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Is Anyone Else Waiting for the HomePod Mini?

KittyKatta

KittyKatta

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Feb 24, 2011
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I’m a heavy Siri user. And by that I mean, “If I know a command that Siri isn’t going to screw up then I would prefer to use Siri technology to get that task accomplished”.

That said, I don't care if Siri isn't as good as the competition. I just want a home device for accessing my Apple services and controlling my Smart Home stuff that I can control from across the room.

So. Is anyone else in the same boat and just wants a $120 cheap HomePod?
 
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KittyKatta said:
So. Is anyone else in the same boat and just wants a $120 cheap HomePod Mini Siri Speaker?
Click to expand...

I will not say that it could not happen, but given Apple's emphasis on sound quality I would not hold my breath. You generally do not get great sound from small devices (and from an audio perspective, the HomePod is already pretty small).

A.
 
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Alrescha said:
I will not say that it could not happen, but given Apple's emphasis on sound quality I would not hold my breath. You generally do not get great sound from small devices (and from an audio perspective, the HomePod is already pretty small).

A.
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But is Apples “We care about Music” message even legitimate? Or is it a misdirect to distract from Siri's shortcomings.

It wasn’t until very recently that MacBooks actually had passable speakers on them. And while my iPad Pro 9.7/12.9 speakers sound good enough, every iPad before these sound like garbage (and that includes the single speaker 2017 9.7”. Even with the iPhone then Apple was really late in getting their first Stereo Speakers on them.

If Apple wants to be the hub of Smart Homes then it would benefit them to make a cheaper entry point than $350.
 
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KittyKatta said:
It wasn’t until very recently that MacBooks actually had passable speakers on them. And while my iPad Pro 9.7/12.9 speakers sound good enough, every iPad before these sound like garbage (and that includes the single speaker 2017 9.7”. Even with the iPhone then Apple was really late in getting their first Stereo Speakers on them.
Click to expand...

I think you just reinforced my point about small speakers. It is a miracle that Apple managed to get decent sound out of those small devices - at all. That they went to the effort to try should answer your question about whether they really care or not.

A.
 
Alrescha said:
I think you just reinforced my point about small speakers. It is a miracle that Apple managed to get decent sound out of those small devices - at all. That they went to the effort to try should answer your question about whether they really care or not.

A.
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Huh? Apple doesn't make the speakers. They make the decisions on which speakers to use. And the ones Apple has chosen in the past (and even in the present) are FAR from being the best quality/sound/size choices.

But I'm willing to back off on calling out Apple's speaker choices since I don't care and proving Apples legitimacy as a "Musicologist" wasn't the thread topic.
 
KittyKatta said:
Apple doesn't make the speakers. They make the decisions on which speakers to use.
Click to expand...

That is only true if you think that the drivers are the speakers. The enclosures (which Apple certainly *does* make) and their design are just as important (if not more important). I think the improvement in iPad Pro sound quality comes entirely from the design of the iPad itself - not the drivers.

A.
 
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Maybe, im hoping the HomePod sells well enough to create a product range. A mini would be cool and a HomePod Pro at £699 made to be a sound hub for music and connects to the TV would be amazing.

Judging by AirPods and how big they have got, Apple has made no attempt to grow that range even bigger with In-ear, gym headphones which is disappointing

So I think the chances of a HomePod mini are at this point very unlikely
[doublepost=1518430461][/doublepost]
Hedwigg said:
If affordability is more important to you than quality, then Apple probably isn't the company for you.
Click to expand...

I have a HomePod and live it, but not everyone needs a speaker with that power. Espically as Apple have made this to enter the smart home market fully.
This User isn’t with the wrong company, he just has different needs to you
 
ipodssss said:
Maybe, im hoping the HomePod sells well enough to create a product range. A mini would be cool and a HomePod Pro at £699 made to be a sound hub for music and connects to the TV would be amazing.
Click to expand...

Mini, regular, and Plus sounds good. Maybe $125, $350, $800?

Judging by AirPods and how big they have got, Apple has made no attempt to grow that range even bigger with In-ear, gym headphones which is disappointing
Click to expand...
What about Beats? (https://www.apple.com/shop/accessories/all-accessories/beats?page=1&fh=46ea+45f6+30b5)
 
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ipodssss said:
Maybe, im hoping the HomePod sells well enough to create a product range. A mini would be cool and a HomePod Pro at £699 made to be a sound hub for music and connects to the TV would be amazing.

Judging by AirPods and how big they have got, Apple has made no attempt to grow that range even bigger with In-ear, gym headphones which is disappointing

So I think the chances of a HomePod mini are at this point very unlikely
[doublepost=1518430461][/doublepost]

I have a HomePod and live it, but not everyone needs a speaker with that power. Espically as Apple have made this to enter the smart home market fully.
This User isn’t with the wrong company, he just has different needs to you
Click to expand...
I would agree, the HomePod line needs to be broadened at some point IF you want home automation. The HomePod as it is today seems like an excellent product, great sound and all of that. But @$349 a pop few are going to want to put a bunch of them around the house.
It seems to me that Apple will have to think about what they want to do with HomePod. As it sits, it is much more of a niche than is the whole 'smart speaker'/home automation line of products out there already is.
 
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I wouldn't have thought that likely.... however, since getting the HP, I've gone down the smart lightbulbs route, and been pretty impressed by the ability of Siri to hear voice commands even over music.

Which got me thinking a HP in the lounge would be quite cool to control the lights...

Which got me thinking that that would be overkill in our lounge, as we don't tend to listen to music in there that often...

Which got me thinking that maybe an Echo dot or similar might be good in rooms where one of these devices would only really be used to control HomeKit stuff...

Which gets me to thinking that a HP mini type device for rooms where music wasn't really played, but using Siri to control stuff might be would potentially be worthwhile.
 
I personally don't think Apple will make a mini device at a cheaper price point (although, there are a lot of things Apple ends up doing that I didn't think they would ever do....like the iPhone X notch).

I think using siri on your iPhone or apple watch is what the thought process is for when you are in other rooms of your home and want to control your homekit enabled devices. The HP is really a small speaker designed for listening to music with Siri built in. I think that is what sets Apple apart from the competition and what they are going for....much better music quality in an eco system built to support siri with all its devices.
 
What does Apple make in that price point ($100 - 200)?
Not much...

Ain't gonna happen......
I'm tired of the cheap junk there at an accordingly cheap price. I don't shop at Walmart for a reason.....;)
Apple makes quality products (usually) and asks a premium for them accordingly.

I for one am willing to pay the price for quality.......I'm purchasing another Homepod ASAP and I feel it's worth it for a quality product.
 
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