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HomePod New HomePod - does anyone trust Apple again?
- Thread starter darthbane2k
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Itinj24
macrumors 601
Go to the photo, tap on it and then tap on the share button (a square with an arrow pointing out the top). Then tap on copy photo. Come back here and tap in the text field and tap the paste button.
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Tap on attach file below👇. Tap photo library and pick the photo. Tap add and then it will show up below 👇. Tap insert.
The Game 161
macrumors Nehalem
I decided to pre-order more for the temp sensors to be fair and the fact it would send alerts if there are issues within the house to my phone when out. I have two homepod minis one which will be in kitchen and one in bedroom. This one will be in the lounge. The audio will be an added bonus without a doubt and would get daily usage for podcasts alone.
usmaak
macrumors 65816
The iPad 3 was a train wreck. I had to go through more than a few to get a screen that didn’t have bad flaws in it. The launch day one that I got had yellow blotches all over it and was about 15% darker on the left side than the right. I eventually ended up with one that only had minor yellow blotches and a screen that was only a little bit piss yellow. And yes, it was a little furnace. I had a friend who saw mine and decided to wait for the iPad 4 and it was definitely the right choice.
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Personally, I don’t think apple discontinued the original HomePod because of its problems. I think the issues were a slow burn that apple was willing to endure so long as they were making money.
I think the problem for apple was that they weren’t making the money. Two price cuts and far lower than expected sales killed it. And so, yes I expect the newer one to have fixed the problems; but I suspect its reason for being is that apple has slashed its production cost.
With this release I now see the HomePod as sort of an appleTV type product. It’s a market that apple feels they need a toehold in, but not one that they really know what to do with right now. They’re hoping to keep the speaker around until something develops to support it.
The problem with that though is that in this case Apple already has the ecosystem to support it, but so far it’s not working. Who knows why for sure but my opinion is that Apple needs to take a “prosumer” approach rather than following their usual consumer level philosophy. In other words, be Sonos.
They can do that but I don’t think they will until the tech press starts to pressure them on how far they’ve allowed their music related product lines to fall.
Truthfully, the only great product apple has in that category are the AirPods. HomePods are mediocre at best and this new one should be being panned as a complete nothing burger.
But I honestly I don’t think that pressure will come because I don’t think that there is anyone in the tech press that truly is a music person. There’s no other way to explain the seeming lack of concern over the unmitigated buggy disaster that the music app on the Mac has become. And where are people like Gruber on the horrendous interface developments in Music? Elements that literally move as you’re trying to tap them? Impossible to manipulate controls? Hell, there’s a friggin INVISIBLE button on the Mac music app that’s a whopping 4” x 9” on my iMac. And it’s modal!
Geez.
I think the problem for apple was that they weren’t making the money. Two price cuts and far lower than expected sales killed it. And so, yes I expect the newer one to have fixed the problems; but I suspect its reason for being is that apple has slashed its production cost.
With this release I now see the HomePod as sort of an appleTV type product. It’s a market that apple feels they need a toehold in, but not one that they really know what to do with right now. They’re hoping to keep the speaker around until something develops to support it.
The problem with that though is that in this case Apple already has the ecosystem to support it, but so far it’s not working. Who knows why for sure but my opinion is that Apple needs to take a “prosumer” approach rather than following their usual consumer level philosophy. In other words, be Sonos.
They can do that but I don’t think they will until the tech press starts to pressure them on how far they’ve allowed their music related product lines to fall.
Truthfully, the only great product apple has in that category are the AirPods. HomePods are mediocre at best and this new one should be being panned as a complete nothing burger.
But I honestly I don’t think that pressure will come because I don’t think that there is anyone in the tech press that truly is a music person. There’s no other way to explain the seeming lack of concern over the unmitigated buggy disaster that the music app on the Mac has become. And where are people like Gruber on the horrendous interface developments in Music? Elements that literally move as you’re trying to tap them? Impossible to manipulate controls? Hell, there’s a friggin INVISIBLE button on the Mac music app that’s a whopping 4” x 9” on my iMac. And it’s modal!
Geez.
Topfry
macrumors regular
All these things aren’t mutually exclusive, tho; it has technical issues, and software issues and prob didn’t make as much profit as Apple anticipated; needs much more attention on home and music and Siri, and yet remains one of my favourite Apple devices of all time, in spite of this.
