick it up at my nearest store though.

 

[The Game 161]

"We"? Who Are you speaking for? Actually, you're missing half the possibilities that the HomePod can also incorporate beyond just using Siri to set an alarm, not to mention HomeKit. But clearly since you think this is such a small speaker just to stream Apple Music, then you are not the right demographic for this particular product, being your outlook is rather glib on the HomePod.

You can tell by comments like his and others who are buying it and who aren’t

 

[iPhonefan200]

Anybody can use the HomePod even if you’re not there

Not exactly correct, for security reasons Apple will freeze its ability to send and read messages and do other person requests tied to your iCloud account if your iPhone is not detected on the home network , to prevent anybody from using it when your not there . However it is a feature you can Turn off if your planning family account
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I originally had one for order and then canceled it. for my Amazon echo, its on my account but anyone can use it when i am not home, add things to a shopping list etc. When I heard homepod lost most of its features when the main account person wasnt there is when I canceled. I travel for work and my family should be able to have full capabilities when I am not there. or at the very least give me the choice to allow them to have it...

until that happens, no thanks.

See above

 

[Arran]

I don’t think availability is “tightening” at all. It’s simply being concealed.

The HomePod has been available for 2/9 pickup in all 12 stores near me (a 200 mile radius). I’ve been checking most days since pre-orders started (trying to gauge demand). Every day, Apple.com has shown 2/9 availability in all 12 stores.

And then overnight: Boom! It’s not available in any of those 12 stores.

 

[iPhonefan200]

I don’t think availability is “tightening” at all. It’s simply being concealed.

The HomePod has been available for 2/9 pickup in all 12 stores near me (a 200 mile radius). I’ve been checking most days since pre-orders started (trying to gauge demand). Every day, Apple.com has shown 2/9 availability in all 12 stores.

And then overnight: Boom! It’s not available in any of those 12 stores.

Doubt it’d being “concealed” like Apple are wanting to hide sales. It’s probably just release day is on Friday and them pre orders have left factories and the next batch are just finished now and ready for shipment. As for the store unavailability, that’s common most release days , they stop allowing that a few days before and place all units on a walk in basis on selected stores that are usually popular

 

[citysnaps]

I don’t think availability is “tightening” at all. It’s simply being concealed.

The HomePod has been available for 2/9 pickup in all 12 stores near me (a 200 mile radius). I’ve been checking most days since pre-orders started (trying to gauge demand). Every day, Apple.com has shown 2/9 availability in all 12 stores.

And then overnight: Boom! It’s not available in any of those 12 stores.

Likely a temporary logistics issue, Apple Stores not being able to (or wanting to - hiring extra staff, etc.) adequately handle hundreds of people showing up at their door at 10am February 9th to pick up their HomePods.

 

[mattburley7]

if you order a homepod does it require signature for delivery?

 

[digiridoo]

Not intersting unless it works with Amazon Prime and Spotify at the least. Such an expensive device to only play apple music ????? Apple could have so many more customers for this product.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Needs connectivity options.. how do you play your TV/Xbox/Computer sounds through it?

Seems of very limited use/purpose. Siri isn't a system seller, not sure who this is targeting. A proper "HomePod" would also have a 16:9 iPad screen to watch TV programs.

Also, non-mobile home devices should always be wired to network, instead of wireless..

You don’t play anything through it through Bluetooth. You can only airplay. If you have Apple TV, you’re good. If not, forget it.

This is one reason I cancelled my order. That and it is just too limited. I’m not an audiophile and limited Siri and no Bluetooth options does not equal a price tag of more than 30p bones.

 

[iPhonefan200]

You don’t play anything through it through Bluetooth. You can only airplay. If you have Apple TV, you’re good. If not, forget it.

This is one reason I cancelled my order. That and it is just too limited. I’m not an audiophile and limited Siri and no Bluetooth options does not equal a price tag of more than 30p bones.

Bluetooth is just bad at audio transfer in general which is probably why Apple dropped it on it’s speaker. Bluetooth is okay for like airpods where sound levels are basic but transfer a song on Bluetooth on this and it would be distortion and muffle central

 

[Arran]

Likely a temporary logistics issue, Apple Stores not being able to (or wanting to - hiring extra staff, etc.) adequately handle hundreds of people showing up at their door at 10am February 9th to pick up their HomePods.

It could easily be that. If demand is low and supplies are high, why should Apple waste employee’s time handling personalized in-store store pickups?

Just pile ‘em high in the front of the store. If anyone wants one, they can just take it. Like buying an iPhone case. Minimal disruption.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Bluetooth is just bad at audio transfer in general which is probably why Apple dropped it on it’s speaker. Bluetooth is okay for like airpods where sound levels are basic but transfer a song on Bluetooth on this and it would be distortion and muffle central

I think you're probably right, but for someone who just wants podcasts or whatever in the background, BT through a speak is fine for me. HomePod and/or high end stereo stuff is just wasted on me.