While I don't disagree, the (really, really awful) mock-up has the speakers pointing everywhere except at the viewer (and presumed listener). That doesn't work so well either.
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Kuo: Apple to Launch Redesigned HomePod With 7-Inch Display in 2024
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As much as I support Apple I have no intention of Buying it. I’ll stick with Amazon Alexa device.
What most are missing here is that both Google and Amazon have been cutting their voice AI assistant programs way way back. They haven't made money on these efforts; things haven't worked out as planned.
There may not be an Alexa going forward.
There may not be a Google Voice Assistant.
There may not be an Alexa going forward.
There may not be a Google Voice Assistant.
This is sorely needed in my house - I want to trash my Amazon Echo 5's advertisement clocks... I don't need it to be an ipad homepod - I just need a clock with weather and scores and maybe some photo slideshow - I don't need it to do facetime or netflix or any crap like that... just keep it simple for please god
I think there are different products in testing that are getting analysts/leakers confused here like with the 15” MBA.
Based on everything we’re hearing it sounds like Apple are experimenting with
- some sort of soundbar homepod including Apple TV.
- Some sort of home hub which is a homepod with a screen or an iPad which is centrally used to monitor Smart home devices, play sound, potentially make calls, facetime, display relevant data throughout the day.
I can see there being markets for both devices separately but definitely not together, as this forum is showing.
The TV Soundbar sounds most interesting to me since Apple TV hasn’t changed much in a while and Apple’s margins are admittedly low on it. It’s a pretty standard experience and not very ‘Apple’.
Based on everything we’re hearing it sounds like Apple are experimenting with
- some sort of soundbar homepod including Apple TV.
- Some sort of home hub which is a homepod with a screen or an iPad which is centrally used to monitor Smart home devices, play sound, potentially make calls, facetime, display relevant data throughout the day.
I can see there being markets for both devices separately but definitely not together, as this forum is showing.
The TV Soundbar sounds most interesting to me since Apple TV hasn’t changed much in a while and Apple’s margins are admittedly low on it. It’s a pretty standard experience and not very ‘Apple’.
We’re supposed to get excited because Apple is thinking it *might* have a go at inventing the Amazon Echo Show at some point in the future (and then charge us 5 times the price of Amazon’s version so we can try and interact with the voice assistant it’s been working on for at least 12 years but which is still laughably inept at processing even the most basic commands)? Meh. It’s a shame, but that ship has sailed, Apple.
How would a design like this be useful for Facetime calls? Are people really going to stand over their HomePod and stare down? I feel like their energy would be better spent making a sound bar style homepod that integrates Apple TV and an ultrawide camera.
No really.
I've been seriously working on Home automation. I'm treating it as an educational experiment so I am buying parts from multiple vendors, Apple, Lutron, Philips Hue and Wiz and Zooz z-wave and so on. I've go quite a collection and I'm integrating it into a "system".
Apple will NEVER be the big player in this ecosystem because Apple will never sell things like switches, plugs and light bulbs, thermostats and washing machines and HVAC controls
What I have found setting these up is that any kind of voice commands are really not liked by users. Even if it works perfectly, users hate to have to say "Hey Siri, set the dinning rooms lights to 60% illumination and 2700 degrees Kelvin." They prefer to simply walk in the dinning room and have the lights adjust to their preference. Failing that they, go for the wall switch, (They do like those LCD touch screen wall switches.) Next in order is "voice" using Google or Siri and last on every user's preference list is to pull out the iPhone, open the app and work through three levels of screens to turn on a light.
So, Siri is not so important as you think. It is rarely used in real life.
The big thing that is happening now in this space is "Matter". Matter is a new standard that allows EVERY product to work together. I have Alexa and Siri running the same light bulb right now in March 2023. It works.
So Apple can make a product, and it will be a little part of a bigger system and if Siri is poor, there is competition and with no need to totally change the entire eco system.
That said, pulling this all together is NOT something the average consumer can do.
I have seven HomePods around the house and use them everyday via Siri. Hardly irrelevant.
I fear you’re correct, as it reminds me of a creepy sci-fi prop that represents the ubiquitous, half-organic, half-machine device that is sinister and harms one of the less essential crew.
IDK... If the this device is intended to field FaceTime video calls, I don't see the point of a screen dimension any smaller than an iPad mini 6. They have those panels at the ready and Apple likes repurposing the fruits of their R&D labor. Slap a wedge-shaped, HomePod mini-caliber speaker behind it, to double as a stand, and I would think you'd have a viable option that could compete in that space.
That said, that is not a space this Apple household has ever once felt was a void that needed attention. Plus, adding a video calling device that is tethered to the wall takes me back to my childhood where we had the one phone in the house, hanging on he wall, with a long-*** chord that allowed usage throughout the house. Pretty wild to think back on. Anyway, a video calling station just isn't a thing I have been wishing existed. I have several of them (iPhones, iPads, laptops, etc.) in the house now. But I guess some are into that. Cool for them.
That said, that is not a space this Apple household has ever once felt was a void that needed attention. Plus, adding a video calling device that is tethered to the wall takes me back to my childhood where we had the one phone in the house, hanging on he wall, with a long-*** chord that allowed usage throughout the house. Pretty wild to think back on. Anyway, a video calling station just isn't a thing I have been wishing existed. I have several of them (iPhones, iPads, laptops, etc.) in the house now. But I guess some are into that. Cool for them.
That thing is giving off some real *we come in peace* vibes
Facetime from a Homepod seems pretty awkward to me... I simply can't think of a good use case for a screen here.
Or this?
If that screen wasn't going to mess up the audio profile, and it certainly will, I'd at least enjoy the retro vibe of this. I loved those iMacs... Never had one, but I always thought they were an interesting design.
OMG, it’s an eyePod! Run for cover, or put on the VR goggles mockup to protect your eyes.
For single speaker people sure. But what about people who want stereo pair HomePods? Then they'd end up with two Apple TVs for their TV? (Or what about people who just want HomePods for music, no TV?) I hope this is sold alongside the current dedicated ATVs and HomePods as just another option (not replacement), otherwise there’s going to be a lot of wasted silicon/hardware for a lot of people. Unless this will be some modular thing.
Yeah, I turned off everything on my show except weather and photos and I still get random amazon crap on there. Really annoying.