I think the new version is very understandable in light of those issues; it looks like they’ve made savings on components, and hopefully heat and reliability problems will be resolved. Those of us who bought the first version will be keen to sift the comparison reviews, I remember how hyped up the HomePod mini sound was in the media, which might be said to not live up to expectations. There’s a strong possibility the sound won’t be any better, but the reliability and integration will have evolved. just like the last Apple TV, there’s not quite enough difference to tempt 1st gen owners to ditch their older HomePods in favour of these… unless you’re willing to forego the ability to cook your breakfast eggs on the tops. I appreciate the idea of the matter/ thread radios, but there’s no real context for that, yet, certainly not enough to convince me to risk another £600 on the same experience (although having checked out eBay there’s a massive frenzy on used OF HomePods, so perhaps I’m wrong about that too)
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If new model is anywhere close to the OG, the sound difference with the Mini will blow your mind.
Yes, of course we do. (Looks at his still-in-use 2014 MBP, iPad 3, Time Capsule, and iPhone 5, then types this on his iPhone XR…)
That said, Apple’s non-response to the original HomePod’s bricking issues (quiet discontinuation with no announcement; no repair possible, just full-price replacement) will keep me from pulling the trigger on another Apple smart speaker. I don’t really need Siri in a speaker, and Sonos makes a damn good speaker AND stands behind it.
xraydoc
Contributor
I have two OG HomePods, both purchased right as they were being discontinued, so I got them for $299 each. They're in a stereo pair and no issues thus far. They sound great and still do their job. I do have AppleCare for them, so I'm not sure what Apple would do if I have a service issue.
I also have 7 HomePod minis scattered about the house. I don't expect superior audio from a $99 speaker, so I'm not to concerned about their sound (though they're definitely serviceable for a small room in a stereo pair). They're mostly for Siri commands for smart home devices like lights, scenes, thermostats, etc.
I also have Sonos in three rooms (though purchased before the OG HomePod was discontinued); one surround system and two other rooms each with stereo One SLs.
I have no "trust" issues with Apple's HomePods. The OG simply wasn't selling well, so they were discontinued. Then, everyone started clamoring for a bigger HomePod again. Hopefully they sell as many as people were begging for. I'm actively looking for an excuse to buy a pair, but I'm not sure where I'd put them as I currently already have speakers of one kind or another in every room I need them.
I also have 7 HomePod minis scattered about the house. I don't expect superior audio from a $99 speaker, so I'm not to concerned about their sound (though they're definitely serviceable for a small room in a stereo pair). They're mostly for Siri commands for smart home devices like lights, scenes, thermostats, etc.
I also have Sonos in three rooms (though purchased before the OG HomePod was discontinued); one surround system and two other rooms each with stereo One SLs.
I have no "trust" issues with Apple's HomePods. The OG simply wasn't selling well, so they were discontinued. Then, everyone started clamoring for a bigger HomePod again. Hopefully they sell as many as people were begging for. I'm actively looking for an excuse to buy a pair, but I'm not sure where I'd put them as I currently already have speakers of one kind or another in every room I need them.
unculturedswine
macrumors newbie
I just shipped my OG HomePod off yesterday to Nic's Fix (https://nicsfix.com/) to replace the capacitors that fail, causing the popping and the death fart. It'll cost me $60. I'm pretty upset that Apple doesn't offer this repair, but happy 3rd party people do. I took it to the Genius Bar and was told Tough Luck, best I can do is let you buy a 1st Gen from inventory for $279. Absolutely pathetic offering for something that seems to be a common, well-known issue.
I'm curious about a side by side sound comparison of 1 vs 2, seeing as they removed a few tweeters in the 2nd Gen. Maybe for improved cooling? Has one been taken apart yet?
I'm curious about a side by side sound comparison of 1 vs 2, seeing as they removed a few tweeters in the 2nd Gen. Maybe for improved cooling? Has one been taken apart yet?
shooter45acp
macrumors regular
Itinj24
macrumors 601
Funny how you say it’s “weird” when this thing is working as advertised. Says a lot about the product lol.
shooter45acp
macrumors regular
Yes I agree trust me should not be weird should just work! But my OG has been having issues for a while now maybe a year and now as of last night everything is working go figure!!
Itinj24
macrumors 601
Oh I hear ya bud. I bought nine of these things based on a promise by Apple lol.