HomePod without WiFi?

[Joseph C]

I’m moving into a new apartment in the next few weeks and the internet lines haven’t been finished so I’m not going to have WiFi for a few weeks.

I’ve heard HomePod doesn’t support bluetooth playback, is this true? I was hoping I could connect it to my phone/Mac via Bluetooth and play my music while waiting for the internet to be installed.

Will this mean the device is essentially a brick unless you have WiFi? I think that’s a real shame if so and thus I did not preorder yesterday but I would be interested to know nonetheless.

Thanks!

 

[domhoenig]

I’m moving into a new apartment in the next few weeks and the internet lines haven’t been finished so I’m not going to have WiFi for a few weeks.

I’ve heard HomePod doesn’t support bluetooth playback, is this true? I was hoping I could connect it to my phone/Mac via Bluetooth and play my music while waiting for the internet to be installed.

Will this mean the device is essentially a brick unless you have WiFi? I think that’s a real shame if so and thus I did not preorder yesterday but I would be interested to know nonetheless.

Thanks!

ask apple support!

 

[WRXiceman]

Tether your phone data.

 

[FilipeTeixeira]

I’m moving into a new apartment in the next few weeks and the internet lines haven’t been finished so I’m not going to have WiFi for a few weeks.

I’ve heard HomePod doesn’t support bluetooth playback, is this true? I was hoping I could connect it to my phone/Mac via Bluetooth and play my music while waiting for the internet to be installed.

Will this mean the device is essentially a brick unless you have WiFi? I think that’s a real shame if so and thus I did not preorder yesterday but I would be interested to know nonetheless.

Thanks!

Even worse, it seems that it will only work with Apple Music. Which I don't really understand. I've been waiting to spend 350usd on this, to find out that you need a subscription, a Macbook newer than 2012, and an iOS device.

 

[vipergts2207]

Even worse, it seems that it will only work with Apple Music. Which I don't really understand. I've been waiting to spend 350usd on this, to find out that you need a subscription, a Macbook newer than 2012, and an iOS device.

It will work as a normal AirPlay speaker, so you don't have to use Apple music. And I mean 2011 was 7 years ago, which is pretty ancient in technological terms. I don't think a Mac from 2012 or newer is that big an ask.

 

[FilipeTeixeira]

It will work as a normal AirPlay speaker, so you don't have to use Apple music. And I mean 2011 was 7 years ago, which is pretty ancient in technological terms. I don't think a Mac from 2012 or newer is that big an ask.

Well I have 2 macs at home, working perfectly fine, being that one is from 2009 and the other from 2011. I think that forcing people to buy a new mac for no reason at all, makes no sense.

About working as a normal AirPlay speaker, that's not what I've been reading. Actually I've been reading way too many different things.

 

[AustinIllini]

It will work as a normal AirPlay speaker, so you don't have to use Apple music. And I mean 2011 was 7 years ago, which is pretty ancient in technological terms. I don't think a Mac from 2012 or newer is that big an ask.

I would have to do a comparo, but sound over bluetooth is pretty terrible. By-and-large, the best way to stream music is to use your phone as a remote and have your device grab something from the internet.

 

[MacPioneer]

You don’t need an internet connection to create a local WIFI network, just get a wireless router. This will allow you to AirPlay from your other Apple devices to the HomePod. Of course, Apple Music won’t be available, and I don’t think Siri will work (or maybe it will - it could access the Mother Ship via cellular through your iPhone. For that matter, maybe Apple Music can be accessed that way.)

 

[maflynn]

it seems that it will only work with Apple Music. Which I don't really understand.

Why don't you understand that? That move is very apple like. They don't want you use any other service but Apple Music. I was not surprised when I heard its limited to Apple Music, which is probably one of the largest music libraries of any of the streaming services.

 

[FilipeTeixeira]

Why don't you understand that? That move is very apple like. They don't want you use any other service but Apple Music. I was not surprised when I heard its limited to Apple Music, which is probably one of the largest music libraries of any of the streaming services.

Well for a 350 usd device, we should be able at least to use iTunes. Or am I missing something here? Personally I don't even have Spotify, but probably I don't fit into the new modern millennial nonsense of being connected 24/7. And I do love apple and everything they have been doing so far, but this just doesn't make any sense as it restricts even apple users.

You don’t need an internet connection to create a local WIFI network, just get a wireless router. This will allow you to AirPlay from your other Apple devices to the HomePod. Of course, Apple Music won’t be available, and I don’t think Siri will work (or maybe it will - it could access the Mother Ship via cellular through your iPhone. For that matter, maybe Apple Music can be accessed that way.)

Not sure if it is relevant but I wrote the Apple Store support today, and they told me that the HomePod will only be compatible with iOS devices. I'm not sure what am I missing here but if that's the case, it will be pure crap even if it sounds amazing.

 

[maflynn]

Well for a 350 usd device, we should be able at least to use iTunes.

I'm not disagreeing, though I beleive if you are signed up to Apple Music, you may have access to your library. Also you can use airplay though from what I've heard you lose out on Siri accessing that music