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HomePod Should Launch 'Soon' as Inventec Begins Shipments to Apple
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But this isn’t Just a voice assistant. This to marketed as a powerful booming sound speaker.
You said this will flop which it won’t. It’s expensive like all apple products. That doesn’t bother people who like the products Apple produce
Or, you can get a Sonos One (which already integrates with Alexa by voice with Google soon) and also has Apple Music integrated into the Sonos app (along with dozens of other services) for literally less than half the price of the HomePod.
Walled garden with huge limitations, that costs more than double for slightly better sound? No thanks.
Walled garden with huge limitations, that costs more than double for slightly better sound? No thanks.
Same thing was said about the iPhone, iPad and iPods. History will tell.
I hear ya bro. Just like Apple blowing it with MP3 players and phones, being too late.
Certainly not late for me. I'm buying one as as they're available. And if I like how it sounds and operates, and how it integrates with other Apple services/products, I'll buy another. And then maybe a couple more.
Intrigued with its beamforming possibilities.
You’re joking right?
I have a dot in every room in my house. They are absolutely perfect. It’s not about the sound quality, it’s about being autonomous devices rather than being tied to an iPhone so that they just work in a home with a family. It’s also the fact that Alexa beats Siri in every aspect of functionality and user interface. I’m not pleased about not this (given I have iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac) but it’s true.
This is exactly my point it’s like some people are writing Apple and the HomePod off already!!
The same was said about the Apple Watch that it wouldn’t catch on and that Apple was behind because other companies had already released a smart watch, Apple then came along and released a great smart watch that’s very popular.
I’m looking forward to seeing this launch and what happens. It will be interesting to see what reviews say.
Question, not that anyone would actually know..but can I use this as a wifi/airplay speaker thru Apple TV to use as surround sound for a movie/show playing off the Apple TV (4) ?
With respect to huge limitations, will the Sonos One wirelessly play audio from the YouTube (or other video) I'm watching on my MBP?
I don't see the point as I've already got a decent sound system which I can use with Airplay and rarely use Siri because it's so frustrating.I’m getting onewho else ?
Was it? I don't recall anyone saying the iPhone, iPad and iPod were "too late" before being launched!
I think the only reason HomePod sales will struggle is the awful Siri.
That’s the one thing I’d really love to know too. It’ll be pretty pointless if not. I wonder whether that was the delay, actually, as it’s odd it wasn’t mentioned at all when they announced it.
So you at least admit it's not about sound quality, making the HomePod much different than the Echo.
We also don't know what the integration for Siri will be with HomePod or how "stupid" it is without testing. I don't agree that Alexa is always better. I think Siri can do many things Alexa can do and still believe there will be software updates with HomePod that make Siri very smart, particularly with music commands.
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
You can't reach Siri through a soundbar. Granted, you may have another iDevice nearby; but they won't immediately cut off the audio for your voice commands, either.
The Echo is priced affordably because it's a piece of junk, despite the ability of Alexa to answer a few questions.
We'll reserve judgement on HomePod until it's actually released.
The Echo Dot caters to a certain market price point. It's intended for those who occasionally listen to music and need access to Amazon's AI assistant and it does it for cheap. Why are you comparing the HomePod specifically to the Echo Dot?
Interesting because I'd never buy that—unless Siri makes some HUGE improvements—because the Dot is all about the assistant. The HomePod is not.
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
The OP wasn't saying that the Echo isn't about sound quality, he's saying the market for smart connected speakers (in his opinion) isn't about sound quality. And I would tend to agree. I think it's good to have a range of quality for those who want it (and I think the new Echo Plus is pretty good at half the cost of the HomePod), but primary utility (to me and the other poster) is being able to have them spread all around the house and the functionality of the assistant.
Do you really not think Apple has failed with products before???? Read up on it....
WE have been talking about mesh networks for over a decade (OLPC etc). If all it did was that it would be a valuable if expensive solution. There are other mesh solutions but none that are "set and forget". They all require substantial technical expertise to set up. A cost exceeding this Apple price.