HomePod Launches February 9, Available to Order Starting Friday in United States, UK, and Australia

[daijholt]

Personally, I’m not paying over £300 for a speaker that I can ask to set a timer for 10 minutes.

A quality music experience doesn’t come cheap my friend. The Siri integration is just a bonus.
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But my issue is having to subscribe to Apple music if I want to listen to music. I'm quite certain Apple aren't stupid enough to dictate that only Apple Music subscribers can listen to music and all those who have iTunes playlists can go take a long walk off a short cliff!
[doublepost=1516740876][/doublepost]Now, what about Radio... Is this thing TuneIn radio compatible?

You don’t need to subscribe to Apple Music. The speaker supports airplay so any app that also has airplay will be playable locally via HomePod. Only Apple Music will be supported for internet playback directly to homepod however.

As for radio, no clue. I’d guess no, unless tunein supports airplay.

 

[scouser75]

A quality music experience doesn’t come cheap my friend. The Siri integration is just a bonus.

My Sonos One came in at almost £200 cheaper than the pod and it has darned good sound... and it has Alexa. And soon it will have Google.... And soon it will have Airplay 2.... and, apparently... sometime in 2018 it will also have Siri. Now that's a lot for something that's A LOT cheaper than the pod. No?

 

[Jesse Waugh]

You and everyone else that believe that Apple is the holy Grail in privacy should read this rather interesting article. You might be surprised by what you find out.

https://decentralize.today/apple-vs...company-handles-your-data-better-a7022bd452b1

Umm.. you’re not reading my post right.
And just so you know, I think user security on Apple products has been compromised since Jobs died. I do believe he kept Apple products secure though.

 

[RamGuy]

The Sonos One is great for its price, but I expect the HomePod to sound better. The weakness of the Sonos Play:1/One is bass, its not able to go very deep so it sounds somewhat nurtured.

This is one of the many questions surrounding this product. How good does it actually sound? Considering its price point and how closed down it is in terms of ecosystem compared to Sonos products in needs to really deliver on audio and integration.

 

[jimmirehman]

Does anyone know if the cord is built in or detaches?

I don't think it detaches, of course those could have been special units that have built in cables for security purposes.

 

[Salty34]

[doublepost=1516742275][/doublepost]

I don't think it detaches, of course those could have been special units that have built in cables for security purposes.

I assume since in the box doesn't list a power cord, that it will be wired.

 

[kdarling]

Define "true stereo". As an audio engineer, I'd love to hear your technical explanation.

Whatever Apple uses is good enough for this conversation.

And Apple makes NO MENTION of the word "stereo" outside of the context of using two HomePods.

 

[kyleh22]

Echo is plugged in to an outlet constantly, iPhone is not.

Even when the iphone is plugged in, it is terrible at hearing me say "hey siri." Everyone I've talked to about this has similar complaints.

 

[PLondon]

The real genius of the HomePod is that it uses the location of your iPhone in your pocket or your Apple Watch on your wrist to locate you as the listener in the room and adjust the beam forming on the fly to locate you into the sweet spot so that the sound always makes your position the best seat in the house. However what is more impressive is that the analytic algorithms within the HomePod software test for, determine, and adjust the sound for the flooring type in your space to reduce the poor acoustics that concrete or hardwoods often produce. Likewise the music settings in the accompanying app allow you to effectively remaster music on the fly to produce a live concert sound or add a vinyl and needle dimension (without the record skipping of course). These are the sort of features that will bring in the cursory audio enthusiasts but likely further alienate the true purists.

That sounds like a terrible idea if that is indeed the case. I almost never have my iPhone near me when I'm at home so you are telling me this speaker will randomly focus the sound to wherever my phone happens to be at the time?

Also I find it hilarious that all these people think that Apple is going to produce a better speaker than all audio specialist companies have managed. For $399 you can buy some seriously good airplay speakers by audio companies that specialise in making speakers. If Apple can't improve on Siri and allow Spotify etc you have to be a pretty big fan boy to buy this.

 

[JForestZ34]

No multi-room audio yet. From the press release...

"Coming this year in a free software update, users will be able to play music throughout the house with multi-room audio."

too bad apple can never release anything with all the feature's from the get go..

And there are Apple Watch models retailing for over a thousand dollars.

What’s your point again?

Apple watch edition back a couple years ago didn't do too well when some cost 10k. I know people are still buying their products and there are certain people who still will no matter the price, but they should start thinking of lowering the prices on some stuff a little or they will price themselves out of the market...

James

 

[deanthedev]

Whatever Apple uses is good enough for this conversation.

And Apple makes NO MENTION of the word "stereo" outside of the context of using two HomePods.

And Apple makes NO MENTION of the word "mono" anywhere in the context of a single HomePod. They DO, however, say this:

Direct sound is beamed to the middle of the room, while ambient sound is diffused into left and right channels and bounced off the wall.

Funny, left and right channels. Like I said way back in my very first post (before I read this at Apples website about the HomePod).

