That's just silly. Just to be clear, Atmos itself isn't a gimmick but the producing of Atmos effects through psychoacoustics is a "gimmick" in my view. The science behind psychoacoustics is very real, but Atmos from 2 speakers is NOT Atmos from a multi-speaker speaker system, it is just an approximation.
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HomePod Mini Reviews: 'Remarkably Big Sound' Despite Compact Design
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That may be but, for $99, it will be easier for me to fine with HomePod mini’s limitations.
Ah. Good point. I was also wondering whether it would make a good travel speaker but that WiFi issue sounds like a show-stopper. What a shame.
I have to agree with the messy navigation.
‘you can set up to confirm with a ping instead of voice.
‘I have the alexa Studios. They sound different than the homepods, sometime better some time not as good.
‘the integration with amazon is beneficial. When the studios work, the automation exceeds the homepods. Loose power or internet interruption, the studios seems to have a problem reacquainting the WiFi.
Siri isn’t without fault.
since I can default to Apple Music on the studios, they get far more use than the homepods
Well said... I should work at being clearer. Thank you! Atmos as designed is great. This approximation just seems like a marketing ploy to me, and some people buy into it, pun intended.
Walter, ‘reputable‘ is an extremely variable word Depending how you’re applying it and who you’re applying it to. The verge has had many inconsistencies both in the past and that goes without saying especially with Apple and how they have been over cynical intentionally.
Interesting questions, tried to google an answer but no joy. We will have to see when they come out. However, should be noted the max power output of a MacBook TB3 connector is 10 watts. The charger that comes with it is 20 watts.
It does not have bluetooth, but this article suggests you can do peer to peer Airplay without a network.
How to AirPlay audio to HomePod without Wi-Fi
Learn how to stream music from your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to your HomePod even when you have no Wi-Fi connection.
www.idownloadblog.com
Nope. Didn’t have to in order to comment on that member saying ‘other speakers do more‘, when the context is about the sound being the primary here, not just the ‘functionality of other speakers’, given you spend more, you get a better product.
I've tried quite a few different speakers over the years:
On top of plenty of Bluetooth speakers over the years,
Google Home Mini: convenient size, but sounded terrible, and I had/have privacy concerns.
Sonos: I have a full surround setup with soundbar and sub. It sounds great, but its app is terrible. It feels like every time I fire it up I need to update my system. For now, I just keep them set up the family room for when we watch movies. Listening to music on it is a hassle...
HomePod: This has been the easiest and best sounding solution for me. I was incredibly surprised at the sound quality, and it integrates so well with my other apple devices. If it wasn't for the price, I'd have more of them all over the house.
I just ordered two HP Minis, and I'm going to put them into a stereo setup in my office so I don't need to have AirPods in all day. It seems like a great option with the ease of use, a solid sound experience (hopefully), but with the size benefit of the smaller speakers. We'll see when they arrive, but I'm hoping for the best.
I don't use any of the smart assistants beyond "what's the weather today?", or any of the home integrations, so that side of the coin has no effect on my decisions. I guess we'll see in early December when they show up!
On top of plenty of Bluetooth speakers over the years,
Google Home Mini: convenient size, but sounded terrible, and I had/have privacy concerns.
Sonos: I have a full surround setup with soundbar and sub. It sounds great, but its app is terrible. It feels like every time I fire it up I need to update my system. For now, I just keep them set up the family room for when we watch movies. Listening to music on it is a hassle...
HomePod: This has been the easiest and best sounding solution for me. I was incredibly surprised at the sound quality, and it integrates so well with my other apple devices. If it wasn't for the price, I'd have more of them all over the house.
I just ordered two HP Minis, and I'm going to put them into a stereo setup in my office so I don't need to have AirPods in all day. It seems like a great option with the ease of use, a solid sound experience (hopefully), but with the size benefit of the smaller speakers. We'll see when they arrive, but I'm hoping for the best.
I don't use any of the smart assistants beyond "what's the weather today?", or any of the home integrations, so that side of the coin has no effect on my decisions. I guess we'll see in early December when they show up!
Good point regarding power output. Powering a HomePod mini from a laptop might not be a good idea.
I should have recalled this ability. I haven't had the need to try Airplay without a network but with the mini being possibly a good travel companion this is good to know. Thanks for the link, I'm going to try it when my mini arrives (don't want to mess with my current HomePod).It does not have bluetooth, but this article suggests you can do peer to peer Airplay without a network.
How to AirPlay audio to HomePod without Wi-Fi
Learn how to stream music from your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to your HomePod even when you have no Wi-Fi connection.
Yes. I used my laptop as a wifi-hub. I haven't tried since then, 2 years ago, but it was not easy. I had to reset the HomePod! They have made it easier with software updates (to switch networks), but I had to retry several times. The combination of hotel internet, my MacBook Pro, seemed to not be ideal for a steady wifi signal.
