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HomePod HomePod Availability - Shocking!

S

sam2428

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 8, 2011
404
141
Houston, TX
Is it just me or is there something very telling about the HomePod being a new product line from Apple that is completely available everywhere and has been since launch day?

Apple Watch, airpods, etc all when first launched were completely sold out and very hard to get.
 
sam2428 said:
Is it just me or is there something very telling about the HomePod being a new product line from Apple that is completely available everywhere and has been since launch day?.
Click to expand...

Actually, in my area, the HomePod is not available in two of my local Apple stores at all. But I don’t think that’s necessarily a sign of anything, just because of stock being available just under a week. The Price point of the HomePod is likely not for everybody, as Apple is bringing a fairly immersive product for those who want in-depth audio. If somebody wants something cheaper, they’re obviously are alternatives with different sacrifices.

sam2428 said:
Apple Watch, airpods, etc all when first launched were completely sold out and very hard to get.
Click to expand...

Not an appropriate comparison. You Can’t compare the popularity of Apple Watch or AirPods to the HomePod. Two different segments of products. The reason being is, the AirPods/Apple Watch rely on the iPhone and are an accessory to the most the top-selling smart Phone in the world. The HomePod is a stand alone Product.
 
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sam2428 said:
Is it just me or is there something very telling about the HomePod being a new product line from Apple that is completely available everywhere and has been since launch day?

Apple Watch, airpods, etc all when first launched were completely sold out and very hard to get.
Click to expand...
When the iPhone was released I simply walked in and got one. I'm sorry what is your point?
 
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It happens with every product launch, supplies are constrained in some places more than others.

When the iPhone 7 Plus Jet Black came out and was seemingly like hens teeth, I got one at my local store no problem.

There’s also the possibility of Apple having built up a bit of extra stock, the launch date was delayed after all.
 
sam2428 said:
Is it just me or is there something very telling about the HomePod being a new product line from Apple that is completely available everywhere and has been since launch day?

Apple Watch, airpods, etc all when first launched were completely sold out and very hard to get.
Click to expand...
The HomePod has only been launched in three countries. Your other examples were released in many more countries at launch. This is the difference.
 
How can you possibly draw any conclusions from what the supply is in the stores?

You know how many where made before launch?
You know the area of launch? Only a few countries? Worldwide? what?
Totally new and different product than what your comparing it to......those are mobile devices and accessories.
Product was announced in June 2017.....plenty of time to manufacturer adequate stock.

Bottom line is you have no idea how many are being sold......They sold 3 of them while I was getting mine. :cool:
I'm getting a second one.....so add another to the sold list. :)
 
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Buerkletucson said:
How can you possibly draw any conclusions from what the supply is in the stores?
Click to expand...
More to that point, when Apple rolled out the apple watch people kept stating that it was a poor seller, that apple has a losing product on its hands, even though supply is very constrained, i.e., not available in stores for months, yet its been a solid performer
 
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I forgot how defensive and hostile everyone is in the Macrumors forums....

In fact..I was not complaining at all about the availability of the HP....simply thought it was interesting and called for some discussion.

Just because it's a different product and a different segment, doesnt mean its not a valid conversation topic. It's still a new product line that Apple released and I do think that the fact that there is plenty of stock shows that it "isn't for everyone".

Do I think it will sell well? Of course I do...but Apple typically is very conservative with initial inventories...specially on new product lines. I doubt they decided that since the internet always complains about no stock they will ramp up and keep delaying the product so everyone can buy at launch. That is just not smart business practice.

My guess is that there might have been extra stock at launch because the delays might have been more related to software which allowed hardware manufacturing to continue for a longer duration.
 
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sam2428 said:
Is it just me or is there something very telling about the HomePod being a new product line from Apple that is completely available everywhere and has been since launch day?

Apple Watch, airpods, etc all when first launched were completely sold out and very hard to get.
Click to expand...

Yes there are other maybe better options and truth to be told most people listen to music (most of the time) on their headphones. I purchased my AirPods today and even months after launch day they are hard to find/get readily available!
 
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sam2428 said:
I forgot how defensive and hostile everyone is in the Macrumors forums....

In fact..I was not complaining at all about the availability of the HP....simply thought it was interesting and called for some discussion.

Just because it's a different product and a different segment, doesnt mean its not a valid conversation topic. It's still a new product line that Apple released and I do think that the fact that there is plenty of stock shows that it "isn't for everyone".
Click to expand...

Yes, but to be fair you did suggest it was “shocking”.

That a product “isn’t for everyone” doesn’t sound particularly shocking.
[doublepost=1518820735][/doublepost]
rmoliv said:
Yes there are other maybe better options and truth to be told most people listen to music (most of the time) on their headphones. I purchased my AirPods today and even months after launch day they are hard to find/get readily available!
Click to expand...

Do most people really listen on headphones when they’re at home?

Not convinced at all that that’s the case.
 
