Tim Cook Says HomePod Experience Will Blow People Away

[Sill]

The key takeaway I got was that any of capabilities other than music related stuff seemed to be downplayed.

It felt like the most lackluster product introduction Apple has ever done:

Since the last one, you mean? Or the one before that?

I felt this was the best note of the post-Jobs era, and the HomePod the most interesting product of the era after the oatmeal box MacPro. Certainly Steve had his share of lackluster intros - go watch the iCards note if you really want to cringe on his behalf. (Yes, I'm conflating services with products - if credit card companies, software house, and banks get to talk about their 'products', I get to call iCards a product).

Mercifully, we had minimal Cook-time on the stage. On the excitement scale, watching Cook speak comes in somewhere between watching paint dry and watching cars rust.

 

[Bolt1982]

In an interview today with Bloomberg TV, Apple CEO Tim Cook said customers will be "blown away" by the experience of the HomePod.

"I think people are going to love it. I know they are," said Cook. "I think they're going to be blown away by the experience."

When questioned about why a customer should choose to purchase the HomePod over the Amazon Echo or Google Home, especially considering it's the most expensive of the three, Cook said Apple's focus was on creating a "breakthrough speaker" that delivers a high-quality audio experience in the home.

"What we tried to do is build something that is a breakthrough speaker first," said Cook. "Music is deep in our DNA, dating back to iTunes and iPod. We wanted something that, number one, sounded unbelievable. I think when people listen to it, they're going to be shocked over the quality of the sound."

A portion of Apple CEO Tim Cook's interview with Bloomberg TV today​

Nevertheless, Cook acknowledged that both Apple and customers want a speaker that does more than simply play music.

"Of course, it does a lot of other things, right, and all of those are important as well, but we wanted a really high-quality audio experience," said Cook.

"There's a lot of things you can do with it," he added. "There's a lot of things that Siri knows how to do from the phone. We'll start with a patch of those as [Apple marketing chief] Phil [Schiller] showed today during the keynote, and then you can bet there's a nice follow-on activity there as well."

Cook said Apple has been working on the HomePod for "multiple years," and as usual, it wasn't focused on being first to the market.

"We didn't have the first MP3 player. We didn't have the first smartphone. We didn't have the first tablet," he said. "For us, it's not about being first. It's about being the best, and giving users an experience that delights them every time. We don't let that impatience result in shipping something that's just not great."

Cook also briefly reflected on today's iOS 11 announcements, ARKit serving as a "foundation" for Apple's augmented reality efforts, and why he elected against joining U.S. President Donald Trump's various councils and committees.

HomePod will be available in December for $349 in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It'll launch in other countries next year.

Article Link: Tim Cook Says HomePod Experience Will Blow People Away

[doublepost=1496749697][/doublepost]The fact that this item is not available in Canada and China at initial launch is quite funny, pretty much your two biggest markets outside of the US! China is always knowing for its technology, I'm sorry apple you've might had lost me on this product, just pre ordered Google Home which is being released in Canada June 26th for $179

 

[Sill]

I would rather hook up my B&W speakers with an Echo Dot...

I'd rather hook up my B&W speakers without an Echo Dot. Or any other spyware.

I'm a firm proponent of two channel stereo. Its all I really want. Still, stereo has its limitations. James Bongiorno, during the last phase of his career, was obsessed with the limitations of stereo sound, and was advancing his trinaural concept to combat that. I never had a chance to audition them but his influence and genius were widely known. I had a pair of his VMPS towers and was impressed with them.

So, who is to say that stereo is the only way to make a great soundstage? The first time I heard a Play:1 was in a customer's office, and it completely surprised me. Very clean, effortless sound. Why couldn't the HomePod, designed by audio people at the world's largest and most resourceful company, duplicate and extend that experience? There are already systems that produce extremely localized, high quality sound by using colliding beam-formed soundwaves directed right at a single listener, while leaving nearby people oblivious to the sound. Who can say one day we won't have a simple source the size of a wall thermostat that fills a room with the precise sound and reflections as if you had a band playing in the corner?

I may try the HomePod out myself, as long as I can run it without being connected to the net. There's still the matter of those ever-present microphones...

 

[twinlight]

I'm intrigued about the sound. Multi room audio is obviously included so Sonos have some competition now. Some features sounds cool like asking who plays drums in a song and so on but knowing Siri she will missunderstand and start playing a new drum track instead.

Also US, UK and Australia first. Obviously no better Siri for us non English speakers. It will arrive here without most Siri features some months later. TV app and News is missing. ATV doesn't have Siri even for basic stuff and using dictation is more of a drinking game. Everyone drink when she gets your sentence. It went to hell quickly..

 

[spazzcat]

I'd rather hook up my B&W speakers without an Echo Dot. Or any other spyware.
...

I may try the HomePod out myself, as long as I can run it without being connected to the net. There's still the matter of those ever-present microphones...

It will most likely stream music from iTunes, so requiring internet. I still don't get this, do you not have a smart phone?