What ultimately worked better was I also travel with what is essentially a portable router (lol), doesn't everyone one? yes I travel THAT much and I am THAT much of a nerd. Anyway this device does play well with hotel wifi, and then re-broadcasts it. It also acts as a file server when you attach a hard drive. Why would I do this? Sometimes I am at a hotel for a week, or in a country without English TV (gets depressing). Or sometimes there are family members with me. I have a 5tb drive full of movies. Anyway this will work.
RAVPower FileHub, Travel Router AC750, Wireless SD Card Reader, Connect Portable SSD Hard Drive to iPhone iPad Tablet Smart Phone Laptop for Photo Backup, Data Transfer, Portable NAS, 6700mAh Battery
RAVPower FileHub, Travel Router AC750, Wireless SD Card Reader, Connect Portable SSD Hard Drive to iPhone iPad Tablet Smart Phone Laptop for Photo Backup, Data Transfer, Portable NAS, 6700mAh Battery
www.amazon.com
Ultimately, traveling with the original HomePod, like the Sonos Move, just wasn't in the cards for me due to weight (I primarily fly when traveling). But I think if I go that route with the Mini, I might configure a mini once and then just forget about it. i.e. only use it for travel so it remembers its configuration rather than repeating it. I know that sounds extravagant but I pay that much for a decent bluetooth speaker that sits in my suitcase anyway.
FINALLY lol... I did just google this whole concept of HomePod without a network, and apparently you can now do peer to peer (i.e. phone to HomePod) without a network. This of course might be the preferred route if one doesn't travel with their own router.
How to AirPlay audio to HomePod without Wi-Fi
Learn how to stream music from your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to your HomePod even when you have no Wi-Fi connection.
www.idownloadblog.com
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Okay so now you have me thinking about this... I might go the portable router route if I want to set up a stereo pair of Minis while traveling LOL. 1.5 pounds combined. Mmmmmm.
I got two coming next week. Should be fun.
Heard enough today to order one. Love the "candle holder" form factor. Will look a lot better on a table/shelf than a big clunky speaker. Wish it was rechargeable but oh well that would erode the price point. This one is gonna be a big hit!!! (except for audiophiles...)
atmos from a 3.3 inch or similar sized speaker, atmos from a sound bar and atmos from an iPad is absolute rubbish and dilutes the name and intent of atmos. I have a 7.1.4 system. That is atmos-not from two small speakers or an iPad-that’s marketing BS
it’s like calling the 12.9 inch iPad prop “cinama tic” watching a movie on...anyone can do it but it’s a joke
You're enjoying Atmos as it is intended and that's great. On the flip side not everyone can have such a setup or want one so I understand the desire for products to simulate sound effects. Whether simulated results are believable and add value to the movie watching experience is I suppose the argument. Many smaller systems do allow you to disable these effects if they are more distracting than useful.
As with anything audio related, if anyone is on the fence, try to get a demo. Alas that's not always possible especially during a pandemic.
I really do love this website. Such great input. I would live to do a demo, I just don’t know that even an apple store would have a stereo pair demo, much less one for HomePods and one for minis, much less in a pandemic.
a 'Bookshelf system' is a complete stereo system - no smart speaker will nor should ever be expected to compete/compare.
i.e. bookshelf systems like what Technics/Sony/Aiwa/Pioneer etc used to make (NOT component stereo systems meant for a complete living room/family room entertainment centre setup).
Well you want to compare ... try it out with a reference system yourself. These reviewers are comparing this product with like products within the same product market segment, as they should.
You're right. Absolutely right.
Yet that's NOT what Apple nor its target audience for this product is really after.
When will the nay-sayers about smart-speakers ever going to understand and accept that there are a LOT of people that PREFER to purchase a Speaker - for it's namesake first and foremost.
A speaker!
Many users WANT to listen to music on a speaker first as a priority use case. The smart features come 3rd and after wirelessly projecting music from a sound source within the same ecosystem.
I look a Apple's approach and ecosystem vs the competition like this :
Competition (be it Samsung/Amazon's Alexa/Google's Assistant) ...
- like many of the computers we use in Windows or Linux with all the add-ons and accessories today and for the last 25yrs. They work pretty good together for a while! Anyone comes over with their <part/device> it'll work. maybe with some fiddling (adapter, drivers, another software, firmware update, etc) but it works.
- be damned if they come over and start using ever feature/function despite your request for them NOT to without your permission or when you're not looking or paying attention. It works - even when you don't want some things to work for guests or strangers.
- It'll all work for a while ... UNTIL something goes very wrong, out of your control, with/out your doing. When the support calls need to be made ... all those vendors/manufacturers etc start pointing fingers with plausible reasoning that ... 'it's the other guy/component' and round and round the merry-go-round you go.