I still struggle with the fact people seem to have a problem with this or doubt that's what the HomePod does. Seriously, what's the purpose of 7 tweeters and beamforming if you aren't going to separate and direct the sound?
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Also I find it hilarious that all these people think that Apple is going to produce a better smartphone than all cellular phone companies have managed.

Where have I heard this before?

 

[JediZenMaster]

I’ll take two. I love the privacy aspect of HomePod. You can have Your cheaper Alexa and google home.
[doublepost=1516745694][/doublepost]

too bad apple can never release anything with all the feature's from the get go..



Apple watch edition back a couple years ago didn't do too well when some cost 10k. I know people are still buying their products and there are certain people who still will no matter the price, but they should start thinking of lowering the prices on some stuff a little or they will price themselves out of the market...

James

Price themselves out of the market? I call that a myth as they aren’t trying to win new Apple users as more so priced this geared towards the existing user base.

There seems to be a mindset with some people that the goal of Apple should be like Amazon and google to have one in every home etc.

That’s where these companies are different. It will sell to people the way the Apple TV did which doesn’t mean it’s a dud as I’m sure what is considered a “dud” to Apple is what companies wish they could actual sell.

 

[davie18]

That seems like a business decision. Not a clinical "obsession". I suppose Apple's business decision could fail (some of them have), but if you're saying that Apple's default apps decision is a failure, reality disagrees with you so far.

That’s impossible to say seeing as you don’t know what reality would be if they made a different decision vs what it’s like now
[doublepost=1516746457][/doublepost]

It’s a streaming speaker. You have an iPhone with Spotify that can stream to the speaker. Problem solved.

The whole point of these smart speakers is voice recognition though...

 

[D.T.]

That’s one awfully expensive speaker...

It _depends_.

Major mistake: covered with fabric = white yellowing with time + dust magnet.

I've had some white fabric covers on audio equipment that stayed pristine through their very long life cycle (10+ years), I'd say it has everything to do with the specific material.

Now dust ... that's the enemy (I use some supplemental cooling fans on various equipment, holy smokes, it was a dust-o-rama the other day )

Define "true stereo". As an audio engineer, I'd love to hear your technical explanation.

Is it no longer stereo because it came from one device even if the experienced product is the same?

Regardless, a single HomePod is NOT going to sound like a single traditional speaker.

But I think it's important to allow ourselves to re-think our concepts of sound and music generation.

Outstanding posts (several from @deanthedev) , I think the only thing that might be up for debate is some marketing language (and the realization that some people are going to want more "traditional stereo".

 

[koruki]

In the 80's most people thought personal computers weren't needed.
In the 90's most people thought the internet wasn't needed.
In 2007 most people thought smartphones weren't really needed.
In 2010 most people thought the iPad wasn't really needed.
In 2015 most people thought smartwatches weren't really needed.

Home automation + smart assistants is gonna be huge. The industry is still in it's infancy, even today.

In 2018 most people still think the iPad isn't really needed.
In 2018 most people still think the smartwatches isn't really needed.

 

[MrJM]

I will stick with my Echo Dot connected to my Beats Beatbox. It cost an arm and a leg when I bought it but its the best speaker Ive ever heard in my life. Also, its still going strong after nearly 9 years and its used everyday!

 

[MartyCan]

Still wondering about a Canadian release date. I do travel to the US frequently enough. I could grab one there and bring it home with me maybe. The iOS update today specifically says it adds support for HomePod.

 

[PLondon]

And Apple makes NO MENTION of the word "mono" anywhere in the context of a single HomePod. They DO, however, say this:



Funny, left and right channels. Like I said way back in my very first post (before I read this at Apples website about the HomePod).

I still struggle with the fact people seem to have a problem with this or doubt that's what the HomePod does. Seriously, what's the purpose of 7 tweeters and beamforming if you aren't going to separate and direct the sound?
[doublepost=1516744614][/doublepost]

Where have I heard this before?

That's not a comparable example, but nice try. Also many people would argue that Apple don't make the best phones or phone OS anymore what with the X not being the great thing many expected. slow faceid, strange ratio and that notch... iOS 11 is just a mess.

 

[Fozziebear71]

Please.

More like take your Apple shades off. Amazon and Google do the same thing. Even the Amazon Tap didn't have Handsfree mode for almost a year.

I’m not interested in a Google or Amazon microphone in my house spying on me so I don’t care what they did or didn’t have upon release. I am interested in Apple products.

Please.

Troll someone else.

 

[deanthedev]

That's not a comparable example, but nice try. Also many people would argue that Apple don't make the best phones or phone OS anymore what with the X not being the great thing many expected. slow faceid, strange ratio and that notch... iOS 11 is just a mess.

Absolutely comparable. As I mentioned, I’m an audio engineer. So explain why it’s not - in technical terms.

Also, poor attempt at deflection and Apple bashing. You even forgot to mention throttling and battery issues.