 

[Sam_S]

I'd rather hook up my B&W speakers without an Echo Dot. Or any other spyware.

So would I, I was meaning as alternative to the HomePod. I certainly think for the price point I would rather make the most of the gear I already have.

I'm a firm proponent of two channel stereo. Its all I really want. Still, stereo has its limitations. James Bongiorno, during the last phase of his career, was obsessed with the limitations of stereo sound, and was advancing his trinaural concept to combat that. I never had a chance to audition them but his influence and genius were widely known. I had a pair of his VMPS towers and was impressed with them.

So, who is to say that stereo is the only way to make a great soundstage? The first time I heard a Play:1 was in a customer's office, and it completely surprised me. Very clean, effortless sound. Why couldn't the HomePod, designed by audio people at the world's largest and most resourceful company, duplicate and extend that experience? There are already systems that produce extremely localized, high quality sound by using colliding beam-formed soundwaves directed right at a single listener, while leaving nearby people oblivious to the sound. Who can say one day we won't have a simple source the size of a wall thermostat that fills a room with the precise sound and reflections as if you had a band playing in the corner?

I may try the HomePod out myself, as long as I can run it without being connected to the net. There's still the matter of those ever-present microphones...

Interesting view, certainly something to consider. I haven't experimented with anything like that, will try and have a listen to the Play:1 sometime.

 

[You are the One]

I just don't feel comforted with the facade of end to end encryption, and Apple not listening until after Hey Siri prompts. End to end encryption really doesn't matter if the ends, or endpoints (the device) themselves are cracked, backdoored, or otherwise exposed be it by hackers, govt agencies, foreign govt agencies, etc. end to end just prevents spying in transit... Call it paranoia, I call it being practical in light of the tech climate of 2017. We're being spied on. The more microphones and cameras, the more equipment and means to collect more data.

Dmitri Alperovitch, with Russian heritage, founder of CrowdStrike and the super favourite it-sec guy of Obama, the DNC, Hillary and most of the intel organisations in the US says:

“If someone steals your keys to encrypt the data, it doesn’t matter how secure the algorithms are.”

Alperovitch is obviously a crook and the main reason he is so popular is that he gives organised crime the political free pass they need to run their racket.

The point here is that anything that contain a processor can be hacked. What is comes down to in practical life is who do you trust to protect your information. At the moment there are plenty of reasons to not trust that neither the governmental establishment nor the commercial follow the laws that are there to regulate their activities.

At the individual level this may or may not be a problem, at the societal level this is an enormous problem. Illegal intelligence gathering gave e.g. the DNC the information to double register (in different districts) voters likely favourable of Sanders with the effect that those votes were cancelled.

So yes, you concern is very much valid. On the other hand, people give away way too much information about themselves on social networks. So much so that listening in to them is not much required in order to profile them in detail. The cause for this is gullibility and ignorance, the sheep trust the wolf. Not a good idea.

This speaker would be closed end, there would be no way to really hack into it physically.

See above.

Having said that, I use Mac OS and since I have more (much more) trust in them having a higher standard of security and privacy than any comparable commercial available alternative.

I believe a very big problem is that intelligence organisations are free to do whatever they like without proper oversight, not only in the US. And they do lots of very shady stuff that directly influences politics, both in the US and in mostly every other nation in the world.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

349$ for a spinoff Alexa spy device?

Im already "blown away" by keeping 349$ in my pocket without ANY hesitation.

Mrs. thequik and I were shopping for houses this last week, and were warned by the real estate agent not to talk too much. Occasionally, there would be some ambient music playing in the house, and we'd see the Amazon speaker.

"Alexa, play some Iron Maiden..."
(and we'd giggle as we left...)

 

[WatchFromAfar]

these (horribly named) HomePods

They're called HomePods because they control HomeKit devices. HomeHub would have been better but British Telecom in the UK have been selling a HomeHub router product for years now.

 

[BlueCreek]

It will most likely stream music from iTunes, so requiring internet. I still don't get this, do you not have a smart phone?

It sounds like he doesn't want to be spied on with regards to being connected to the net with the 'always on' microphones.

Even though Tim said in the keynote that it's all encrypted and anonymous...

 

[stanman64]

The Apple boys love to use superlatives such as 'unbelievable, amazing, and incredible' when pumping new products but you can't change the law of physics when pushing air through a small speaker.(s)
I find this product intriguing, but the killer for me is Apple's walled garden in respect to streaming music. If I can't stream my choice of music services (Spotify or Google Music) and only Apple Music, $349 seems like a hell of a lot of money for what's included.

I highly doubt that is going to happen. It will have bluetooth functionality in addition to AirPlay 2. It's just common sense.

 

[Boatboy24]

Think more of Echo + Sonos...and this prices isn't bad.

Admittedly, I didn't watch the keynote. But I haven't read a single thing about multi-room capability with the HomePod. Is that a stated capability that I've missed?
[doublepost=1496753116][/doublepost]

​

"I think people are going to love it. I know they are," said Cook. "I think they're going to be blown away by the experience."



