HomePod HomePod Discontinued... Discussion.

[Itinj24]

Surprised there isn’t a thread about this yet. So Apple pretty much said they’re done with this product (hardware wise but will continue to support it with software until they’re officially obsolete) to focus more on the Mini. Thought it was odd that there were no recent sales on the HomePod considering they seemingly went on sale every other month for the past two years.

I’m a fan. I have nine in total. Just picked up two more today to complete what I needed. My nearest Apple store had one Space Gray left in stock and no others within 50 miles according to the online Apple Store (NY metro and surrounding areas). Had to drive 40 miles out of state to pick up the second at a Best Buy which also only had one left in stock. Made the online purchases on both in the middle of last night.

My suggestion is, if you were looking to pick a HomePod up, do not wait for another sale. Likely not going to happen. Act fast. I did notice that the White option is a little more available than Space Gray though.

FWIW, already saw one on eBay selling for $400 BNIB.

================

Moderator Note:

Also see the discussion in the news thread:

Apple Discontinues Full-Sized HomePod to Focus on HomePod Mini

Apple has discontinued the standard HomePod to focus exclusively on the HomePod mini, reports TechCrunch. First introduced four years ago,...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Apple_Robert]

Apple Discontinues Full-Sized HomePod to Focus on HomePod Mini

Apple has discontinued the standard HomePod to focus exclusively on the HomePod mini, reports TechCrunch. First introduced four years ago,...

www.macrumors.com

 

[mtneer]

What will you do with your multiple Homepods, now that there is a very real risk that Apple may not support them deep into the future or enable any updates.

 

[gwhizkids]

I’m fascinated by what this means for the future. Is it that they lack the U1 chip and don’t allow the same handoff (and potentially, “follow me”) features as the mini? Are they throwing in the towel on speakers in general? What does this mean for Siri?

 

[Itinj24]

What will you do with your multiple Homepods, now that there is a very real risk that Apple may not support them deep into the future or enable any updates.

I’m very satisfied with what the HomePod does up to this point. Never use the handoff feature (U1) on my Minis anyway. I just ask Siri to transfer music if I have to. However, I never walk into my house with music playing on my phone anyway. I pull in my garage, and remove my phone from Carplay and the music stops. If I need to play something, I just ask Siri when I walk in. As long as they keep physically working, I’ll be happy. I understand tech products have a shelf life. Deep into the future, I’ll just look into other options if they fail.

 

[Itinj24]

I’m fascinated by what this means for the future. Is it that they lack the U1 chip and don’t allow the same handoff (and potentially, “follow me”) features as the mini? Are they throwing in the towel on speakers in general? What does this mean for Siri?

According to Apple, they’re focusing more on the Mini so I highly doubt Siri is done and I can see the Mini getting beefed up.

 

[gwhizkids]

According to Apple, they’re focusing more on the Mini so I highly doubt Siri is done and I can see the Mini getting beefed up.

If that is the case, I would definitely like to see some substantial improvements in Siri. John Gianndrea was supposed to really amp it up (a la Google Assistant) and so far the improvements have been slim to none. The mini has very little to offer over the higher-end other voice assistant speaker products. Apple needs to make a compelling case for it going forward if its going to be the flagship.

 

[Itinj24]

If that is the case, I would definitely like to see some substantial improvements in Siri. John Gianndrea was supposed to really amp it up (a la Google Assistant) and so far the improvements have been slim to none. The mini has very little to offer over the higher-end other voice assistant speaker products. Apple needs to make a compelling case for it going forward if its going to be the flagship.

I agree that Siri could use some improvements but I haven’t found it to be terrible in my experience. Smart home wise, the Google Assistant, from what I saw, is terrible and the smart home is the centerpiece of my house. But, their only case for Siri, far as I can tell, is the Apple eco system. Reason I bought into it at least. If I’m gonna have a bunch of tech products running, might as well have them running together in harmony.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Probably now focusing on the Mini because it’s more competitive in the market at £99. At least at the lower price it enables people to have multiple ones across their homes.

 

[Htsi]

I love my stereo pair. Returned the mini and am sad at how the future looks with no high end option from apple for Siri. The mini is trash

 

[boltjames]

What will you do with your multiple Homepods, now that there is a very real risk that Apple may not support them deep into the future or enable any updates.

Buy new ones.

It will not be an issue. HomePod exists to sell Apple Music subscriptions, and with about 15 million HomePods out there that's a lot of Apple Music subscribers they'd risk losing. Not going to happen.

 

[boltjames]

That single minded focus combined with Siri still being bagage and no Google Assistant support is why the Homepod Pro hasn't sold well enough to justify its continued existence to Apple.

My brother just moved into his first flat. As a move gift I bought him a Sonos Beam Soundbar. It roughly 30% more expensive but head and shoulders more versatile and future proof.

HomePod sold 15,000,000 units producing revenue of approximately $4.5 billion dollars.

