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

[ocnitsa]

And it may be true that other brand speakers cause similar discoloring. But those brands are not Apple.

This.

Further, I see a conflict here between those that see a solution to the problem as the responsibility of the consumer (put a napkin under it, dumbie!) and the responsibility of the mass producer (Apple should know better). This isn't all that different than Antennagate and "You're holding it wrong."

I think a more balanced position would be to recognize that once this is a known issue, individuals can protect themselves, but that Apple really should have documented it and should consider a materials change, as described in the story. Apple is precisely the brand that should making BETTER products than others is every way possible...not just the sound quality.

 

[citysnaps]

This.

Further, I see a conflict here between those that see a solution to the problem as the responsibility of the consumer (put a napkin under it, dumbie!) and the responsibility of the mass producer (Apple should know better). This isn't all that different than Antennagate and "You're holding it wrong."

I think a more balanced position would be to recognize that once this is a known issue, individuals can protect themselves, but that Apple really should have documented it and should consider a materials change, as described in the story. Apple is precisely the brand that should making BETTER products than others is every way possible...not just the sound quality.

"...but that Apple really should have documented it and should consider a materials change, as described in the story."

I suspect they will now that they know there is an issue.

 

[DNichter]

No big deal, they'll fix it.

 

[69Mustang]

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.

It doesn't sound like you're trying to identify and isolate the issue. It sounds like you already have. Danish Oil. You keep saying it.
Bolded: That's very similar to what I'm saying which is why I'm saying you're proving my point. Lemon oil, orange oil, linseed oil, beeswax, a combination of any of those etc. One or all of them could be culprits as well as Danish Oil. That's been my entire point.

"That's just not true."

Perhaps you have inside information on what the other causes are?

As stated above and in my other comments, there are other oils that could be a culprit besides Danish Oil.

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

Many may say that. I am not one of that particular "many". Does not apply to me or my comment.

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.

I'm not sure why this anecdote is here. What's the relevance?

 

[Rogifan]

This.

Further, I see a conflict here between those that see a solution to the problem as the responsibility of the consumer (put a napkin under it, dumbie!) and the responsibility of the mass producer (Apple should know better). This isn't all that different than Antennagate and "You're holding it wrong."

I think a more balanced position would be to recognize that once this is a known issue, individuals can protect themselves, but that Apple really should have documented it and should consider a materials change, as described in the story. Apple is precisely the brand that should making BETTER products than others is every way possible...not just the sound quality.

A materials change to what? These so-called design experts don’t say. This is just business insider looking to keep a story alive and get some clicks.

 

[Royksöpp]

Before you die you see the ring.

 

[bobtem]

There’s been posted a lot of simple solutions here, but you’ve all missed the simplest of all... don’t buy a stupid HomePod. What need does a smart speaker cover that a phone, tablet, tv, or computer can’t do better?

 

[fairuz]

What about iMacs? Do they leave white marks? If not, why not make the HomePod base out of the same rubbers/silicone?

AFAIK they don't. Source: Family members who used them on fine wooden desks, but they were older models.

 

[andipanda]

You´re placing it wrong!

 

[Bromeo]

Just a note on materials for those who are pedantic. Rubber feet such as 3M Bumpon are most often thermoplastic polyurethane, not rubber. I have never seen an Apple product using silicone for the base pad. They seem to be styrene butadiene styrene or even Santoprene (EPDM + PP).

Could it be the finishing oil (likely boiled linseed, which includes metallic dryers) is migrating into the HomePod base material? If so, it could be like the ill-fated Craftsman screwdriver handles (Cellulose Acetate Butyrate) that start to reek like sour parmesan cheese due to decomposition into acetic acid and butyric acid, which is a process often brought on by machine oil acting as a catalyst.

Most common wood furniture and desks are sealed with a hard resin for increased wear protection and water resistance. Hand crafted furniture may have a simpler wipe on oil & wax finish with no top coat resin.

... signed, woodworker who builds occasional furniture pieces and has a toolbox full of stinky Craftsman screwdrivers.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Are your wood tables and floors treated or finished in Danish Oil? If not, I don't see how your anecdotal observation is relevant.

