HomePod HomePod Future

[b4omega269]

So the original HomePod has been discontinued for a few months now. Despite this in the few months preceding the announcement, Apple added the Home Theater feature with Apple TV 4K. They also after discontinuing them gave them a new feature of being the default audio output for your TV using ARC/eARC on the brand new Apple TV 4K. Both features which as of this moment aren’t available to the HomePod Mini. The packaging of the new Apple TV 4K even features a HomePod on the back to discuss features. Doesn’t that all seem a bit odd? The product is discontinued to allegedly focus on the Mini but you add new features to the one that isn’t the focus?

This is just my own personal speculation but I’m wondering if the poor sales (or at least perception of them) and the use of an older chip (A8) in a time of chip shortages led to it being discontinued before the replacement was ready but the replacement is around the corner. Why would you add new features if you didn’t have a current product to use them? I think it’s because you planned to have a new HomePod ready but pandemic delays prevented that. Just surprised the software was rolled out anyway. Any other theories as to why Apple would do this or do you agree that it’s a sign of a new HomePod on the horizon?

 

[pup]

I think those software updates just come down to the TVos team not being in the loop about the HomePod fate until it was announced. A decision like that will be kept within the small circle of the leadership team until the announcement. If you start telling software teams to stop working on HomePod integration, then the news will be in the press the next day.

As for the future, who's to say at this point. It will depend on the success of the mini and what their plans may be to grow the market if the mini sales meet expectations. The original one certainly didn't. I think it's too early to make any assumptions about mini sales at this point - supposedly people were pretty excited about them at launch time, but we're already seeing them sold at 20% off, which is never a good sign for an Apple product.

I've said from the beginning that to me, for Apple to succeed in that market, they've got to abandon their one product philosophy and make an entire range of speakers to create an ecosystem. Or just straight up buy Sonos, which is really what they should do.

 

[haralds]

audioOS v1.5 includes the HomePod as will the next few years of updates. A lot of engineers at Apple love audio, I think you will see long-term support. The minis are good (I have two stereo pairs,) but the bigger ones are MUCH better (also have two pairs of them.) It's so nice to have audio throughout the house.

 

[Itinj24]

I’ve been saying that I think Apple gave the OG HomePod all the love with features because they wanted to try to sell out their remaining inventory as fast as possible. C’mon, don’t think for a second they couldn’t implement default audio to the Mini when they did it with the OG. Apple knew this was a feature people been asking for. They aren’t stupid lol. And of course, interestingly enough as the OG stock dwindled down to nothing, the Mini is getting default audio with TVOS15 lol.

 

[b4omega269]

But do you think the Mini can really be enough for the smart home? Even Amazon with their more budget priced speakers sells some higher end ones as well. I know there have been rumors of the Apple TV and HomePod sound bar mashup. Maybe the minis will be useable as surrounds if something like that is released.

 

[Itinj24]

But do you think the Mini can really be enough for the smart home? Even Amazon with their more budget priced speakers sells some higher end ones as well. I know there have been rumors of the Apple TV and HomePod sound bar mashup. Maybe the minis will be useable as surrounds if something like that is released.

No I don’t think the mini is enough and I hope they come out with a V2 but the market has spoken

 

[pup]

If Apple released a better product, the market could speak again.

 

[BobRey77]

This is just my own personal speculation but I’m wondering if the poor sales (or at least perception of them) and the use of an older chip (A8) in a time of chip shortages led to it being discontinued before the replacement was ready but the replacement is around the corner. Why would you add new features if you didn’t have a current product to use them? I think it’s because you planned to have a new HomePod ready but pandemic delays prevented that. Just surprised the software was rolled out anyway. Any other theories as to why Apple would do this or do you agree that it’s a sign of a new HomePod on the horizon?

It really is a bit of a mystery. Your theory sounds reasonable and is as good as any I've heard. I continue to believe that a follow on product is in the works that sounds as good or better than the OG HomePod and which incorporates the technology that is currently unique to the mini. Real surround utilizing the OG HomePod and/or its replacement combined with the minis would be a real game changer. Maybe throw in a HomeSub for those who aren't satisfied with the bass output of the OG HomePod to really complete the picture. With all that in place the traditional Home Theatre setup with all the boxes and wires would really start to look obsolete.

 

[cjbryce]

It really is a bit of a mystery. Your theory sounds reasonable and is as good as any I've heard. I continue to believe that a follow on product is in the works that sounds as good or better than the OG HomePod and which incorporates the technology that is currently unique to the mini. Real surround utilizing the OG HomePod and/or its replacement combined with the minis would be a real game changer. Maybe throw in a HomeSub for those who aren't satisfied with the bass output of the OG HomePod to really complete the picture. With all that in place the traditional Home Theatre setup with all the boxes and wires would really start to look obsolete.

This is my dream. I have two stereo pairs of OG and one of Mini. If true surround was available from these, I’d sell my KEF Eggs, Denon receiver and B&W floorstanders and give away about 50m of speaker cable. I know the sound wouldn’t be quite as good, but for me the convenience would massively outweigh that.

