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It’s a really good Airplay speaker and you can pretty much play anything from your phone/iPad/Mac including Spotify, YouTube, twitch, soundcloud etc. I stream twitch all the time.

It really isn’t as big of deal as people make out.

The sound quality when using Spotify is not great and you can't use the EQ. It's way too bassy. It's quite a big deal for me.
 
1. Would love to see similar $199 deals in Germany.

2. Anyone knows if they're smart enough to know their positions in relation to the screen? (I know, sounds impossible.) Would be awesome if I can put one in the back and act as rear channels.

3. Somehow allow PS4 to connect???
 
Exactly. The fact that HomePod can't just be a Bluetooth speaker is hurting its appeal.

And do HomePods still need to be plugged into the wall?

There's a reason people still buy simple wireless Bluetooth speakers from JBL, UE, etc. You can easily take them in the backyard by the pool or in the garage. And anyone can easily connect to them at a party.

I understand that HomePods sound amazing for their size. And they have Siri and HomeKit in there too. They are true "smart" speakers.

But sometimes people just want sound that's not chained to the wall.

Respectfully agreed. The Homepod power consumption is no more than a typical smartphone and can be developed with built-in battery and USB-C port.

Apple needs to understand that Homepod is also classified as a mobile device so it does not need to constantly plug in the power outlet.
 
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Respectfully agreed. The Homepod power consumption is no more than a typical smartphone and can be developed with built-in battery and USB-C port.

Apple needs to understand that Homepod is also classified as a mobile device so it does not need to constantly plug in the power outlet.

It isn’t classed as a mobile device though.
 
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Sonos stuff isn’t “notorious crap sounding”. Totally made up. Blind tests have it equal to or better than HomePod. Do some research.

Sonos definitely does not offer better sound - Sonos stuff is notorious crap sounding. They offer decent features but I could never buy into it because the sound was terrible, i'd rather use a proper Airplay2 amp and proper hi fi speakers. The only Sonos speakers worth listening to are much more expensive than the HomePods (which are ultimately a budget speaker)
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I don't want it for the sound - I want it to be positioned per room for homekit so Siri queries automatically apply to that room.
 
Sonos stuff isn’t “notorious crap sounding”. Totally made up. Blind tests have it equal to or better than HomePod. Do some research.

The very top end Sonos speaker is "on par" with HomePod (and costs more money) anyone actually into hifi and sound will tell you Sonos sounds crap - HomePod sound "acceptable" it's fine, it's not great.
 
If sales are lacking: how about making the darn thing available?
It is still not for sales here in The Netherlands.
 
Wish Apple would bring out a sound bar
kindly have a look inside, at the best under $100, $200 and $500 lists which usually refer to pairs

a list that someone compiles means nothing to me. There are many,many “lists” for everything. And most of those are bookshelf. HomePod can be set anywhere. Nondirectional.
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If sales are lacking: how about making the darn thing available?
It is still not for sales here in The Netherlands.
Move to somewhere that sells them 😁
 
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I will personally never buy one of these no matter what the price whilst it's not fully compatible with all major music streaming services like Spotify. I just refuse to be forced into using apple music. All my playlists and stuff is on spotify and I'm perfectly happy with it. I can either get a homepod and it would be very annoying to use spotify on it, or change to apple music which would also be more annoying.

Frankly even if spotify is included in a future update as mentioned in the article, I'm very skeptical about getting one, I mean what if there is a great app out there for smart speakers but then apple effectively bans the use of them except for their own? I just think it's a ****** practice by apple.... they can do it if they like, it's their product, but it'll never be for me after they've taken so many years to include spotify.

Well, thankfully nobody is forcing you to buy a HomePod for Spotify use. I mean, HomePod is an Apple product first and foremost. Most everyone that buys it, is aware of that fact. So it would be assumed, Apple Music is the audio of choice for that hardware.

So maybe another speaker would be for you. Perhaps Sonos? JBL? UE Boom? Bose? Lots of options for you and Spotify :)
 
A mini would be great for my bedroom I already have a homepod in the kitchen and living room. I just can’t justify the cost of the full sized one for that area

Would love a Mini for my Kitchen and Sunroom. Places where I wouldn't use a full size HomePod but would like music occasionally and voice control. Also don't want something so big (it's not that big) sitting on the counter.
 
Can't wait for a mini, this will be great for rooms where I don't care about amazing sound.
...I can already handle that with $19 Amazon devices...that play Apple Music.

Nothing Apple could possibly offer here can compete with that.

