Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

HomePod PISSED about HomePod

NT1440 said:
He repeatedly expressed his opinion that the device should have *additional* capabilities that no consumer device has (the ability to circumvent network administration security measures) because the device is “expensive”. In return I keep getting told that Apple should have just done it, even though from a technical standpoint it’s simply not possible to do that, aside from intelligence agency equipment. That’s why I kept pushing back on that absurd notion.
Click to expand...


It’s not impossible to do, Apple could have had the iPhone act as the interface for the HomePod. Essentially using the iPhone as if it were a screen attached to the HomePod and using Safari to login to whatever network is available.

So, not at all impossible. Totally and completely improbable, ridiculous even, but not impossible.
I doubt it’s something that even crossed their minds when they were creating a speaker designed and marketed as a home device. Which was not intended to be portable in any way shape or form. They probably expect everyone to be using it on standard home networks. But hey, what do I know anyway :D
[doublepost=1520542541][/doublepost]
Amacfa said:
Your argument would make sense if I was trying to use aux cable, but I’m not. I was having a hard time using my iOS device for HomePod. What if my home WiFi was provided for free by my home owners association? And had no other choice but to use public/gateway’d internet for my HOME? It’s still in the home, so it counts for your considered ‘use case’ right?
Click to expand...

You can get free internet? Man, America gets all the good stuff :(
 
  • Like
Reactions: vipergts2207
TrueBlou said:
It’s not impossible to do, Apple could have had the iPhone act as the interface for the HomePod. Essentially using the iPhone as if it were a screen attached to the HomePod and using Safari to login to whatever network is available.

So, not at all impossible. Totally and completely improbable, ridiculous even, but not impossible.
I doubt it’s something that even crossed their minds when they were creating a speaker designed and marketed as a home device. Which was not intended to be portable in any way shape or form. They probably expect everyone to be using it on standard home networks. But hey, what do I know anyway :D
[doublepost=1520542541][/doublepost]

You can get free internet? Man, America gets all the good stuff :(
Click to expand...

Nothing is free, you pay for it in some way or another!
 
Amacfa said:
Your argument would make sense if I was trying to use aux cable, but I’m not. I was having a hard time using my iOS device for HomePod. What if my home WiFi was provided for free by my home owners association? And had no other choice but to use public/gateway’d internet for my HOME? It’s still in the home, so it counts for your considered ‘use case’ right?
Click to expand...
Even in this scenario, how do you expect Apple to make the HomePod circumvent network configurations that are entirely out of their hands? If a network is set up to block a certain class of device or service, that’s just how he network is configured. Are you expecting a HomePod (or any other networked device) to hack the network and put its own preferred settings in place?

What specifically do you think Apple can do in the hotel situation this thread is about?
[doublepost=1520543731][/doublepost]
TrueBlou said:
It’s not impossible to do, Apple could have had the iPhone act as the interface for the HomePod. Essentially using the iPhone as if it were a screen attached to the HomePod and using Safari to login to whatever network is available.

So, not at all impossible. Totally and completely improbable, ridiculous even, but not impossible.
I doubt it’s something that even crossed their minds when they were creating a speaker designed and marketed as a home device. Which was not intended to be portable in any way shape or form. They probably expect everyone to be using it on standard home networks. But hey, what do I know anyway :D
Click to expand...
This is exactly what I’ve been saying, perhaps phrased your way people will get it?
 
Amacfa said:
Hmmm maybe make it so you don’t have to manually enable peer-to-peer airplay :rolleyes:

Please cease your discussion.
Click to expand...
That’s not what you started this on. You stated multiple times the device should just work on hotel WiFi regardless of how that WiFi is configured.
 