Apple's ecosystem:
- Think Man of Steel where Jor-El had soldiers escort him to his house front door. All he had to do was make a gesture and Keelix (his assistant) did EXACTLY his bidden when and how he expected it to. The visitors (soldiers) cannot do much.
- your guests can do some things and enjoy some features, but they cannot request/listen to your private communications.
> Siri ... is supposed to be THE dumbest AI, yet it knows MY voice vs any friends on the same Wi-Fi network; nice.
- I invision or like Keelix as Siri ... it works for ME on my device fully for what it offers and for most features a visitor/guest would in my home or while borrowing my devices. That along with Touch ID/Face ID my private locked info remains as such.
I think Apple has thought out their target market offerings and features and goals LONG LONG ahead of what we're experiencing and I'm VERY happy for it.
Does it not remind you of Jobs and John Mayer at GarageBand introduction where Mayer stated if he had Garageband he'd LOCK himself in his bedroom and NEVER come out?
I see the HomePod Mini doing that exactly with young kids.
Me ... I just ordered 2 for the bedroom for night tables and waiting on Black Friday for LED light strips (x3) : 2 for either side of the bed, 1 on the headboard. Barry White mood! 'whatever whatever'
HA yep. I love the idea of my kids listening to music all day. I don't allow any of them to have iPads or phones as of yet, but music is so much better to expand the mind in my opinion.Does it not remind you of Jobs and John Mayer at GarageBand introduction where Mayer stated if he had Garageband he'd LOCK himself in his bedroom and NEVER come out?
I see the HomePod Mini doing that exactly with young kids.
Me ... I just ordered 2 for the bedroom for night tables and waiting on Black Friday for LED light strips (x3) : 2 for either side of the bed, 1 on the headboard. Barry White mood! 'whatever whatever'
I may to copy your Barry White mood headboard idea. lol
Feel free to copy the Barry White idea ... I immediately caught that when Craig opened the M1 MBA and the music played. It's comical as he's a rocker and guitar player growing up so I'm curious if that track was fully his own take or did someone else help him out on that.
And I fully agree that music is great to expand the mind.
1. There is a direct relation to music and math. After all music (2/4, 4/4, 3/4 eeek time in scale is mathematical; whole notes, half notes, 8th notes, 16th notes.
2. Music, like smells has a direct link to the human mind and stays with us our entire lives, even in mental or physical trauma or after severe coma's or narcotics sourced mental trauma.
3. We all begin life listening to music, regardless of race, culture, language etc. Even before we're born we're listening to music ... everyone's first rhythm is a bass clef ... the heartbeat of your mother, then your own.
Here is a nice fun exercise ... Regardless of the genre or artist, name all the songs you know that if you hear just the notes of the first bar you can identify the song accurately just by ear. For me most songs I need to hear the chorus, or 4 bars or more to truly KNOW the song, even if I've listened to it a hundred times before.
Marvin Gaye:
Sexual Healing
What's Going On
Let's Get it On
Barry White:
Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up
You're The One I Need
Sade:
Sweetest Taboo
Smooth Operator
Cherish The Day
Simply Red:
Holding Back The Years
There is many many more but these are few for me at random when not ready for it, even blindfolded or concentrating on something completely unrelated I can pick these songs out - if I can hear them. VERY curious which your children would know for your own curiosity.
PS: regarding narcotics causing mental trauma. I have a friend I grew up with for 19yrs, whom chose to drop microdots and somehow fell asleep within 2hrs after dosing at a party I didn't not attend. He was awakend to screaming of a parent who was outraged her daughter ran away and was at the party (GF of a mutal friend). When he awoke his mind snapped. Didn't know where he was, who he was, who anyone else was, etc. Had to potty train, learn to walk, run, talk, learn who his brother, mother, step father and all of us friends over again. talking to him 2yrs after (therapy dictated no collaboration outside his family for that long), you could see in conversations he'd fein recognition of topics etc, not unlike that mentioned in the movie Momento. I inadvertently sang a song we listened to once while out together (this being 15yrs later) and BOOM! He remembered EVERYTHING! What everyone wore, the name of the song, whom was there where we were going, jokes everything! A flood of memories that lasted hours and stayed ... it was like building blocks setting up a foundation or unlocking a door to foundation. His family cried as well as I did and now I am typing this. I pray NOBODY ever has to go through the hardship he did.
Personally when I read Shakespeare, one line stuck with me ... 'If music be the food of love, play on;' Twelfth Night, Act 1, Scene 1
Music, like yet unlike love and kindness is a global currency that doesn't cost the giver anything, yet gives so much to the receiver. More times than not it's not as often mis-interpreted and transcends languages and cultures and foods