Would be fantastic if you could add these small pods to a multi-speaker setup. Current HomePods only allow for a stereo link.
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Leaker: HomePod 'Mini' Will Launch Next Month Costing $99
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If Apple does indeed introduce a $99 HomePod, I wouldn't be shocked if it's pretty much a basic wireless speaker. Without the signal processing-driven adaptive acoustic room equalization, output beamforming, and voice command isolation, that the current HomePod employs.
And with that, it will still sound OK as an autonomous Apple Music/AirPlay and Siri speaker, but not at the same level as the current HomePod.
And with that, it will still sound OK as an autonomous Apple Music/AirPlay and Siri speaker, but not at the same level as the current HomePod.
$99. Ikea Symphonisk bookshelf speaker. I have 4 of them and they are great in stereo pairs.
I also wanted to listen in the bathroom, especially podcasts in the shower, so I wall mounted a HomePod. The results have been disappointing.
I knew going into this that wall mounting a HomePod isn't ideal; best sound apparently requires a solid surface (counter, desk, table) below the HomePod. Even with low expectations, I was disappointed. In my setup, the HomePod is mounted on a wall opposite from the shower, maybe five feet way and about five feet from the floor. Perhaps if it were closer to the shower, and mounted above the shower wall, the sound would be better. It might also be better if the HomePod were on a counter, but counter space is limited and I don't want to risk getting the HomePod splashed or dirty. (Sound is okay, but not great, for listening in the bathroom, but in the shower with the water and fan running, the HomePod is muffled).
My solution, of course, in the time of 'rona, was simply to stop taking showers. Only kidding. I've still got this setup, but I'm considering putting in ceiling mount speakers and a Sonos Amp. But that will cost several times what the HomePod costs, and is it really worth that amount of money for a room I use once a month? Just kidding, again.
An inexpensive waterproof, hanging Bluetooth speaker is probably most reasonable option if I just want to listen to podcasts in the shower. But I know me: The speaker will never be charged when I want to use it, so I'm seriously thinking of going the in-ceiling speaker route despite the cost. I wish there was a cheaper, AirPlay 2 compatible alternative to the Sonos Amp.
Not everyone wants to be permanently locked into their ecosystem and not all devices support AirPlay 2. Also, I doubt many people would be able to tell the difference between Bluetooth audio and other methods.
Yeah exactly, comparing a blatantly obsolete cable to a widely used current standard make no sense. I mean, yeah, the Bluetooth standard is a bit poor... but still, having no other connectivity is the reason I don’t buy it.
I don't know how many generations of the HomePod there are. I listened to a pair of them at my local Apple Store when they first came out. The Apple rep. cranked the pair so high everyone in the Apple Store just stared at me, like up was the culprit
The bass was way, way too high. Maybe the pods had been equalized with overly emphasized bass (if they do take frequency response adjustments)?
Anyway, the demo in the Apple Store instantly transported me to the 70's where a stereo store salesman just about blew my eardrums out (with bass) with a speaker demo, while screaming "Cerwin Vega!!!" I think I ended up with Advents.
I may try out the mini-home pod. But I don't expect much more out of it than my Amazon Echo. With music reproduction you get what you pay for.
The bass was way, way too high. Maybe the pods had been equalized with overly emphasized bass (if they do take frequency response adjustments)?
Anyway, the demo in the Apple Store instantly transported me to the 70's where a stereo store salesman just about blew my eardrums out (with bass) with a speaker demo, while screaming "Cerwin Vega!!!" I think I ended up with Advents.
I may try out the mini-home pod. But I don't expect much more out of it than my Amazon Echo. With music reproduction you get what you pay for.
I just don't see Apple selling Homepods for 99 dollars. I bet they have a catch - like 99 dollars and you have to pay for a year Apple Music or something..
The last thing Apple is - is generous..
The last thing Apple is - is generous..
I agree. Except for the last part. There has been no tangible improvement on Siri’s functionality or features in far too long.
therein lies the issue with the entire ecosystem and hurts not just the products but the brand as a whole.
I wish, really wish, Apple stop paying top dollar for senior roles for a core feature/service that has yet to live up to or beyond its original promise while all the competition has outpaced it!!
ahem, Siri SVP John Giannandrea has NOT delivered anything tangible since April 3rd 2018!!
shortcuts was a purchase of an existing application. I’ll bet that was a POT cheaper for Apple than 1yr salary for John Giannandrea And that has delivered a LOT more since and continues to do so.
at €99 ill start with one and eventually will replace all my 4 google homes/home minis.
in many ways its coming at the right time, with google about to close google music and only have YouTube music.
I have all my music in iTunes and I pay for iTunes Match as I have decades of stuff and im not really into new stuff as much. what I did with google home is I uploaded all my music into google music which was free. I was even thinking about binning iTunes Match and just sticking with google music even on my iPhone and stuff, but with the move to YouTube music its not the same service.
a couple of these will mean google homes will be moved into rooms that dont have one at the minute, more for simple questions and lights and stuff, and then eventually ill persuade myself to spring for a a proper HomePod but next gen.
also....even though I say im not into new music, the apple one subscription grabs me, in portugal its only going to be €11.95 for music, tv, arcade and storage. a cheap HomePod mini would swing it.
in many ways its coming at the right time, with google about to close google music and only have YouTube music.
I have all my music in iTunes and I pay for iTunes Match as I have decades of stuff and im not really into new stuff as much. what I did with google home is I uploaded all my music into google music which was free. I was even thinking about binning iTunes Match and just sticking with google music even on my iPhone and stuff, but with the move to YouTube music its not the same service.
a couple of these will mean google homes will be moved into rooms that dont have one at the minute, more for simple questions and lights and stuff, and then eventually ill persuade myself to spring for a a proper HomePod but next gen.
also....even though I say im not into new music, the apple one subscription grabs me, in portugal its only going to be €11.95 for music, tv, arcade and storage. a cheap HomePod mini would swing it.
Not surprising. It is designed specifically with the idea that there is a solid surface under it.
I will be surprised if this is true. Pleased but very surprised.
This is constantly talked about and there have been no substantial rumors for more than 2 years. And agree with others: the price doesn’t pass the smell test.
This is constantly talked about and there have been no substantial rumors for more than 2 years. And agree with others: the price doesn’t pass the smell test.
the price passes my smell test for 3 reasons.
1. its still two to three times the price of its competitors, Echo mini is £30.
2. it wouldnt be really different to introducing the iPhone SE2
3. It would be hugely helpful in driving subs for Apple Music and therefore apple one.
If it actually materializes and is that price I’d happily buy one maybe two. At this point I’m just skeptical about the product rumor at all... but hope to be wrong!
Hoping for this too...
as a related aside, is anybody else annoyed that you can't use an always-plugged in iMac as a HomeKit hub? in my case, that means instead having to use a spare old iPad for this purpose. But a cheap HomePod that supports this function would be great
I just want them for Siri for HomeKit which I have found to be more reliable than either Alexa or google. I have a mix of HomePods, Sonos, and Kef LS50W.
Apple has sold many products better than the completion at a lower prices, Airpods for one. But people must complain...
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The dumbest comment.