NT1440 said:
That’s not what you started this on. You stated multiple times the device should just work on hotel WiFi regardless of how that WiFi is configured.
Click to expand...
Now your changing my argument. I wanted either p2p airplay enabled out of the box or WiFi-less setup process. Please feel free to quote me saying this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arran
chabig said:
[doublepost=1520544788][/doublepost]
That's what AirPlay is.
Click to expand...
That’s what I thought too. But you need to change a setting in the home app (after initial pairing) to allow your iOS device to communicate with the HomePod without WiFi.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arran
NT1440 said:
Uh, as it’s been explained several times in this thread...you’re demanding that smart speakers come with a mechanism that somehow circumvents the captive portals a private company has put in place on their private network.

It doesn’t matter what you paid, it’s a nonsensical expectation.

That’s not even getting into the fact that the device, HOMEpod, is explicitly named for the use-case it was designed for. It is NOT a travel speaker regardless of what you paid for it.
Click to expand...

Somehow, Amazon managed to do it for their smart speakers. Apparently neither Apple nor HomePod are smart enough.
 
Amacfa said:
That’s what I thought too. But you need to change a setting in the home app (after initial pairing) to allow your iOS device to communicate with the HomePod without WiFi.
Click to expand...
I don't think so. I just checked in my Home app. What setting are you talking about? No AirPlay devices require any special setup to work as AirPlay devices.
 
chabig said:
I don't think so. I just checked in my Home app. What setting are you talking about? No AirPlay devices require any special setup to work as AirPlay devices.
Click to expand...
See attached files. If this setting is not set to ‘Everyone’, none of my iOS devices will find HomePod (when not on WiFi). This setting is set to ‘Anyone in the same network’ by default and is hidden pretty well!

Why it’s not enabled by default, like AirPods work, is beyond me.

My AirPods were way easier than HomePod, that’s for sure. Weird that HomePod has dedicated settings for airplay.
 

Attachments

  • 0AB52F03-6713-4D03-8AE4-5905E5B940DE.png
    0AB52F03-6713-4D03-8AE4-5905E5B940DE.png
    245.6 KB · Views: 142
  • A2544C88-5935-4422-8F0A-F97B171A264F.jpeg
    A2544C88-5935-4422-8F0A-F97B171A264F.jpeg
    555.7 KB · Views: 151
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Arran
Well those settings are quite hidden. I understand why the default is the way it is, though. If it were set to everyone by default, neighbors could randomly start playing things over your speakers.
 
chabig said:
Well those settings are quite hidden. I understand why the default is the way it is, though. If it were set to everyone by default, neighbors could randomly start playing things over your speakers.
Click to expand...

But if you had WiFi off, they shouldn’t be able to - kinda like AirPods pair to specific devices
 
falainber said:
Somehow, Amazon managed to do it for their smart speakers. Apparently neither Apple nor HomePod are smart enough.
Click to expand...
Source? Amazons own help page tells you to contact an administrator if the network requires authentication like a captive portal.
 
NT1440 said:
Source? Amazons own help page tells you to contact an administrator if the network requires authentication like a captive portal.
Click to expand...

https://www.reddit.com/r/amazonecho...rk_on_public_network/?st=jej2tamw&sh=80704fe3

Quote:
Can't speak for the Dot, but the Echo works fine with public wifi networks. At least configuring via Android, the Echo creates an AP which your phone connects to and then presents the portal/authentication page (if there is one) on your phone. During the process it does warn you that your Echo may require an update to support the functionality.
 
falainber said:
https://www.reddit.com/r/amazonecho...rk_on_public_network/?st=jej2tamw&sh=80704fe3

Quote:
Can't speak for the Dot, but the Echo works fine with public wifi networks. At least configuring via Android, the Echo creates an AP which your phone connects to and then presents the portal/authentication page (if there is one) on your phone. During the process it does warn you that your Echo may require an update to support the functionality.
Click to expand...

This is what I was saying should be able to be done. Just route the authentication page to an iPhone or iPad, since they both have a browser. Far from impossible.
 
At the very least, Apple could have asked the user during the initial pairing if they would like to enable WiFi-less airplay, instead of me having a youtuber explain where it’s hidden in the home app.

