New HomePod Launches Today, Apple Store Pickup Now Available

[MacWiz_007]

I'm sure Apple Store pickup will always be available, until these get discontinued...again! 🤣

 

[MrMacintoshIII]

Have to wonder about people who overpay for crap like this. They’ll be half priced later in year.

Let’s see, I’ll create a link to this thread and add it to my calendar for Black Friday and let’s see what the price of these is yeah. Just for fun.

 

[StudioMacs]

5 Ghz WiFi will give a faster connection, but 2.4 Ghz will typically give better signal range, and thus a more stable connection when the HomePod is in a room far from the WiFi router.

Making it 802.11n only was probably a deliberate decision on Apple's part. It'll save a few cents on antennas but also should improve WiFi reliability for most users, in a device that simply doesn't need high bandwidth.

802.11n can run on the 5 GHz band, and HomePod mini does indeed connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks (Like other S5 powered devices).

I know this because my 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks are named differently, and mini connects to the 5 GHz network. A quick web search will also support this.

 

[ZacKaffeine]

Anyone in the US seeing an option for instore pickup?

Just updating—the in store pickup option became available right around 8

 

[UltimateSyn]

Mine will be delivered later today. Too cold to drive to an Apple Store to pick one up.

 

[James_C]

Have to wonder about people who overpay for crap like this. They’ll be half priced later in year.

Well you are entitled to your option, but I bought 4 of the OG HomePods and 5 Mini's - I replaced all my Sonos units with Apple's HomePods and have not looked back, I think they are great, particularly when they are in a stereo pair. Siri does everything I need it too, play music, turn the lights off and on, call my family. I personally don't want a better home assistant sending everything I say back to their mothership.

 

[Flood4]

There is 0 reason they would sale more than the other one… but still glad they at least offer the option for the folks who want it.

 

[akbarali.ch]

Wasn't the top display flushed with the fabric border in the new one and in the old one it is a bit recessed inside? I'm a bit confused.

 

[User 6502]

Let’s see, I’ll create a link to this thread and add it to my calendar for Black Friday and let’s see what the price of these is yeah. Just for fun.

That’s it if they’ll still be for sale by then 😂. Jokes aside I don’t think they’ll discontinue it again SO soon, but I am convinced it won’t last much longer than the previous reincarnation. Apple might keep it in the store just not to be humiliated again, but the sales numbers will be meagre.

 

[James_C]

Wasn't the top display flushed with the fabric border in the new one and in the old one it is a bit recessed inside? I'm a bit confused.

Its the other way round the new ones have a recessed touch surface on the top, presumably to reduce the risk of scratches.

 

[apexsky7]

I ordered two for store-pick up today. The store pick-up option was available around 7:50 am EST.

 

[mrochester]

Apple’s reality distortion field hits once again. The home pod uses an outdated Wi-Fi standard just because it’s using a cheaper Watch chip, downgraded from a more expensive iPhone chip of the previous HomePod. It has nothing to do with bandwidth or stability or anything: it’s just apple trying to increase their margins, same thing they did by removing two tweeters and two microphones.

I would have thought that with a greater margin, Apple can more easily justify sustaining lower volume sales and thus more likely to keep the product around for longer. If the margin is too small or the price too high, that can’t be sustained.

 

[User 6502]

I would have thought that with a greater margin, Apple can more easily justify sustaining lower volume sales and thus more likely to keep the product around for longer. If the margin is too small or the price too high, that can’t be sustained.

This is entirely possible. Maybe they’re aware that it won’t sell better than the previous one and decided to keep it afloat by increasing the margin per unit sold. I suppose I’d have preferred if they made it into an actually appealing product, but Tim lacks courage to do anything and just wants to play safe.

 

[BrownyQ]

So I bit the bullet and bought a pair as a gift. We'll find out this weekend if they work for the living room set up.

And if not... either I'll keep them for a smaller room, or swap them for two more minis to spread out elsewhere.

 

[AnorexicPig]

I ordered two for store-pick up today. The store pick-up option was available around 7:50 am EST.

Same ordered 2 Apple Store pickup today for midnight, option became available at 7 am local time. Online orders are into march for midnight in Canada.

 

[sammo123321]

I do want two... but I'll wait for the Costco price.

 

[montuori]

Anyone in the US seeing an option for instore pickup?

In New Oreleans, yes.

 

[mrochester]

This is entirely possible. Maybe they’re aware that it won’t sell better than the previous one and decided to keep it afloat by increasing the margin per unit sold. I suppose I’d have preferred if they made it into an actually appealing product, but Tim lacks courage to do anything and just wants to play safe.

Appealing to you, is what you mean. It’s ok, not all products appeal to everyone.

 

[dtlee1974]

I ordered two for store-pick up today. The store pick-up option was available around 7:50 am EST.

Same. Grabbing 2 at 10AM. I'm using them as a stereo pair for my Apple TV. I don't use Spotify.

 

[Burger Thing]

I have more or less installed the HomePod in our Bedroom. More or less because I have serious connectivity issues. I can’t hand over songs from my iPhone. Also the upgrade to 16.3 was messy. maybe because HomeKit itself it’s a disaster or the WiFi of the new HomePod sucks. Probably both. Thanks Apple.

 

[mlabonte21]

Sigh--I had a ton of Adorama credit. Placed the order a few days ago and its on backorder with no ETA.

Will likely arrive around the 4th of July.

 

[User 6502]

Appealing to you, is what you mean. It’s ok, not all products appeal to everyone.

Appealing to more people than the previous version, which apparently weren’t many. At least not enough for apple to keep it for sale. But let’s put it another way: maybe you find it appealing. It’s okay: no product, however bad it might be, won’t find at least a few people who find it appealing 😉

 

[mrochester]

Appealing to more people than the previous version, which apparently weren’t many. At least not enough for apple to keep it for sale. But let’s put it another way: maybe you find it appealing. It’s okay: no product, however bad it might be, won’t find at least a few people who find it appealing 😉

Exactly, people who find the product good and appealing will buy it, and people who find the product bad and unappealing wont.

 

[Wags]

Local store has already slipped to 14th March for the Midnight option. Had availability at 8am this morning so either stores aren’t getting many units in or it has been super popular. I’m going with not many units!

Sure Apple was pretty cautious with pre release stock. Don’t want to build what they can’t sell and like the appearance of a hot sales item.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

So excited to receive mine. Better yet, it’s coming from Apple’s new distribution center in Indiana.

Apple establishing $100M distribution center in Hendricks County, creating up to 500 new jobs

Project aims to accelerate delivery times for U.S. customers.

www.indystar.com

Apple announces new facility in Hendricks County

CLAYTON, Ind. — Apple announced plans Monday to invest in new operations in central Indiana, opening a state-of-the-art distribution center in Hendricks County. Apple’s investment will suppor…

cbs4indy.com