Most people already have speakers. Does this do something that special for them to drop close to $400? Actually it probably does less since it doesn't play well outside the walled garden.
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HomePod is Now Widely Available at Apple Stores
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Most people already have speakers. Does this do something that special for them to drop close to $400? Actually it probably does less since it doesn't play well outside the walled garden.
Yet if it's sold out people will say there is a short supply
apple just can't win...but I guess people will say anything to fit their agenda
It's just one person's review.. but the line that stands out in that review is:
It’s meant to be a speaker for those who don’t care that much about sound, or a standalone device for those who do care about audio quality, but want something small and unobtrusive for a specific room.
You can take it for what it's worth!
Please, find me a speaker for even triple your "$50 product" that plays music this well, self contained.
Honestly, I think listening in an audio hostile area like an Apple Store floor area would be the perfect way to audition them. Apple is touting the on-the-fly room adjustments the speakers make so they sound great in any room. If they should good on an wide open acoustically challenged store floor then they should sound amazing in a quiet home.
A $50.00 product? Maybe if you are just talking voice command features, but speaking from a sound quality experience it's price is almost a bargain . Google Home Max for example, costs more, and from the reviews I've read doesn't sound as good. I can't wait to hear this thing. I have a Sony Bluetooth speaker I might replace with it. (FYI, that was 5 or 6 hundred $) So to each their own, but for an ALL Apple person who appreciates sound quality this is worth the price and then some.
I don't need one, do not buy. I don't need one, do not buy. As one sits in my shopping cart in the app.
That makes zero sense really. By its very nature, it's a background, not critical listening speaker. No audiophile is looking for a stand-alone speaker anymore than a race track driver is looking for fast car with an automatic transmission.
That said, I think it is a mistake that Apple did not include a software equalizer. OK, Apple's algorithm automatically compensates based on the type of music played fine. That's an automatic transmission. But even automatic transmissions these days, also program driven, have a manual override, albeit with no clutch. That would be the equalizer here. Because sometimes you can make wiser, faster shifting choices than a computer. Sometimes a computer doesn't share your listening ear.
Dunno why anyone includes the cost of an extended warranty into the calculus of product value. By that metric, a great many objects are suddenly costed out of consideration and right into NFW land. I have a lot of Apple devices and still can't figure out how Apple they managed to get such a 'gotta have Apple Care on everything I buy' mindset entrenched. That's a pretty big repudiation of an expectation of build quality.
Holy crap, they packed an Audi A8 in there? Take that Elon.
Stop all this conspicuous consumption madness now! At least go to the store and touch it, listen to it. Most of the time when I'm in your position and I go to the store I come out "what's the big deal," and I'm cured for that product. If I have to think about pressing the "buy" button I usually don't need it.
How is the sync with voices?
I would consider this just for use with the AppleTV in the living room if it has good voice sync.
Also: Does it STAY connected to the HomePod? Like - when you turn on the ATV does it automatically reconnect?
Given that it's a product many will want to demo before buying, it's not surprising.
My bigger question is how Apple will demo the product in store.
Just thought I would mention that the automatic transmission bit is not really true any more. If you go to track-night at a drag strip you'll see most people rocking automatic transmissions (not stock of course). It's damn hard for a human to beat them these days!
It's also not surprising it has in store stock the day of launch. Even the iPhone X had some in store stock launch day.
It's Friday...most people are at work.
It's Friday...most people are at work.
This thing is worth $350 just for the easy setup and wonderful thoughtful packaging. The great sound is extra.
Umm, correct me if I'm wrong but you should be able to AirPlay audio to it just fine from the Apple TV. I have an AirPlay speaker in the same room as an Apple TV hooked up to a projector, and can airplay the audio just fine to the speaker to have sound without having to run a cable across the room.
[doublepost=1518207075][/doublepost]I must commend Apple on finally releasing a product that you can actually buy at the store on release day without a huge hassle.
This must be a first for them, right?
Way too many variations here that wouldn't positively reflect the HomePod. That would depend on where the HomePod is positioned in the store, But if you have a store that's hectic with a high volume of customers talking, phones ringing,etc, there's no way you can accurately judge how the HomePod sounds based on that environment alone. You have to factor in those who actually have a HomePod in your house, you will be able to hear more nuanced tones and how the HomePod would ultimately sound depending how they have it stationed and what kind of room, how high the ceilings are, etc. That's all relative to the experience.
That said, some stores are not nearly as busy as other Apple stores, where the HomePod experience might be more appropriate to have it appropriately demonstrated. As others have alluded to in other threads, listening in store has not been the most ideal situation to determine on the sound alone due to the environment.
Umm, correct me if I'm wrong but you should be able to AirPlay audio to it just fine from the Apple TV. I have an AirPlay speaker in the same room as an Apple TV hooked up to a projector, and can airplay the audio just fine to the speaker to have sound without having to run a cable across the room.
[doublepost=1518207075][/doublepost]I must commend Apple on finally releasing a product that you can actually buy at the store on release day without a huge hassle.
This must be a first for them, right?
May as well get a soundbar and sub from sonos if you want speakers for the tv. It's not as if Siri adds much value to it anyways. Besides, there's Siri on phone or watch.