Industrial Design Experts Say HomePod's White Ring Issue 'Shouldn't Be Too Hard to Fix' for Apple

[Rogifan]

I'm saying if this product went through a half decade testing arc (why do you keep saying alpha beta testing? that makes you feel good?) the imperfections should have been apparent and if they weren't then Apple was asleep at the wheel for SIX YEARS.

Or what if this was simply a communication issue? Until someone can say definitively there was another material more appropriate to use and wouldn’t cause this ring issue we can’t say this was a design flaw. I think it is fair to say Apple should have provided a disclosure but it’s also fair to ask what responsibility the owner of this type of furniture has for what they place on it.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

You mean like the G4 cube cracks? Or the white plastic MacBooks turning yellow? Or the $22M iPod Nano settlement for scratches? Not to mention frayed cables that definitely occurred under Jobs watch.

To be fair just because Apple has made mistakes in the past, and put them right, doesn't give them the right to make them now

 

[mi7chy]

Copy how the Google Home Max is done.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

Or what if this was simply a communication issue? Until someone can say definitively there was another material more appropriate to use and wouldn’t cause this ring issue we can’t say this was a design flaw. I think it is fair to say Apple should have provided a disclosure but it’s also fair to ask what responsibility the owner of this type of furniture has for what they place on it.

I like your justification "simply a communication issue" "Hey Bill does that their Homepod leave ring?" "Nope" "Cool we've good to ship"

 

[dfs]

I know MR has to make money and Pad & Quill is an affiliate. But c'mon. Recommending a $20 coaster?

As for the silicone in the HomePod base, Apple can adjust the formula and keep it movin'. It's a lesson learned that I imagine they won't repeat.
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It's stupid. Not gonna argue that point. But you want MR to talk about it... but only as it relates to a different company that's not Apple. Is that not just as stupid?

A round Heinekin beer mat works fine, it's just the right diameter.

 

[ignatius345]

Accessory makers are already creating products to act as a fix for the situation, including new leather coasters for HomePod from Pad & Quill. The $19.95 coasters are advertised as letting users place their HomePod on the wooden surfaces that have the potential to be marked by HomePod, without having to worry about the appearance of such marks.

Why do you keep plugging this god-awful, egregiously overpriced item? LITERALLY ANY COASTER WILL WORK. And the use of leather for something nobody will ever see is just gratuitous.

 

[Tech198]

"Apple may need to "re-tool" the manufacturing process since silicone is manufactured using a different process than the other kinds of elastomer," said Berkowitz"

In order words, a second-gen Homepod. Sorry we stuffed up,, but you gotta "wait"

I reckon people will wait rather than using a temp solution.

 

[wrassmussen]

I found a solution. I placed a piece of paper on the surface and then set down the HomePod. Marvelous!

Make sure to stick an Apple sticker on the paper to make it an OFFICIAL solution.

 

[69650]

Product design expert Ignazio Moresco explained that more is expected from Apple's well-known attention to detail, and the company "should have caught the issue if they followed a rigorous QA process."​

Apple’s “rigorous QA process” went out of the window a long time ago. Current products are littered with problems.

 

[LincolnsiPod]

Apple’s “rigorous QA process” went out of the window a long time ago. Current products are littered with problems.

Yep, still dealing with the "messages out of order" bug going on 3 months now (among other issues).

It's like they pooled all the talent into making emojis/animojis and left QA to be managed by a bunch of 5 year olds.

 

[Falhófnir]

Product design expert Ignazio Moresco explained that more is expected from Apple's well-known attention to detail, and the company "should have caught the issue if they followed a rigorous QA process."

See also: MacBook Pro keyboards.

 

[citysnaps]

I'm saying if this product went through a half decade testing arc (why do you keep saying alpha beta testing? that makes you feel good?) the imperfections should have been apparent and if they weren't then Apple was asleep at the wheel for SIX YEARS.

Why would saying alpha/beta testing make me feel good? Does that make you feel good for some reason, and you're therefore projecting that on me?

So you're not able to even make a guess why the issue didn't surface with HomePod during Apple's testing? And not putting HomePod on wood furniture that was treated with Danish Oil (the reported culprit) is just too much to fathom?

 

[MacLoveMacHate]

The problem with creating this much attention around your new product is that any flaws it may hold can command just as much negative attention.

 

[anubis1980]

I have a Sonos One and also noticed rings, however they sound better than the HomePod. Sort it out apple.