 

[boltjames]

So the original HomePod has been discontinued for a few months now. Despite this in the few months preceding the announcement, Apple added the Home Theater feature with Apple TV 4K. They also after discontinuing them gave them a new feature of being the default audio output for your TV using ARC/eARC on the brand new Apple TV 4K. Both features which as of this moment aren’t available to the HomePod Mini. The packaging of the new Apple TV 4K even features a HomePod on the back to discuss features. Doesn’t that all seem a bit odd? The product is discontinued to allegedly focus on the Mini but you add new features to the one that isn’t the focus?

This is just my own personal speculation but I’m wondering if the poor sales (or at least perception of them) and the use of an older chip (A8) in a time of chip shortages led to it being discontinued before the replacement was ready but the replacement is around the corner. Why would you add new features if you didn’t have a current product to use them? I think it’s because you planned to have a new HomePod ready but pandemic delays prevented that. Just surprised the software was rolled out anyway. Any other theories as to why Apple would do this or do you agree that it’s a sign of a new HomePod on the horizon?

The original HomePod was a sales success, selling over 15 million units and driving $4.5 billion dollars in revenue. That 1 product was bigger than the entire Sonos company, not to mention helping push Apple Music to become the #1 streaming service in the United States.

The original HomePod lost money because Apple built it to support a $349 retail and way too many were sold at $299 or $249. Great product, but overdesigned and lacking features by today's standards, and not profitable. Apple learned what the price ceiling was for critical mass, and $349 isn't it. Cost needs to come down.

Apple will launch a new HomePod Pro or HomePod Max this Christmas. They likely originally intended to have a smooth transition last month coinciding with lossless and spatial, but the chip shortages, work shortages, and other supply-chain issues meant that they had to delay a few products and HomePod was one of them. Apple is completely overhauling their Macbooks and iMacs, new iPhones and iPads, something had to give and HomePod was it.

 

[MacDevil7334]

The original HomePod was a sales success, selling over 15 million units and driving $4.5 billion dollars in revenue. That 1 product was bigger than the entire Sonos company, not to mention helping push Apple Music to become the #1 streaming service in the United States.

The original HomePod lost money because Apple built it to support a $349 retail and way too many were sold at $299 or $249. Great product, but overdesigned and lacking features by today's standards, and not profitable. Apple learned what the price ceiling was for critical mass, and $349 isn't it. Cost needs to come down.

Apple will launch a new HomePod Pro or HomePod Max this Christmas. They likely originally intended to have a smooth transition last month coinciding with lossless and spatial, but the chip shortages, work shortages, and other supply-chain issues meant that they had to delay a few products and HomePod was one of them. Apple is completely overhauling their Macbooks and iMacs, new iPhones and iPads, something had to give and HomePod was it.

I bought a brand new HomePod from Apple last month (loving it btw). But the manufacture date was week 51 of 2017. I’m not sure you can call any product that still has original stock laying around 3 years later a “sales success”. It may have sold a good number of units. But, it clearly didn’t come close to living up to Apple’s expectations.

Do you have any sources for that last paragraph or is it all speculation? I agree a HomePod nicer than the Mini is likely at some point in the future. But I haven’t seen anything suggesting Christmas or that the chip shortage is to blame for the delay.

 

[robjulo]

I bought a brand new HomePod from Apple last month (loving it btw). But the manufacture date was week 51 of 2017. I’m not sure you can call any product that still has original stock laying around 3 years later a “sales success”. It may have sold a good number of units. But, it clearly didn’t come close to living up to Apple’s expectations.

Do you have any sources for that last paragraph or is it all speculation? I agree a HomePod nicer than the Mini is likely at some point in the future. But I haven’t seen anything suggesting Christmas or that the chip shortage is to blame for the delay.

He's literally making up numbers and completely guessing at what is going to happen.

 

[boltjames]

I bought a brand new HomePod from Apple last month (loving it btw). But the manufacture date was week 51 of 2017. I’m not sure you can call any product that still has original stock laying around 3 years later a “sales success”.

There is no doubt Apple made too many, and the sellthru didn’t meet expectations. But it sold very well at a lower price so look for Apple to create a HomePod Max at $299, profit problem solved.

Do you have any sources for that last paragraph or is it all speculation?

Educated guess based on sales data leaks from credible sources. Google HomePod sales units, you’ll find articles referring to Q4 sales, Q1 sales, HomePod outperforming Sonos, etc.

 

[MacDevil7334]

There is no doubt Apple made too many, and the sellthru didn’t meet expectations. But it sold very well at a lower price so look for Apple to create a HomePod Max at $299, profit problem solved.

Apple dropped the price of the HomePod to $299 in April 2019 and it still didn’t sell. Why would another HomePod model at that same price point do better?

Educated guess based on sales data leaks from credible sources. Google HomePod sales units, you’ll find articles referring to Q4 sales, Q1 sales, HomePod outperforming Sonos, etc.

Since Apple doesn’t publish sales figures, those articles are inferences from supply chain data at best and guesses at worst. Speculating from already weak sources just compounds the problem. If the original HomePod sales were really blowing Sonos out of the water, it wouldn’t have been abruptly discontinued and Apple wouldn’t still be clearing out launch day stock three years later. Those are not things that happen when a product is a success.