While that may not be a big number to Apple, it means that in 3 years HomePod has brought in more revenue than Sonos has, and that's on a single sku, not an entire line of product. I'd be more worried about Sonos going belly-up in the next 5 years than I would Apple not providing firmware updates to HomePod and/or releasing a brand new HomePod Pro. Future proof? Not a worry for Apple consumers.

 

[Itinj24]

James, you’re starting to sound like a bot.... the HomePod is done for. Apple officially announced it. Go check their stock online or even a local Best Buy or Apple Store. Target, Walmart online, all gone. NIB selling on eBay for 400. Apple doesn’t discontinue a relatively new successful product.

 

[boltjames]

James, you’re starting to sound like a bot.... the HomePod is done for. Apple officially announced it. Go check their stock online or even a local Best Buy or Apple Store. Target, Walmart online, all gone. NIB selling on eBay for 400. Apple doesn’t discontinue a relatively new successful product.

I'm aware that Apple discontinued the HomePod as they now have a de-featured product at a more aggressive pricepoint to address the entry-level personal assistant space.

However, Apple is clearly still focused on sound quality, and be it a year or two down the road I fully expect a HomePod II or HomePod Pro or a Home Theater set with Mini's and a subwoofer to emerge. The problem (if you want to call a $300 product that sold 15M units and in and of itself the size of a Fortune 1000 company a problem) is that HomePod targeted a niche market that has plateaued and surely there are new technologies that Apple can apply to a new version when the time is right. My life doesn't change in any way. I've got what I need, they sound great, and if/when something better from Apple comes along I'll be onboard. If I need another HomePod or two in the next few years while its retired I'll just buy one preowned or refurbished, not a worry.

 

[Itinj24]

I'm aware that Apple discontinued the HomePod as they now have a de-featured product at a more aggressive pricepoint to address the entry-level personal assistant space.

However, Apple is clearly still focused on sound quality, and be it a year or two down the road I fully expect a HomePod II or HomePod Pro or a Home Theater set with Mini's and a subwoofer to emerge. The problem (if you want to call a $300 product that sold 15M units and in and of itself the size of a Fortune 1000 company a problem) is that HomePod targeted a niche market that has plateaued and surely there are new technologies that Apple can apply to a new version when the time is right. My life doesn't change in any way. I've got what I need, they sound great, and if/when something better from Apple comes along I'll be onboard. If I need another HomePod or two in the next few years while its retired I'll just buy one preowned or refurbished, not a worry.

I really hope you’re right. I really do. I would love to see a newer more advanced version of the HomePod in the future but they usually have a new product version ready for the old product’s departure. Sadly, I hope you’re right, but I’m not gonna hold my breath. There were rumors of a new version circulating only a few months ago but it seems the market has spoken. Mini it is... for now at least.

 

[boltjames]

I really hope you’re right. I really do. I would love to see a newer more advanced version of the HomePod in the future but they usually have a new product version ready for the old product’s departure. Sadly, I hope you’re right, but I’m not gonna hold my breath. There were rumors of a new version circulating only a few months ago but it seems the market has spoken. Mini it is... for now at least.

The pandemic has been a nightmare for supply chains and whatever Apple is going to launch at the March and October events surely is going to take precedence over HomePod. Chips, plastics, cartons, containers, testing, batteries, with the new Macbooks and whatever else they have coming it would make sense to dedicate those materials and those factory resources elsewhere. It's a niche product. Only a certain clientele has an Apple Music subscription and puts a premium on sound quality. It's not a set of AirPods.

And HomePod Mini needs help as having competition in the stores for customers to A/B and hear the weaker sound, not good to sell against oneself that way.

 

[ouimetnick]

HomePod sold 15,000,000 units producing revenue of approximately $4.5 billion dollars.

While that may not be a big number to Apple, it means that in 3 years HomePod has brought in more revenue than Sonos has, and that's on a single sku, not an entire line of product. I'd be more worried about Sonos going belly-up in the next 5 years than I would Apple not providing firmware updates to HomePod and/or releasing a brand new HomePod Pro. Future proof? Not a worry for Apple consumers.

How do we know they've sold 15 million HomePods. I thought it was speculated they've only sold 1-3 million original HomePods.. We will never know since Apple doesn't disclose the number of units sold, just revenue.

 

[boltjames]

How do we know they've sold 15 million HomePods. I thought it was speculated they've only sold 1-3 million original HomePods.. We will never know since Apple doesn't disclose the number of units sold, just revenue.

There are articles with datapoints one can use to make an educated guess:

"HomePod shipments actually increased year-over-year during Q4 2019, going from 1.6 million units to 2.6 million units, accounting for 4.7% market share."

2.6M units in Q4 likely translates to 5M units for the full year, multiply that by 3 years, take into account the initial launch, etc.

Strategy Analytics: HomePod sales grew in 2019, but Amazon and Google still lead - 9to5Mac

Strategy Analytics is out with a new report today covering the smart speaker industry during 2019. According to the data,...