Yeah, yeah I know...muh privacy. Well, when you demonstrate all the people who've died from their privacy being violated by Alexa, I'll take note.
 
Again, you are pulling things out of thin air. The Sonos One (NOT the top of the line) was compared to HomePod, in numerous blind tests, and either people couldn't tell the difference or Sonos mostly came out ahead.

Stop making things up.

The very top end Sonos speaker is "on par" with HomePod (and costs more money) anyone actually into hifi and sound will tell you Sonos sounds crap - HomePod sound "acceptable" it's fine, it's not great.
 
Again, you are pulling things out of thin air. The Sonos One (NOT the top of the line) was compared to HomePod, in numerous blind tests, and either people couldn't tell the difference or Sonos mostly came out ahead.

Stop making things up.


I have both and my friend blind tested them on me and HomePod definitely exceeds the Play 1 or SL in multiple areas (loudness, bass, clarity, etc..) in my opinion.

It’s not until you get to the Play 5 that it exceeds it.
 
I'm stoked for a mini. I'd love to et one for my office! I've got a HomePod in my living room and the sound is fantastic. The integration with the rest of my iOS stuff is great too. I'm firmly in the Apple Music camp, but I can really play anything I want to it from my phone. I have. full Sonos setup for our tv, play one, sub, soundbar, etc.. and though it sounds really nice it is just a pain to use. Every time I open the Sonos app there are updates, and trying to play anything outside of the Sonos app interface with Apple Music is frustrating at best.

Currently, in my office, I'm using an old Bose Bluetooth speaker when I'm not using my AirPods or inears. I've just been waiting to replace it with a mini homepod. If it still turns out to be vaporware, I'd definitely be happy with another regular homepod.

Sure, Siri isn't the best smart assistant, but I don't use my speakers for that kind of integration. The Homepod audio is what sold me. They could take siri out completely and I'd be happy.
 
Again, you are pulling things out of thin air. The Sonos One (NOT the top of the line) was compared to HomePod, in numerous blind tests, and either people couldn't tell the difference or Sonos mostly came out ahead.

Stop making things up.


We get it, you like Sonos. That's OK. :) Everyone can like different things. The majority of people here like HomePod. You may not agree with that. Again, that's OK.

Why does everything always turn into this or that is better than so and so.

I own 3 HomePods. Wouldn't get rid of them. Love it for the sound, music, voice control and simplicity. I don't need BT. I don't need portability. Don't need Spotify support either. I am all Apple, all the time, for life. Until they bomb the iPhone event :p
 
Apple should bring HomePod more widely available. In Finland (for example) you can't buy it from Apple or from 3rd party retailers. Over seas you can get HomePod for 200$ in sale, in here you have to order it from Germany (that has imported it) and pay 350€. It's ridiculous.
Keep checking here; https://www.johnlewis.com/apple-homepod/white/p3417359. Frequently drops to £199 and they'll ship to Finland for €8, delivery in 4-5 days.
 
That "mini' is mini...


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I got rid of my amazon echo devices (had one in every room) when I decided to make the switch to Apple HomeKit exclusively. Bought a HomePod for the living room for voice commands, and have been using my iPhone/ Apple Watch in other rooms. I look forward to buying this smaller one for rooms where the quality isn’t as critical.

I made the switch as I’ve been trying to escape the amazon and google ecosystem, mostly for privacy reasons. But to each their own.
I got rid of every Echo I had in my house and replaced them with HomePods for the same reason. The only Echo I have left is the Echo Show (with 7" screen) that I keep on the workbench in my garage where I work alone so there is nothing for Alexa to over hear.
 
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Again, you are pulling things out of thin air. The Sonos One (NOT the top of the line) was compared to HomePod, in numerous blind tests, and either people couldn't tell the difference or Sonos mostly came out ahead.

Stop making things up.

I think you're the one making things up - of course you could post links to this nonexistent blind tests - were they with paid Youtubers by any chance?

Sonos sounds like crap mate, just because you've bought it and you're trying to defend it doesn't change that fact. I don't blind tests i've heard them all with my own ears and they have stereotypical boxy mid-range budget box sound (but for big money). The HomePod sounds ok, still not great, but decent. For the price of either you can get a pair of Elac speakers which blow them both out of the water in every way imaginable and add AirPlay2 with an amp.
 
How about letting me use a pair of them as the general speaker output for my Mac for God's sake?

My HomePod pair is used as my ('13 Trashcan) MacPro speakers. They are connected via AirPlay. Once in a blue moon they drop out but are always back up and sort themselves out within a minute or two. Sound great!
 
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