Kuo: Apple to Release New HomePod in Late 2022 or Early 2023

[PsykX]

Not if you're trying to understand what Apple's doing with the product line.

Hard to say for me and even for Apple. They're struggling with it and they know it. They have to reposition it even more. HomePod mini wasn't enough of a position change. All they did was basically make it cheaper and smaller and it still didn't capture much market share.

 

[sorgo †]

Might be a year of accessories for me this time then, new HomePod, Apple Watch 8 and new AirPods Pro. I just get this feeling that the iPhone this year won’t quite tempt me from my 12 mini!

Samesies! New HomePod (🤞), “rugged” Apple Watch (🤞), new AirPods Pro (🤞), maybe new iPad Pro. Sticking with trusty 13 mini.

 

[bakerzdosen]

My suggestion would be make it just like the original HomePod but make it $199 MSRP/$150 on sale.

I know this won't happen, but considering how sales of the original has taken off since they were discontinued (look around, used ones seem to go for $300+ these days - if you can find them.)

I'd own at least two more if they were $150 - probably 4.

 

[Orange Bat]

The only way a big HomePod works is if it is competitively priced with Amazon devices. An Echo costs $99 and has decent sound for the price. The Studio costs $199. A big HomePod should try to come in somewhere around $150-$199. Any more than that and your competing with truly great sound system speakers that average people won’t pay for.

IMO, Apple’s two most problematic devices have been Apple TV and the big HomePods. Neither were competitively priced even though both were pretty great products. A $99-$120 Apple TV 4K is a no-brainer, and a non-mini $150-$180 HomePod is as well.

 

[44267547]

The only way a big HomePod works is if it is competitively priced with Amazon devices. An Echo costs $99 and has decent sound for the price.

Your post is indicative you have a fundamental misunderstanding what the HomePod is. You can’t compare the echo to the ‘big HomePod’, because they’re executing different featurettes. The big HomePod (As you refer to it), is all about sound dynamics first as the primary function, smart speaker as the secondary function. The ‘echo’ is more of a smart speaker first, some home automation, etc, and doesn’t nearly have any of the sound attributes the large HomePod does.

I’m not shaming your post, but you’re definitely way off course comparing large HomePod -versus- the Echo.

 

[satchmo]

But will it be usable as computer speakers?

Or will they suffer the same fate as the HomePod mini and lag if used with an app like FCP?

 

[FriendlyMackle]

I just don’t understand why she has to respond to every request. I dont need you let me know media will now play softer. Just lower the volume..

In terms of successful interactions, she’s been reduced to ”hey siri set timer”

For me, Siri has been reduced to an alarm clock! That's all I use it for. But I love my HomePods (sound and simplicity).

 

[turbineseaplane]

All those saying…”take my money”

We need to see what they offer here.

An “update” needs to change some things, or it will flop all over again.

The mass market had almost no interest in v1, particularly at the MSRP

 

[henry72]

Awesome news!!

 

[Kobayagi]

Unless they
1) Lower the price
2) Add user detachable power cable
3) Allow bluetooth connectivity from non-Apple devices
4) Add 3.5mm input
Why even bother?

All good points. I'd consider one too then. Especially the bluetooth point. I mean, even the most basic tiny bluetooth speakers have it, it's even in the freaking name. But it's typical Apple: they refuse to give customers more options so you go with their hardware, AirPlay and/or Apple Music in this case.

Similar situation: they removed support for aptX on Monterey, probably so you get their AirPods Max to be able to listen to higher quality audio.

 

[satchmo]

All good points. I'd consider one too then. Especially the bluetooth point. I mean, even the most basic tiny bluetooth speakers have it, it's even in the freaking name. But it's typical Apple: they refuse to give customers more options so you go with their hardware, AirPlay and/or Apple Music in this case.

Similar situation: they removed support for aptX on Monterey, probably so you get their AirPods Max to be able to listen to higher quality audio.

From more ports on both the MacStudio and MBP, to a better ATV remote, hopefully there’s a greater focus on function over form.

 

[JosephAW]

Brain transplant for old speaker system.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Sonos Move is FANTASTIC for this kind of purpose. Works with Airplay 2. LONG battery life. Great sound.

Also can work with pretty much any other source of music vs. being locked down like HomePod.

Sonos Roam is even a better more portable for personal sound at the beach without overpowering those close by. A bit tiny in the highs when the volume is raised but it’s nice. That Move looks ugly as sin but the sound quality that I heard is nice.

HomePod Mini should’ve been like the Sonos Roam with it’s own battery; allowing placement and use anywhere. The Roam has Bluetooth and WiFi capability btw.

Also Sonos allows you to play sync’s streaming playlists (of other sources than Apple Music but including Apple Music) when away - which I feel is a nice plus for those with pets and moreso as a home security deterrent against theft.

 

[Orange Bat]

Your post is indicative you have a fundamental misunderstanding what the HomePod is. You can’t compare the echo to the ‘big HomePod’, because they’re executing different featurettes. The big HomePod (As you refer to it), is all about sound dynamics first as the primary function, smart speaker as the secondary function. The ‘echo’ is more of a smart speaker first, some home automation, etc, and doesn’t nearly have any of the sound attributes the large HomePod does.

I’m not shaming your post, but you’re definitely way off course comparing large HomePod -versus- the Echo.

Am I really way off? What was the HomePod’s direct competition? You might say Sonos, but I think it was still Echo and Google. After all, Siri was a big aspect of Apple’s marketing of the HomePod. Apple themselves obviously thought they were selling a high quality speaker AND home assistant.