Wouldn't matter. You don't see how any observations that are in any way negative toward Apple are relevant period. We all know Apple is the definition of perfection in your mind.

 

[citysnaps]

It doesn't sound like you're trying to identify and isolate the issue. It sounds like you already have. Danish Oil. You keep saying it.
Bolded: That's very similar to what I'm saying which is why I'm saying you're proving my point. Lemon oil, orange oil, linseed oil, beeswax, a combination of any of those etc. One or all of them could be culprits as well as Danish Oil. That's been my entire point.


As stated above and in my other comments, there are other oils that could be a culprit besides Danish Oil.

Many may say that. I am not one of that particular "many". Does not apply to me or my comment.


I'm not sure why this anecdote is here. What's the relevance?

"It sounds like you already have. Danish Oil. You keep saying it"
It was Danish Oil that was reported - a protective finish used and applied by woodworkers. And not a wipe-on oil used by consumers to make their dining room table shine, such as Pledge. And several times, as I told you previously, I said it could also be other plant-based finishes woodworkers use based on Tung and Linseed.

"That's been my entire point."
Well, apparently it is now. Earlier you focused on Danish Furniture Oil, which isn't even a finish (and not really a product, though I see a manufacturer has cleverly appropriated that name for a wipe on oil). You seem to be intentionally conflating woodworker-applied protective finishes with consumer applied oils to produce shine, perhaps because you don't understand the difference.

My anecdote was exactly that. An anecdote. I'm happy you recognized that.
[doublepost=1519080535][/doublepost]

Wouldn't matter. You don't see how any observations that are in any way negative toward Apple are relevant period. We all know Apple is the definition of perfection in your mind.

Which is simply not true. My gripe about the iPhone X OLED display being the latest. And certainly relevant.

"We all know Apple is the definition of perfection in your mind."
We? Nice, the royal "We."

In any event, certainly not perfection. But keep making stuff up if that keeps you going.

 

[jhudgins]

Leather coasters!!!

 

[charlituna]

I think Apple's stock might tank on this news. I wonder if the board is ready to oust Cook because of ring gate.

By the way I love the HomePod and it has yet to leave a ring on my furniture. News must be slow this week.

then you don't use the finish or cleaning oil or whatever it is that is discoloring due to a chemical reaction with the sillicon

 

[69Mustang]

"That's been my entire point."
Well, apparently it is now. Earlier you focused on Danish Furniture Oil, which isn't even a finish (and not really a product, though I see a manufacturer has cleverly appropriated that name for a wipe on oil). You seem to be intentionally conflating woodworker-applied protective finishes with consumer applied oils to produce shine, perhaps because you don't understand the difference.

Literally every quote in our interaction has me stating that Danish Oil is not the only culprit; that other oils could be the culprit. I even listed Apple's note stating oils and not Danish Oil. From the first to the last quote that has been the focus. That never changed. The quotes are there. They haven't changed. I tried to get your focus off the Danish Oil, to no avail I might add.
I am not conflating anything. I am simply saying Danish Oil isn't, is not, ain't the only possible source of furniture rings.

 

[citysnaps]

Literally every quote in our interaction has me stating that Danish Oil is not the only culprit; that other oils could be the culprit. I even listed Apple's note stating oils and not Danish Oil. From the first to the last quote that has been the focus. That never changed. The quotes are there. They haven't changed. I tried to get your focus off the Danish Oil, to no avail I might add.
I am not conflating anything. I am simply saying Danish Oil isn't, is not, ain't the only possible source of furniture rings.

"I tried to get your focus off the Danish Oil, to no avail I might add."

Tried to get my focus off? Huh? And as I have advised you, for the third time now, I've posted here there may be other finishes related to Danish Oil (finishes, not wipe-on oils consumers use to shine their dining room tables); i.e. Linseed and Tung-based finishes, that could be an issue as well. That is my speculation.

Danish Oil is my focus because that was the single one referenced, reported by name (AFAIK) that caused a problem. If someone else reported a specific finish, I'd like to know what it is. You said there were other oils reported. I'm simply, and still asking you what those specific finishes/oils reported are. It's a simple question, seeing as though you have that information.

Curious...Are you a woodworker?