9to5mac.com

 

[ouimetnick]

Damn... They must have shipping containers filled with pallets on top of pallets of these then. People on Reddit that bought a HomePod back in November/December were reporting an early 2018 manufacture date. I haven't seen anyone with a HomePod newer than early 2018. The 3 brand new ones I bought and several warranty replacements (bought 6 others from eBay) all have late 2017 or early 2018 serial numbers.

 

[boltjames]

Damn... They must have shipping containers filled with pallets on top of pallets of these then. People on Reddit that bought a HomePod back in November/December were reporting an early 2018 manufacture date. I haven't seen anyone with a HomePod newer than early 2018. The 3 brand new ones I bought and several warranty replacements (bought 6 others from eBay) all have late 2017 or early 2018 serial numbers.

No doubt Apple may have overestimated demand early on, but what is considered a lukewarm product by Apple standards is a multi-billion dollar business on 1 single sku, amazing by any normal standard.

I'm just grateful that Apple created such a wonderful product. I had a big missing link in my audiophile world when it came to digital. I'd converted my physical library for playback on iPhone and in my car but when it came to my home stereo, I just didn't bother, just lived without it and listened to my music exclusively through headphones or in my car during my daily commute. HomePod allowed me to get high quality sound in my living room, library, kitchen, master bathroom, just liberating. For me, it was the desire for HomePod that drove me to get an Apple Music subscription and sync my library after years of resisting. I just love them.

 

[ouimetnick]

I just skeptical about long term support. I disconnected my modem, and reset a HomePod. You need to be able to connect to Apple's servers to set it back up (I got an error).

What happens in 6-9 years when the security certificate expires and Apple doesn't release a software update for a discontinued product? How will you set up the HomePod? How will Siri work? AirPlay should be fine, but again, if you have to do a reset because something isn't working, you can't set it back up.

Here's my current set (2 others are elsewhere so you only see 7 of them) Notice how even though Apple discontinued the iPod HiFi way back in 2007, it still works perfectly. In 14 years these will probably not be working even though nothing is wrong with the hardware, but the 28 year old iPod HiFi will sing on.

 

[dukebound85]

I just skeptical about long term support. I disconnected my modem, and reset a HomePod. You need to be able to connect to Apple's servers to set it back up (I got an error).

What happens in 6-9 years when the security certificate expires and Apple doesn't release a software update for a discontinued product? How will you set up the HomePod? How will Siri work? AirPlay should be fine, but again, if you have to do a reset because something isn't working, you can't set it back up.

Here's my current set (2 others are elsewhere so you only see 7 of them) Notice how even though Apple discontinued the iPod HiFi way back in 2007, it still works perfectly. In 14 years these will probably not be working even though nothing is wrong with the hardware, but the 28 year old iPod HiFi will sing on.

no one knows

there is NO substitute imo to quality "dumb" speakers that can last decades

 

[ouimetnick]

no one knows

there is NO substitute imo to quality "dumb" speakers that can last decades

My Knight KN-800s in EV Aristocrat cabinets (both from the late 1950s) would like to chat with you. 😂 My newest set of speakers are Boston Acoustics VR-M90 and VR-M60 from 2002.. The company no longer exists, but things generally don't fail on passive speakers unless subject to abuse. The Bostons use butyl rubber surrounds so they last much longer than foam. I've refoamed several of my other vintage speakers (Ohm C2, etc)

 

[boltjames]

I just skeptical about long term support. I disconnected my modem, and reset a HomePod. You need to be able to connect to Apple's servers to set it back up (I got an error).

What happens in 6-9 years when the security certificate expires and Apple doesn't release a software update for a discontinued product? How will you set up the HomePod? How will Siri work? AirPlay should be fine, but again, if you have to do a reset because something isn't working, you can't set it back up.

Here's my current set (2 others are elsewhere so you only see 7 of them) Notice how even though Apple discontinued the iPod HiFi way back in 2007, it still works perfectly. In 14 years these will probably not be working even though nothing is wrong with the hardware, but the 28 year old iPod HiFi will sing on.

Who knows what the future holds? Hell, I'm an owner of a Slingbox 500 that's 6 years old and they told the world a few months ago that they are shutting the company, shutting the servers, and rendering a nice piece of functional hardware that let me stream my home DVR anywhere in the world on me forever. It's how it goes with tech these days.

So long as Apple Music is still going strong, so too shall support for the HomePod. 15M HomePods is a lot of Apple Music subscribers paying $150 a year. No HomePods, no Apple Music, at least for me.

 

[ouimetnick]

Who knows what the future holds? Hell, I'm an owner of a Slingbox 500 that's 6 years old and they told the world a few months ago that they are shutting the company, shutting the servers, and rendering a nice piece of functional hardware that let me stream my home DVR anywhere in the world on me forever. It's how it goes with tech these days.

So long as Apple Music is still going strong, so too shall support for the HomePod. 15M HomePods is a lot of Apple Music subscribers paying $150 a year. No HomePods, no Apple Music, at least for me.

The few people I know that use Apple Music (most of my friends use Spotify) only use it because if their Apple Watch. I don't know anyone nor have I met another HomePod owner.