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

The purpose of HomePod

v1597psh

v1597psh

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 4, 2014
245
396
London
I had a really high hopes for Apple's speaker when it was first rumoured. And after introduction of HomePod, it didn't match any of my expectations. Based on a sneak peek that Apple provided, HomePod is a supposedly good audio speaker with built-in Siri, HomeKit, AirPlay and nothing else.

I was expecting that this speaker would have a built-in battery so I can take it wherever I travel. But it looks like it's been designed to stay permanently plugged-in at home. Then I'm raising the question: Why am I supposed to buy HomePod instead of Apple TV that does all of those things, plus a lot more that I just plug into my existing stereo? HomePod is not a replacement for a home stereo as it looks like it doesn't have any AUX ports or Bluetooth for it to connect to non-Airplay devices like smart TVs.

I'm very disappointed with HomePod and I hope it won't turn out to be a failure for Apple like iPod Hi-Fi was.
 
Use case must be determined and like may products that we have never experienced our initial prerelese impressions may be wrong. They may change after the product is available and the capabilities more known. However comparing to an :apple:TV is flawed since it CAN'T and doesn't do the same things.

Here are just a few things on your :apple:TV you can't do off the top of my head.

  • Randomly be walking around the room and say "Hey Siri is it about to rain"
  • In fact you can't say ANYTHING to Siri without the remote and the :apple:TV and your TV turned on
  • You can't just say "Hey Siri play hits from the 80's" and the music would just start playing
  • With :apple:TV you need to have your TV and stereo cut on and your remote in hand, the HomePod is always on and ready to play
  • You can't send a text or email (and likely answer/make phone calls) from an :apple:TV
  • The :apple:TV has no speaker and Siri gives NO verbal response so you must read and have your TV on
 
Last edited:
I do wish it wasn't Bluetooth only but I don't care much about it having a battery. I would like to see more done with it in the future
 
I think many, many more services will be announced for HomePod before release. That's why you can't buy one for a while. I reckon there's deals they wanna get in place before.
 
  • Like
Reactions: darthbane2k
Tanax said:
Is HomePod suitable as movie speaker as well? Like Sonos Playbar?
Click to expand...
The HomePod is a 1st generation and in music playback is probably more analogous to the Sonos Play. In all likelihood Apple will add to the HomePod line in a year and I could see them adding a less expensive 'dumb' HomePod (sans A8/Siri) that could be used in a 2 & 5 channel setups as slaves. Also they could add a sub and might also add a Sound Bar type HomePod. Even possible to see a HomePod/:apple:TV (UHD/HDR/4K) Sound Bar combo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: theNatest and Tanax
Julien said:
Use case must be determined and like may products that we have never experienced our initial prerelese impressions may be wrong. They may change after the product is available and the capabilities more known. However comparing to an :apple:TV is flawed since it CAN'T and doesn't do the same things.

Here are just a few things on your :apple:TV you can't do off the top of my head.

  • Randomly be walking around the room and say "Hey Siri is it about to rain"
  • In fact you can't say ANYTHING to Siri without the remote and the :apple:TV and your TV turned on
  • You can't just say "Hey Siri play hits from the 80's" and the music would just start playing
  • With :apple:TV you need to have your TV and stereo cut on and your remote in hand, the HomePod is always on and ready to play
  • You can't send a text or email (and likely answer/make phone calls) from an :apple:TV
  • The :apple:TV has no speaker and Siri gives NO verbal response so you must read and have your TV on
Click to expand...
I'm talking about some serious use cases. Everything you've mentioned is a complete joke for me. Especially the ability to send messages and emails so my mom can read and reply to them sitting in a dining room... That's another problem that exists in Apple TV as well. Apple TV doesn't support multi-user mode. If I sign in with my Apple ID, then all my family members will be able to see my music, iCloud Photo Library, etc... That is the reason why I still use my Apple TV 3 and not upgrading to Apple TV 4 which does not solve this problem. The same thing will be happening with HomePod. And don't tell me to buy multiple HomePods and Apple TVs per every member of my family.
 
v1597psh said:
...Everything you've mentioned is a complete joke for me......doesn't support multi-user mode.....The same thing will be happening with HomePod.......
Click to expand...
While the differentiating features I listed may be a joke to you the fact is the HomePod will do may things that the :apple:TV is incapable of (and vise versa) so they are not interchangeable products.

[rhetorical] Also please post proof that the HomePod will NOT offer multi-users or be upgraded to it soon.[/rhetorical]

Until the first reviews (maybe a week or so before launch) and/or the product launch we will NOT know all of the features and capabilities so stating what it will or will not do (other than what Apple teased) is pure speculation.
 
Last edited:
Hello, I'm wondering if any1 know if it will be possible to use Homepod speakers to a PC as gaming speakers with bluetooth somehow? I don't want 2 set of speakers and i don't need any good surround gaming speaker so it would be great if it was possible.
 
Blitzes said:
Hello, I'm wondering if any1 know if it will be possible to use Homepod speakers to a PC as gaming speakers with bluetooth somehow? I don't want 2 set of speakers and i don't need any good surround gaming speaker so it would be great if it was possible.
Click to expand...

Have you even read my post?

v1597psh said:
looks like it doesn't have any AUX ports or Bluetooth for it to connect to non-Airplay devices like smart TVs.
Click to expand...
 
