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Smaller, Lower-Priced HomePod Appears Increasingly Closer to Launching

Slippery Gimp said:
It’s a shame this hadn’t happened a year or two ago, since we’ve got Alexa’s up and downstairs now.
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Same. I got my first Echo Dot about eight months ago and instantly fell in love with it. Now I’ve got two full-sized Echos in my living room and five Echo Dots throughout the rest of my house.

The sound quality is fantastic for my non-picky ears. Alexa runs circles around Siri. They work perfectly with all my smart lights and plugs (which are also HomeKit compatible for future proofing should I ever switch to HomePod). And only paid $173 for all seven Echo devices.

At this point Apple is gonna have to pull some crazy magic tricks outta their butts to make me jump ship.
 
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FWIW I paid under $175 each for both of my HomePods-refurbed-which is the max price they worked for me. They sound amazing for a bedroom system. I’d add a pair of the newer version at no more than $250/pair for surround. If the newer version 2 don’t sound equally as good, I’ll never use them as a primary system in another room.
 
I have one that I got on sale and have to admit that I don't use it much. We do have a couple Amazon Dots that we use more for controlling lights. The Homepod does sound good, but I already have a great system. Sometimes I'll bring it out to the deck to play music if I think about it.
I think these would be great as a stereo pair (discounted) for someone who doesn't own a good two channel or surround system or for apartment dwellers, or a separate exercise room, etc.....they don't take up much room which is nice.

Sorry....just babbling.
 
I have one HomePod in my living room now that I absolutely love, and have been wanting something for the bedroom/bathroom as well. Tempted to go for the BB deal, but really curious what the new model will be like. If it's some sort of iPad/Homepod hybrid that has a screen (ala Echo Show) I'd be SO in.
 
Amplelink said:
This sounds less like a "mini" HomePod and more like a complete replacement. Otherwise, why bother clearing out inventory unless you know that the new version is going to severely hamper sales of the old version. I don't recall Apple ever marking down a product by this much?

I have three of these now. Maybe the new one isn't a Mini at all, but the same thing with better hardware. I can't imagine how they'd make the hardware much better though. The real issue is ......... Siri. Or maybe the next one will have built-in Bluetooth?
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Current one already has Bluetooth. https://www.apple.com/uk/homepod/specs/
Apple just doesn't allow it to be used for streaming.
 
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Pupi said:
Too bad in Europe their price is basically immutable. No discounts no nothing. I wouldn’t mind grabbing a couple more otherwise.

Maybe after it’s discontinued.
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Might be worth shopping around, if you haven’t done so already. For example John Lewis have them on sale for £199 right now with a £70 saving.
 
oilers780 said:
I get that Apple is more privacy friendly, but can a HomePod Mini really go up against Amazon's Echo Dots and Google's Home Minis? They have the better AI assistant and are pretty cost effective.
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If I buy a speaker, it is primarily there to play music. Everything else is a bonus. Would you want to use an Echo Dot as a speaker for your music? Or a Home Mini? Siri is just a bonus on top.
 
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I am wanting to purchase the full sized version and not the “smaller” version that’ll be coming. My concern is whether or not the existing model will be getting a processor bump. It’s currently the A8. Is that more than enough for the HomePod where we shouldn’t expect to see an upgrade to specs. Will the smaller version also feature the A8? If so, I’d go ahead and pull the trigger on the current HomePod.

Also curious why they would be “clearing out” inventory if the current version is sticking around. Why wouldn’t Apple keep offering the superior product?
 
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Blind tests show it actually competes with (or loses to) products that are priced at $199 (the Sonos One). Those products offer much more versatility and services (including Apple Music).

benshive said:
$199 is a steal for the original HomePod if you're in it more for the quality of the speakers and less for a powerful virtual assistant. Sound-wise it competes with the Google Home Max that launched at double the price.
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I fail to see how this is a clearance and them replacing the HomePod with a weaker Mini version. That‘d absolutely blow for people who want the sound quality.

I hope one of these scenarios happens:
- Smaller form factor with matching sound quality / hardware
- 2 SKUs: one weaker + cheaper Mini and a refreshed original one (or better one).
 
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Analog Kid said:
My only real complaint is that I can’t get a stereo pair to work as an Airplay target... I can set a single unit up and share to devices not on its network, but I can’t seem to do that with a pair.
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works here and has done for ages
 
Shalev said:
the new model has to have a user interface, its an abstract object for the everyday people
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Do you think if the first GEN HomePod incorporated a user interface, that would’ve made an impact any differently in terms of ‘popularity’? When consumers are purchasing a device like this, it really is meant to be ‘hands-free‘ With control through your iPhone, I don’t think a user interface is something that would be a selling point for a device like this, even though I see the advantage somewhat.
 
eatrains said:
How long did the iPod Hi-Fi last?
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Sure it was only sold from early 2006 to late 2007. On the bright side, I have 2, and they work great 13 years later. I have an AirPort Express paired to my main unit and an old iPod in the other.

Since iPod HiFi isn’t using an A8 that Apple will drop support for and eventually your HomePod won’t be able to access Apple Music once Apple discontinues it and changes server settings.

My original Apple TV from 2009 no longer can access the iTunes Store. Your $200 or $350 HomePod will suffer the same fate eventually and you won’t be able to use it as a dumb speaker since Apple doesn’t have an aux jack. Look at how Sonos drops support for their products after a while.
 
gnasher729 said:
If I buy a speaker, it is primarily there to play music. Everything else is a bonus. Would you want to use an Echo Dot as a speaker for your music? Or a Home Mini? Siri is just a bonus on top.
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I use my Echo Dot as a smart AI assistant primarily. Music is very secondary because I use my MBA or iPhone to play music. Even if the HomePod has Sonos quality speakers or something of that nature, I wouldn't use it that much. For me, it would be a waste of $. For others, it might be great. But to compete w/ Google and Amazon? Apple needs a lower price point, a much better version of Siri, and to improve the product.

More competition in this space would be better, but for now? Apple's pricing has been better as of late w/ key products like the 2020 MBA or the iPhone SE, but I am not expecting Siri to be overhauled in iOS14 enough to attenuate the gap so much between itself and the competition.
 
ouimetnick said:
If I worked at Apple, I’d buy 10 at $150 a pop and sell 8 of them for profit.
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...Which would abruptly end your tenure there. There are agreements and restrictions that come with those employee prices. It’s a great way to get fired.
 
What is the use of a HomePod if you cannot buy it?

Still not available in The Netherlands... (what a shame on Apple)
 
The speaker sounds fantastic, but Siri’s progression and “skills” are an absolute joke. I am consumed in Apple’s ecosystem with the exception of HomeKit/Siri. Sans privacy concerns, Alexa is vastly superior in almost every way. In no circumstance will I be purchasing HomePod “mini” without a stark expansion in Siri functionality and features.
 
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Pupi said:
Too bad in Europe their price is basically immutable. No discounts no nothing. I wouldn’t mind grabbing a couple more otherwise.

Maybe after it’s discontinued.
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Said same thing to myself before I read your comment. I looked a few days ago on the German website and the price is still 329€. I really want to get one of these bad, but not paying anything beyond 200€. Guess I’ll keep waiting :(
 
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