But any way you look at it, the HomePod was problematic product that never found an audience for the price. Audiophiles would rather have a dedicated stereo system for their audio needs. Average consumers want a decent sounding smart speaker. The HomePod was priced too high for average consumers and wasn‘t good enough quality for audiophiles. Sure, it might have had higher quality audio than Echo and Google, but it didn’t sell like those other speakers, and was a failure. This is why I suggest a lower price point, even if they need to sacrifice some audio quality to get it there.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I'll do ya one worse.

I returned my 2nd HomePod OG I got for $199.

Just as bad I sold not 1 but 2 HomePod OGs the latter for a Sonos due to single Apple Music playback options. Hate how I subscribe to Apple Music, iPad Mini 6 as my hub and at home on WiFi (even using AirPlay 2 compatible Sonos’) and I can stream at home but the moment I leave and play on my 12 mini via AirPods Pro / Beats Fit Pro - Apple tells me to pay more for a higher tear just to keep playing music from the iPad to home Sonos One before I can play on iPhone to BFPs. Grrrrr.

 

[eifelbube]

Apple is working on an updated version of the HomePod that could come in the fourth quarter of 2022 or the first quarter of 2023, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo says that there "may not be much innovation in hardware design" for the new HomePod, and there is no word on what size the device will be and if it will be a HomePod mini successor or a larger speaker.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1527678477830598657

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously said that Apple is considering a new version of the HomePod that would be sized between the original HomePod and the HomePod mini, and it is possible that this is the speaker that Kuo is talking about.

Such a speaker would perhaps replace the now-discontinued HomePod, and it would be more expensive than the HomePod mini but less expensive than the larger HomePod.

Gurman also believes that Apple is working on speakers that are equipped with screens and cameras to compete with devices like the Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show, but those devices are not expected to be launching in the near future. In addition, Apple is exploring a device that is an iPad connected to a HomePod via a robotic arm so that the camera can follow a user around the room, and it is testing versions of the Apple TV that are combined with a HomePod.

Article Link: Kuo: Apple to Release New HomePod in Late 2022 or Early 2023

„… exploring a device that is an iPad connected to a HomePod via a robotic arm“?? Really? Like so:

 

[DarwinOSX]

Unless they
1) Lower the price
2) Add user detachable power cable
3) Allow bluetooth connectivity from non-Apple devices
4) Add 3.5mm input
Why even bother?

Nobody cares about Bluetooth, which won’t work with the dsp or a jack. Look at Sonos. It’s not 1990.

 

[DarwinOSX]

They sent out a survey to owners of the big HomePod a few months ago asking what we liked/didn't like about the product.

My biggest wish item was a simple 3.5mm input - I'd be much more inclined to just dock an iPod next to it and let it play local music than I am to try to AirPlay something to it. And for the price and 'premium range' they were going for, I feel like that's not a big ask.

An iPod?

 

[Kobayagi]

From more ports on both the MacStudio and MBP, to a better ATV remote, hopefully there’s a greater focus on function over form.

True. This is the reason I held my 15" 2015 MBP for as long as possible and got a 16" 2021 when they came out.

So luckily, there are some good developments too and they could be signs of more 'logical' decisions to come. But stuff like Apple going out of their way to develop a 'non-removable' power cable on the Studio Display is also not a good sign.

We'll see what the future brings.

 

[nt5672]

If Apple is going to make a device to handle Audio it should fit into standard audio systems, not just be limited to Apple's walled garden, which most are really tired of.

 

[R3k]

Compete with a speaker more expensive than the competition, first released in a half baked state, handicapped if you’re not invested in the apple ecosystem and with a voice assistant that is wanting?
The one that was discontinued after a handful of years?

Tbh I don’t think Apple believe in it either.

I do get usage from mine, playing music in other locations in the house, but there are many other options for this as well.

 

[ipedro]

I don't think these need screens. Instead, make every HomePod an Apple TV by simply enabling it in the firmware – they already run tvOS – using AirPlay 2 to stream to any tv in the house. Most new TVs have AirPlay built in, but for those that don't, sell an AirPlay Stick™ to make any TV AirPlay 2 compatible.

With this setup, any HomePod could become an Echo Show or Google Nest Hub like device and display information on any TV in the house, either as a HUD or full screen for TVs that are on standby and not playing content.

"Hey Siri, what's the weather for today?"
Siri knows you just asked that in the kitchen so she sends a weather forcast card to the kitchen TV.

 

[Robadob]

I really wish they would make some sort of surround setup. I have 2 original homepods hooked up to my apple tv 4k. Would be amazing if I could add 2 homepods (minis) in the back for surround sound.

This is all that I want

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Sonos Roam is even a better more portable for personal sound at the beach without overpowering those close by. A bit tiny in the highs when the volume is raised but it’s nice. That Move looks ugly as sin but the sound quality that I heard is nice.

HomePod Mini should’ve been like the Sonos Roam with it’s own battery; allowing placement and use anywhere. The Roam has Bluetooth and WiFi capability btw.

Also Sonos allows you to play sync’s streaming playlists (of other sources than Apple Music but including Apple Music) when away - which I feel is a nice plus for those with pets and moreso as a home security deterrent against theft.

I have one (Sonos Move) and it is great. Surprisingly, BIG sound from a small heavy package that plays EVERYTHING and is pretty Apple friendly.

 

[Jbusick7944]

HomePod mini in stereo pair are excellent if you like to have one of them work sometimes, but almost never work at the same time consistently.