 

[artfossil]

I have a Sonos One and also noticed rings, however they sound better than the HomePod. Sort it out apple.

The Sonos furniture rings sound better than the Apple furniture rings? Good to know!

 

[69Mustang]

What specific "oil" are you referring to?

I do know that Danish Oil was reported as being the culprit.

Danish Furniture Oil was identified as one of the culprits; a subtle but critical distinction. Primarily because it was used by one of the individuals first identifying the problem. Apple's HomePod support document only mentions oils as a possible cause of the rings... not Danish Furniture Oil - which is very specific. Source. Relevant excerpt: "It is not unusual for any speaker with a vibration-damping silicone base to leave mild marks when placed on some wooden surfaces. The marks can be caused by oils diffusing between the silicone base and the table surface, and will often go away after several days..."

Googling "furniture oil" brings you a ton options, Danish Furniture Oil being but one.

 

[ChinaRye]

Mine is sitting on one of those cork hot pads. Doesn't look half bad.

 

[Williesleg]

Holy crap, apparently Apple has nothing to do. Maybe they can finally build a new Mac Mini??? I don't care if it leaves a white ring on my desk. It's been like 4 years. Same price, same specs.

 

[M2M]

You are placing it wrong!

 

[stevie grant]

I do not see what the issue is. My Apple Watch gives me a lot of (workout) rings and I am happy about them! Am I missing something here?

A sense of humor?

 

[citysnaps]

Danish Furniture Oil was identified as one of the culprits; a subtle but critical distinction. Primarily because it was used by one of the individuals first identifying the problem. Apple's HomePod support document only mentions oils as a possible cause of the rings... not Danish Furniture Oil - which is very specific. Source. Relevant excerpt: "It is not unusual for any speaker with a vibration-damping silicone base to leave mild marks when placed on some wooden surfaces. The marks can be caused by oils diffusing between the silicone base and the table surface, and will often go away after several days..."

Googling "furniture oil" brings you a ton options, Danish Furniture Oil being but one.

I think there is some major confusion here between Danish Oil, which is a protective finish woodworkers use on fine furniture and dries hard. And is different than "furniture oils" that consumers purchase at grocery/hardware stores and periodically wipe on their dining room tables to make them shine; i.e. Pledge, Old English, etc.

Danish Oil is not in that category as it dries and cures to a hard protective finish and is made up of varnish and linseed oil. It's relatively easy and forgiving to apply, though light sanding between coats is best.

 

[stanhope]

Oh I am confident Apple will fix this issue. When Homepod missed xmas, i no longer cared when I buy it. I’ll let them fix this and get the software right and then have a look. Not a good look.

 

[69Mustang]

I think there is some major confusion here between Danish Oil, which is a protective finish woodworkers use on fine furniture and dries hard. And is different than "furniture oils" that consumers purchase at grocery/hardware stores and periodically wipe on their tables to make them shine; i.e. Pledge, Old English, etc.

Danish Oil is not in that category as it dries and cures to a hard protective finish and is made up of varnish and linseed oil. It's relatively easy and forgiving to apply, though light sanding between coats is best.

You're unwittingly proving my point. Your explanation is just further evidence of what I'm saying. Regardless of what Danish Oil is or what it does, it is not the only cause of the rings. It is one of the causes, which is my point. That's why I say you can't point at Danish Oil and say "This! This here is the problem". That's just not true.

 

[citysnaps]

You're unwittingly proving my point. Your explanation is just further evidence of what I'm saying. Regardless of what Danish Oil is or what it does, it is not the only cause of the rings. It is one of the causes, which is my point. That's why I say you can't point at Danish Oil and say "This! This here is the problem". That's just not true.

Unwittingly? No, as a woodworker, I'm trying to identify and isolate the issue. How am I proving your point? What are the other causes. I've only heard about furniture protected with Danish Oil being reported as an issue. In other posts I've said it could also be due to other plant-based finishes.


"That's just not true."
Perhaps you have inside information on what the other causes are?

The larger point is that many say HomePod placed on wood causes the problem. That is not true.

EDIT: I've had my HomePod sitting on top of one of my Audio Engines A5+ speakers for more than a week. With no ring. Not exactly sure what the finish is, but I'm guessing it's some kind of conversion varnish, which is a kind of lacquer.

 

[anubis1980]

The Sonos furniture rings sound better than the Apple furniture rings? Good to know!

Yes that’s my point, they are failing at everything ha ha