 

[Frisco]

I don't get what all the fuss is about? You need to buy a case for iPhone, so what's wrong with buying a coaster for your HomePod. There is actually a guy on YouTube that was able to manufacture his own coaster

 

[69Mustang]

"I tried to get your focus off the Danish Oil, to no avail I might add."

Tried to get my focus off? Huh? And as I have advised you, for the third time now, I've posted here there may be other finishes related to Danish Oil (finishes, not wipe-on oils consumers use to shine their dining room tables); i.e. Linseed and Tung-based finishes, that could be an issue as well. That is my speculation.

Danish Oil is my focus because that was the single one referenced, reported by name (AFAIK) that caused a problem. If someone else reported a specific finish, I'd like to know what it is. You said there were other oils reported. I'm simply, and still asking you what those specific finishes/oils reported are. It's a simple question, seeing as though you have that information.

Curious...Are you a woodworker?

If you can point to where I said other oils were reported, I will 100% give you the specifics of which oils they were.

 

[citysnaps]

If you can point to where I said other oils were reported, I will 100% give you the specifics of which oils they were.

My mistake. I assumed the other oils were also identified when you posted: "Danish Furniture Oil was identified as one of the culprits;"

A shame the others were (apparently) not.

 

[FrozenDarkness]

I feel like this is a dumb issue if you could just wipe it away.

 

[Lilok]

So why do Sonos, who ONLY make speakers, still have this issue, do they not care!?!

Hmm, that's true. Perhaps Apple isn't "special" anymore and you can expect no more from them than every other media *cough*, sry, run out the mill tech company. They don't care about anything except stock market since ~5 years. So I'm not even surprised, since it was to be expected that it is full of flaws.

 

[douglasf13]

There’s been posted a lot of simple solutions here, but you’ve all missed the simplest of all... don’t buy a stupid HomePod. What need does a smart speaker cover that a phone, tablet, tv, or computer can’t do better?

I bought a HomePod on a whim, and it's now my most used Apple device, because the thing is playing music essentially all day. All of my family members are constantly asking it to play a song or album. It's simplicity at its best.

 

[Andronicus]

Sonos has the same issue. How about talk about them? This is so stupid already.

I think they are talking about it over in SonosRumors

 

[Dan_Florida]

Last week, Apple confirmed that the HomePod can potentially leave white rings on the surface of wooden furniture with oil or wax finishes. In an effort to help users prevent seeing these rings appear on their own furniture, Apple shared a support document on "Where to place HomePod," detailing how the interaction between the HomePod's vibration-dampening silicone base and a wooden surface has the chance to result in a white ring.

Business Insider recently spoke with a few industrial design experts who believe that the problem "shouldn't be too hard to fix" for Apple." Gregor Berkowitz, a product development consultant for numerous consumer electronics brands, expects Apple to "re-tool" its HomePod manufacturing process to address the issue with the silicone base, which could take between two to six weeks. Although the fix could take several weeks, the experts said it's "likely not very costly" for Apple.

Image via Wirecutter​

Senior industrial designer at Y Studios, Cesar Viramontes, referred to the white rings issue as something customers will "probably forget about" in the next few months.
While the experts see a quick fix for the issue coming from Apple, all were surprised it happened in the first place. 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." The white marks aren't an Apple-specific problem, but have appeared with other speakers -- like Sonos One -- that have similar silicone bases.

Berkowitz believes the white rings could be a result of Apple's "inexperience" with making stationary speakers, in contrast to the company's familiarity with making mobile products like the iPhone and MacBook.
For those who have discovered rings on their furniture, Apple said that these marks "will often go away after several days" once HomePod is removed from the wooden surface. Users can hasten this process by wiping the surface gently with a damp or dry cloth. Still, the company explained that if anyone is concerned about these marks, it recommends "placing your HomePod on a different surface."

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.

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

 

[haganah]

For how much Apple loves using wooden tables in their stores, offices, labs, etc. I can't believe this slipped by...

Perhaps others have replied, but it's not normal wood tables. It is oiled wood. I don't have that issue and none of my friends do either. For the small number of people who have this issue, it goes away once you remove it. So those table in Apple store...they wouldn't have this issue in the slightest I don't think (unless they're oiled and I didn't know).