And why is it hidden somewhere that looks like the GPS icon o_O
 
  • Like
Reactions: sammy2066 and Breezygirl
TrueBlou said:
Yeah, get yourself a RAVPower 27,000mAh USB-C Portable Charger with Built-in A/C Outlet. There's your power, Personal Hotspot for your internet and network, or if needs be, in combination with the Kingston MobileLite for a WiFi Network. Bob's your cousins, sisters, son's, dad's brother :p

(Incidentally, I do have the RAVPower A/C PowerBank, it's a pretty awesome piece of techy toy).
Click to expand...

Love your thought process.....
I actually have a Kingston ML G2 that I use in conjunction with a portable HD to transfer GoPro videos in the field.

Siri might not work so well at 80 MPH... :oops:
 
oneMadRssn said:
I didn't say it was impossible, I said it was abnormal. Most people also don't travel with a trunk-full of telescope equipment either. I guarantee every example of bringing a plug-in appliance that weighs over 5lbs and is larger than a pair of shoes is going to be some way out there oddball example. Some bowlers probably travel with a plug-in bowling ball polishing machine. Doesn't make it normal.
Click to expand...
You wouldn’t believe what some full-time-traveling consultants schlep through airports every week. Understandable when you spend more nights in hotel rooms than at home.

Good music isn’t an unreasonable ask. And the HomePod sounds really good at low volume - making it neighbor-friendly.

(Thanks to the OP and a few others, BTW, for patiently keeping this thread focused and useful - despite the noise. Good info. Good questions. Good follow up. Thanks!)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: A MacBook lover
During a recent mass cable outage in my area (due to wind) I was struggling to get my HomePod to play. After some trial and error I found that if I selected it as the player and it wouldn't even play music downloaded to my phone however if I played it too the phone and then airplayed it (my network was still up of course) I could get it to work.

I know this isn't of much relevance to this thread but I was a little disappointed it doesn't have P2P like the AppleTV does. I would have thought that it would since that seems it could be useful feature. To me its more likely the HP would be moved somewhere (away from wifi) than a AppleTV would.

Once I got it working I didn't experiment with it too much so maybe I just missed something though.
 
maflynn said:
Yep, that was already recommended and I think OP is going that route at this point
Click to expand...
This doesn’t work. The device emitting the hotspot can’t connect to its own hotspot. This would work if you had more than one iOS device.

In my case I’d need to run the hotspot on my phone, then use an iPad or iPod to pair/play music.
 
Arran said:
You wouldn’t believe what some full-time-traveling consultants schlep through airports every week. Understandable when you spend more nights in hotel rooms than at home.

Good music isn’t an unreasonable ask. And the HomePod sounds really good at low volume - making it neighbor-friendly.

(Thanks to the OP and a few others, BTW, for patiently keeping this thread focused and useful - despite the noise. Good info. Good questions. Good follow up. Thanks!)
Click to expand...

Nobody in this thread is suggesting that it is unreasonable to travel with good speakers. They are merely pointing out how ludicrous it is to travel with the HomePod and expect it to work on a public hotel captive portal wifi. As if putting "Home" in the name wasn't clear enough.

By the way, I travel a lot for my job. I've seen some people traveling with some odd things. What always surprises me is that there is always someone that makes a portable version of whatever anyone needs. Need dual monitors to work remotely on your laptop? There are portable monitors. Need an inversion therapy table for your back? Don't bring the big one you have at home, they make one that folds up into a small carry-on bag. (yes, I've seen someone set it up in an airport lounge) Likewise, there are very good speakers designed for use away from home.

Also, I agree that the HomePod sounds really good at low volume. But so do other speakers. The HomePod is hardly the best in this regard. There are plenty of options, especially if looking in the $350 range, that are designed for on-the-go or portable use that sound just as good. Just because it doesn't have an Apple logo doesn't mean it's bad.

Bring a HomePod to a hotel room is like bringing a floor jack to a rental car. Sure, it's a tool that will work; but it's plainly the wrong tool for the situation. Floor jacks are for your home garage, not for traveling with. The HomePod is the same.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back