 

[PLondon]

I’ll take two. I love the privacy aspect of HomePod. You can have Your cheaper Alexa and google home.
[doublepost=1516745694][/doublepost]

Price themselves out of the market? I call that a myth as they aren’t trying to win new Apple users as more so priced this geared towards the existing user base.

There seems to be a mindset with some people that the goal of Apple should be like Amazon and google to have one in every home etc.

That’s where these companies are different. It will sell to people the way the Apple TV did which doesn’t mean it’s a dud as I’m sure what is considered a “dud” to Apple is what companies wish they could actual sell.

Before you get too excited about Apple's privacy policy you should read this article. You might be surprised with what you learn.

https://decentralize.today/apple-vs...company-handles-your-data-better-a7022bd452b1
[doublepost=1516754244][/doublepost]

I’m not interested in a Google or Amazon microphone in my house spying on me so I don’t care what they did or didn’t have upon release. I am interested in Apple products.

Please.

Troll someone else.

Are you ok with Apple spying?

Read the below article and you might be swapping your Apple tinted glasses for Google pretty quickly...

https://decentralize.today/apple-vs...company-handles-your-data-better-a7022bd452b1

 

[Fozziebear71]

Before you get too excited about Apple's privacy policy you should read this article. You might be surprised with what you learn.

https://decentralize.today/apple-vs...company-handles-your-data-better-a7022bd452b1
[doublepost=1516754244][/doublepost]
Are you ok with Apple spying?

Read the below article and you might be swapping your Apple tinted glasses for Google pretty quickly...

https://decentralize.today/apple-vs...company-handles-your-data-better-a7022bd452b1

I’ve seen your 700 repetitive posts of this as responses to other peoples posts. I’m not reading some article from a liberal, left-wing website. Thanks though.

 

[PLondon]

Absolutely comparable. As I mentioned, I’m an audio engineer. So explain why it’s not - in technical terms.

Also, poor attempt at deflection and Apple bashing. You even forgot to mention throttling and battery issues.

It's not comparable as most smartphone companies had been in business for roughly the same amount of time and had the same amount of previous knowledge of the product.

In the audio market Apple are competing with companies with 50+ years experience producing audio products, untold hours of R&D and both technical and human resources that Apple doesn't currently have. Unless they have outsourced the development of the HomePod they simply do not have the experience and knowledge to currently compete with the established HiFi companies.

Enjoy you Audio engineering job. I can guarantee you though, that when I next pop into Abbey Road Studios they will still have B&W 805 Signatures in the studio and not HomePods.
[doublepost=1516755150][/doublepost]

I’ve seen your 700 repetitive posts of this as responses to other peoples posts. I’m not reading some article from a liberal, left-wing website. Thanks though.

Hahaha, fake news shouts the Trump voter as he closes the door to the trailer.

Facts are facts, you can read the privacy policy for Apple and Google and you will find in black and white that Apple is the only company of the two that shares your information with other companies without your consent. Google needs your permission to share your data with any third party. There is nothing left wing about facts.
[doublepost=1516755265][/doublepost]

Umm.. you’re not reading my post right.
And just so you know, I think user security on Apple products has been compromised since Jobs died. I do believe he kept Apple products secure though.

My apologies if I responded to the wrong part of your comment. And you are absolutely right, it was definitely better under Jobs.

 

[EdT]

A quality music experience doesn’t come cheap my friend. The Siri integration is just a bonus.
[doublepost=1516741560][/doublepost]
You don’t need to subscribe to Apple Music. The speaker supports airplay so any app that also has airplay will be playable locally via HomePod. Only Apple Music will be supported for internet playback directly to homepod however.

As for radio, no clue. I’d guess no, unless tunein supports airplay.

Airplay. You buy a dedicated sound device and have to use multiple apps, some that you cannot use voice control with, to listen to the music from that source. Here’s an idea- Apple could let that music software have direct access to the HomePod and you could use the HomePod to control, say Spotify, exactly the same as you would Apple Music. Use some money to bump up both the quality and selection of Apple Music and you win that war anyway. Limit your hardware and I bet you lose this one. You’re not offering something that people can’t get elsewhere with this hardware, the way you did with the iPod and the iPhone.

 

[johngordon]

That sounds like a terrible idea if that is indeed the case. I almost never have my iPhone near me when I'm at home so you are telling me this speaker will randomly focus the sound to wherever my phone happens to be at the time?

Also I find it hilarious that all these people think that Apple is going to produce a better speaker than all audio specialist companies have managed. For $399 you can buy some seriously good airplay speakers by audio companies that specialise in making speakers. If Apple can't improve on Siri and allow Spotify etc you have to be a pretty big fan boy to buy this.

Presumably if the phone is in a different room, it won't make the different room the sweet spot.

And I'm not sure it needs to be that noticeably better a speaker. Just not that noticeably worse a speaker. But have the convenience of streaming Apple music / siri. If people have an Apple Music subscription Spotify isn't really an issue.