 

[BobRey77]

Whatever the numbers are, it's clear that sales picked up to a brisk pace when the product was discontinued without a price reduction and appears now to be sold out. Not sure what this all means other than a follow on product is almost certainly in the works.

Here's hoping.

 

[satchmo]

It’s conceivable that Apple has decided to permanently leave the larger smart speaker space. I mean they’ve now taken 2 kicks at the can and it’s success is debatable.

There were also rumours of a Facebook Portal-like device was in the works. So speaker with attached display.

 

[BobRey77]

Yes, that's also possible.

 

[boltjames]

Apple dropped the price of the HomePod to $299 in April 2019 and it still didn’t sell. Why would another HomePod model at that same price point do better?

HomePod sold 15 million units in less than 3 years at a range of prices from $199 to $349. Apple knows what the sweet spot is and can now build a replacement product that is more profitable and adds functionality like Bluetooth or wireless Lossless.

Since Apple doesn’t publish sales figures, those articles are inferences from supply chain data at best and guesses at worst. Speculating from already weak sources just compounds the problem

Please. This is a fan discussion forum. Every blogger and YouTuber does the same thing. The site is called Mac Rumors for cripesakes.

If the original HomePod sales were really blowing Sonos out of the water, it wouldn’t have been abruptly discontinued and Apple wouldn’t still be clearing out launch day stock three years later.

The original iPod was a weak seller, Apple overestimated consumer desire, Apple had too much inventory. Then they figured it out, released a Windows version, and it changed the entire music business.

It is entirely possible to overdesign a product, overprice a product, buy too many, mark it down, and in the process discover there is a 4 billion dollar business there for the taking by building a proper replacement. That’s what’s happening.

 

[boltjames]

It’s conceivable that Apple has decided to permanently leave the larger smart speaker space

No. It is inconceivable. Lossless, and particularly Spacial, says otherwise.

 

[BobRey77]

No. It is inconceivable. Lossless, and particularly Spacial, says otherwise.

I agree that Apple is very likely working on a replacement for the OG HomePod and stated so above. However, I do not think a complete departure from the market is inconceivable. At this point the jury is still out.

 

[pup]

The original iPod was a weak seller, Apple overestimated consumer desire, Apple had too much inventory. Then they figured it out, released a Windows version, and it changed the entire music business.

No. iPod sales were in fact one of Apple’s financial high points even before Windows compatibility, which was announced a mere eight months after introduction. Source.

Your need to continually fabricate things to back up your opinions is weird. It’s ok to just say that something is what you think or hope will happen. You don’t have to present it as fact and then make up a bunch of stuff to ‘prove’ it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I have to say, other than the latency on pausing/skipping around on video & audio, an OG Stereo Pair is simply fantastic as a computer speaker setup.

I have moved mine out of the living room and I think they may stay by my computer

(for now - not a solution when doing any editing, sadly -- damned Apple -- just an input jack --- would it have killed you?)

 

[SegNerd]

I really have no idea how the HomePod ever got released in the first place. They tried to enter a market that was already saturated with products so much better and cheaper that it was just never going to work.

I know there are probably a handful of people who just love theirs, and I understand - I mean, I have loved a few "cult favorite" products myself. Apple makes high quality products, and the HomePod is probably no exception. But I'm not going to buy one, and most other people won't either. Even if it sold millions of units, the fact that it was discontinued after one rev proves it did not meet Apple's sales expectations.

 

[Phil77354]

... A lot of engineers at Apple love audio, I think you will see long-term support. The minis are good (I have two stereo pairs,) but the bigger ones are MUCH better (also have two pairs of them.) It's so nice to have audio throughout the house.

I agree.

But do you think the Mini can really be enough for the smart home?

No, personally, I do not.

I have to say, other than the latency on pausing/skipping around on video & audio, an OG Stereo Pair is simply fantastic as a computer speaker setup.

I have moved mine out of the living room and I think they may stay by my computer

I feel the same way, but I have four so a pair has been placed by my computer since day 1, the other two are in the living room (one) and bedroom (one).

I know that the HomePod has been controversial since the beginning because of the price, but I have not regretted the purchase for a single day. I find the sound absolutely terrific and the integration with my home network and Apple Music, plus Siri (faults and all), makes them completely satisfactory for me.

And if Apple brings out a new HomePod 'Pro' or something similar, with high-end sound, I will buy a couple of those as well, you can count on it.

I purchased one mini and so far haven't used it other than trying it out for a short time when I first received it. It's a nice enough small speaker and inexpensive, but my interest is much more for high quality audio, and the HomePods are great as far as I'm concerned.

 

[SigEp265]

So I picked up 2 HomePod minis on sale and they dont sound as great as the original, but they seem to have more features? I can move my phone close to the HomePod mini and be able to control it with an on screen pop up. Do you think this feature would ever come to the original HomePod ?

edit: or do i somehow have this feature turned off on OG HomePod?

edit 2: after some research it looks like the HomePod mini has better handoff features because of the U1 chip? Ugh