JarScott said:
I think many, many more services will be announced for HomePod before release. That's why you can't buy one for a while. I reckon there's deals they wanna get in place before.
Click to expand...
Yes I am sure we will learn more about it between now and December. That being said, SiriusXM being added as an Alexa skill is a major plus in the Amazon column, IMHO. Spotify and SiriusXM on Amazon Echo devices? Your move, Apple.
 
I know you guys said it only has BT but are you sure on this?

I'm poised to buy a Sonos Soundbar but I'm thinking two HomePods would be sexier. I'd prefer that.

Can someone completely rule out the possibility of HomePod connecting to a TV? Thanks.
 
erasr said:
I know you guys said it only has BT but are you sure on this?

I'm poised to buy a Sonos Soundbar but I'm thinking two HomePods would be sexier. I'd prefer that.

Can someone completely rule out the possibility of HomePod connecting to a TV? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Not only does it NOT have any input wires (for TV or other source) it doesn't even seem to offer BT pairing. It looks like it is :apple: AirPlay only.

Screen Shot 2017-07-01 at 5.43.58 AM.png

Screen Shot 2017-07-01 at 5.46.05 AM.png


In the Apple's new world order people don't watch TV anyway (oddly I haven't owned a regular TV in almost 15 years) or at least don't have one in their living room.

Screen Shot 2017-07-01 at 5.57.47 AM.png
 
Last edited:
I've been holding out on Sonos hoping Apple would come up with their own take on multiroom playback. For me, HomePod with AirPlay 2 is exactly what I'm looking for.

Plus, having pods around the house allowing me to access Siri anywhere in the house is something the Apple TV doesn't provide me at the moment, this is particularly important because I have a few HomeKit enabled devices so being able to control lights etc using HomePod will be very convenient.

I use Apple Music mainly, but I'm pretty sure with AirPlay 2 built in, I should be able to AirPlay anything from my other iDevices.
 
Ok so no TV support. In that case, whilst I know it's off-topic, do you guys recommend the Sonos Playbar if I desperately need a new soundbar within the next 6 months?
 
erasr said:
Ok so no TV support. In that case, whilst I know it's off-topic, do you guys recommend the Sonos Playbar if I desperately need a new soundbar within the next 6 months?
Click to expand...
I would ONLY buy the Playbar if I was going all in on a full home Sonos system. You pay a HIGH premium for Sonos and if not looking for full home audio you are also paying a premium for this feature. So that is 2 premiums that you could save by just buying a comparable sounding standard soundbar.

Also you could buy a much less expensive soundbar now and a HomePod for less money. Also I bet Apple will be adding to the HomePod line (Maybe a soundbar and ????) and abilities (like >5.1 HT audio) starting next year.
 
Last edited:
If you have any interest in multi-room, go PLAYBAR and never look back. It's an amazing soundbar.

I can't imagine Apple legitimately going into the sound bar business. There are too many great options in soundbars right now.

Also, if you're interested in getting a Soundbar and anything, don't get a HomePod. The thing doesn't interface with anything.
 
AustinIllini said:
If you have any interest in multi-room, go PLAYBAR and never look back. It's an amazing soundbar.

I can't imagine Apple legitimately going into the sound bar business. There are too many great options in soundbars right now.

Also, if you're interested in getting a Soundbar and anything, don't get a HomePod. The thing doesn't interface with anything.
Click to expand...
It will interface with all AirPlay 2 speakers while Sonos will only work with Sonos speakers. While Apple may or may not make a soundbar you can bet that MANY other companies will. Here is a list of companies that have already committed to Airplay 2 and you can bet the list will grow exponentially. Of course the big problem is we are talking at least 2018 and you can buy a Sonos today.

Apple said:
...You can also control any other AirPlay 2‑compatible speakers [with a HomePod]....
Click to expand...

Screen Shot 2017-07-03 at 5.41.00 AM.png
 
I'm not waiting for an Apple soundbar. That won't happen until late 2018 if at all. My personal opinion is it won't happen for many years.

You guys are 100% sure the HomePod won't work with a tv then I'm going for either a Sonos Playbar (just on its own for now) as reviews say it's a lot better than other soundbars, or the B&O Beoplay S8.

I'd rather spend money on a decent soundbar than a HomePod style speaker then have to get a Soundbar later anyway.
 
I have bought 2 Libratone Zipp speakers. You can connect them to aux out on you're TV. Works fantastic. Sound is very nice for such a small speaker.

These Zipp speakers get Airplay 2 firm update when it s ready.

For now you can link them together with librations app if you want Stereo left and right in airplay 1.

The only downside for now is you can t watch movies on apple tv if the zipps are linked together no lip sync in airplay 1. Only 1 airplay speaker can be selected by Apple TV for now. But with airplay 2 this problem is solved. Or you use the sound thru the TV aux to the libratone zipps.

So my setup will be when the homepods and Airplay 2 is released!

Now 2 Zipps next to my TV. For TV sound.

When Homepod comes i buy 3.
I rather had 5 homepods but i can t connect them directly to my TV.

1 centre and 2 back left and right and 2 Zipps front left and right. So when i watch a movie on apple tv i can send the sound to 5 speakers at once with airplay 2.

I also don t get it why Apple TV4 has no audio return channel ARC. It would be fantastic if the sound from the TV could go thru hdmi ARC back to the Appletv4 and send the TV sound to all 5 homepod speakers.

Apple should build it some kind of lipsync correction then.

Apple TV needs ARC send and receive sound and send to all airplay 2 speakers.
 
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