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Not shocking at all to me. It's a speaker. This isn't the iPhone where everyone has one and it fits the usage needs of millions. This is more like Apple TV to me. Some people have them but its not a universal product that people will automatically spend $349 on. I really wanted one but it was OK with waiting if I had to. I think it will sell well but will be more of a gradual sell.
 
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sam2428 said:
I forgot how defensive and hostile everyone is in the Macrumors forums....

In fact..I was not complaining at all about the availability of the HP....simply thought it was interesting and called for some discussion.

Just because it's a different product and a different segment, doesnt mean its not a valid conversation topic. It's still a new product line that Apple released and I do think that the fact that there is plenty of stock shows that it "isn't for everyone".

Do I think it will sell well? Of course I do...but Apple typically is very conservative with initial inventories...specially on new product lines. I doubt they decided that since the internet always complains about no stock they will ramp up and keep delaying the product so everyone can buy at launch. That is just not smart business practice.

My guess is that there might have been extra stock at launch because the delays might have been more related to software which allowed hardware manufacturing to continue for a longer duration.
Click to expand...


Your title said it all......
You get what you ask for I guess.....

I see no hostility.......its just silly to compare availability of the HomePod vs anything else Apple sells.
 
sam2428 said:
Is it just me or is there something very telling about the HomePod being a new product line from Apple that is completely available everywhere and has been since launch day?

Apple Watch, airpods, etc all when first launched were completely sold out and very hard to get.
Click to expand...

Speakers are lower selling volume items. Components may not be as hard to manufacture, with key stuff like the A8 processor having been in production for years. Further the HomePod was due to launch in fall and all rumor sites indicate that the hardware was being manufactured in quantity back then, it was the final software that wasn't ready, so it is possible they had more time to build units then expected so have a greater quantity of them. Likely had they launched in fall there might have been shortages.
 
I’m not sure that it’s especially telling. Until there’s an indication of sales figures, there’s no way of knowing what the big picture is. It is interesting though. I didn’t preorder but did get one on launch day in my local John Lewis. I’d wondered whether they’d have stock but they did and the woman on the till said it was the first one she’d sold but that also doesn’t mean much; it could be that others had put loads through the tills.

Given that most people have some sort of music system already, this isn’t the kind of launch you’d really expect that much excitement about. I’d imagine it’s the sort of product that is more likely to build up a reputation (and higher sales figures) over time rather than generating launch day queues and shortages.

It could be that Apple has missed the boat on smart speakers or it could be that sound quality will make it a huge success. Time will tell. In the meanwhile what I do know is that I’m enjoying mine. Really wish it could play BBC Radio 4 though so that I could get rid of my clock radio.
 
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I broke down and went to my local Best Buy this week to buy one. Just to try it. And the guy was actually shocked when I said I wanted one. I asked if they had them in stock. And he mentioned that they have not sold hardly any they’ve received. Of course this is just anecdotal. But it caught me by surprised that he said they had hardly sold either color HomePod.
 
Stock left of anything after a couple of days = Apple and the product in question are dooooomed.

No stock left of new product = rage at Apple for not being able to make enough stock. Apple and the product in question are doooooomed.
 
I would admit that last Saturday, the day after the product release, I could go into my local Best Buy and pick one up. I had expected them to be in short supply since that is how it typically is with Apple product releases.

Logically though, a $349 intelligent speaker competing at more than 3 times the price of alternatives far better established in the market, it is hardly surprising that sales volume might be low, or that sales could be slow to take off.

I could believe the supposition that Apple had them stockpiled as a result of manufacturing volume, and thus even brisk sales would have left plenty of stock in the retail channel, except that my Best Buy had not received many before launch, and had not had a stock replenishment, but still had 2 on the shelf, and more in the stock room when I bought mine.

I doubt Apple expected high volume sales. I think their expectation is to leverage sales amongst a large proportion of Apple Music subscribers, and for the HomePod to also leverage more Apple Music subscriptions. They aren't trying to compete with Amazon or Google so much as establishing a long-term strategy based on their own market of products and services. They know they have a great product that will sell as potential users get to hear them in action.
 
I suppose those in the market for a voice assistant likely has either Alexa or google home and those with sound speakers might already have a home theater or a Sonos instead so a need for the HomePod might be limited for many.
 
Why is it surprising? The reason why those other products sell out is because there is more of a market for items that can be used everyday. While you can surely play the speaker everyday, no one is using is it on a daily basis/routine like they would a phone and a watch.
 
I got one as an impulse buy and I’m happy with it. If every launch was this easy I would be happy.
 
sam2428 said:
Is it just me or is there something very telling about the HomePod being a new product line from Apple that is completely available everywhere and has been since launch day?

Apple Watch, airpods, etc all when first launched were completely sold out and very hard to get.
Click to expand...

maybe earlier editions of apple watch but i walked into an airport dixons the day after AW3 was released and had a choice of different models
 
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