"Blow People Away"? So it's a Home Defense Device?

Hey, keep the gun control discussion over in the politics forum.

 

[KiwiAdventure]

None of you people know a thing about the speaker other than cost and yet again you all want something for nothing.
Sonos sound sucks big time as it has no depth to its sound.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

My thought here is that "suck every last dollar from the customer" TC missed an opportunity to entice more people into the entire Apple HomeKit ecosystem.

The speaker may be fantastic but the price is only sustainable if you live in studio apt. and only need one. Apple should have sold these as bundles like a mesh wifi system depending on the number of rooms you need them in. Additionally different models like Amazon sells because you don't use every room the same. A portable model would be fantastic. Then price it closer to Echo just to get sales and lock people into HomeKit and other Apple hardware.

As-is I'll skip because one speaker does me no good. It's like a car with one tire.
[doublepost=1496754620][/doublepost]

None of you people know a thing about the speaker other than cost and yet again you all want something for nothing.
Sonos sound sucks big time as it has no depth to its sound.

I assure the Apple speaker is not comparable to anything B&W makes or even PSB. It's not an audiophile speaker. It's a consumer grade gadget. Not terrible, not laudable either. Let's not pretend it's something it's not.
[doublepost=1496754809][/doublepost]

They're called HomePods because they control HomeKit devices. HomeHub would have been better but British Telecom in the UK have been selling a HomeHub router product for years now.

Well Google "homepod." It's hardly an original name. Personally I think it's a bit contrived. I expect something catchier from Apple honestly.

 

[thewolfro]

If only it would not run SiRi. Can't stand siri and apparently siri can't (under)stand me so i stick with my echo.

 

[AustinIllini]

Admittedly, I didn't watch the keynote. But I haven't read a single thing about multi-room capability with the HomePod. Is that a stated capability that I've missed?

Apparently Airplay 2 supports multi-room, but I'm not really sure how it's better.

 

[Plutonius]

I'm sorry but lately, I don't believe anything that Tim Cook says.

 

[Pbrutto]

Have to double disagree. Whilst they may be very good speakers, for me to be "blown away" they’d have to be able to fool me into thinking there is an 12” sub hidden in there. These blockheads at Apple have taken it too far with superlatives.
My Mac Pro is great. Am I blown away? No. My iPhone7 is great. Am I blown away? No.

EDIT: Just read the article again, I have to give Tim a pass. He said "blown away by the experience", not "blown away by the sound”.
[doublepost=1496734444][/doublepost]
Great product but not Hi Fi. Perfection? Flawless? Eh?
You obviously don't like low lows as far as bass in concerned.

I could see them saying "you will be blown away!" In the context that you will be surprised about how good this little marshmallow sounds. That is really the only context that statement would make sense in though. Being blown away by the sound, to me, means sitting in front of a 9.1 system with the best speakers while a tie fighter flys by on the tv and my neighbor runs across the street with his lightsaber because he was sure he heard Darth Vader from 3 blocks away.

I will say, if I get one it is highly unlikely I will get another. However, I am curious if they can compete with good speakers if you have 2 in the same room. Great sound requires you to be in a sweet spot in the room. Place 2 of these (or 4) in the same room and perhaps you can be anywhere in the room and get truly great sound. We just won't know till December (or knowing Apple they will have 2 available on Dec. 31 and we won't get our hands on them till March...)

 

[kdarling]

The speaker may be fantastic but the price is only sustainable if you live in studio apt. and only need one.

That was my exact first thought as well. It's as if a single guy with no family (and no stereo system yet) designed it.

OTOH, it's affordable to place a Dot in nearly every room. And they're fairly portable. Heck, some of our friends' teen kids each have their own Dot that they take on beach vacations to use in their own beach house room.

 

[AustinIllini]

That was my exact first thought as well. It's as if a single guy with no family (and no stereo system yet) designed it.

OTOH, it's affordable to place a Dot in nearly every room. And they're fairly portable. Heck, some of our friends' teen kids each have their own Dot that they take on beach vacations to use in their own beach house room.

Not to mention HomePod doesn't appear to work with any other home music options, so any of your existing hardware is pretty much DOA

 

[gnasher729]

I'm blown away by the price to be honest.

I was in for $249.

$349 is just ridiculous

It's ridiculous to say you would pay it for $249 but not $349, when you've never even heard the thing in real life. It could be rubbish for $249, or it could be a bargain for $349. Until you've heard it, it's nonsense to comment like this.
[doublepost=1496760588][/doublepost]

I'm skeptical of the whole concept of heavily processed music reproduction. Amplifiers from companies like Yamaha and Onkyo have had DSP-driven soundfield processing for many years. I never use these features because I prefer a natural sound with as little processing as possible. It's hard for me to imagine that one tiny speaker can compete with a good Hifi setup.

True, but you are not going to get a good HiFi setup for $349.
[doublepost=1496760699][/doublepost]

Apparently Airplay 2 supports multi-room, but I'm not really sure how it's better.

Airplay 1 can connect to any of your speakers, but only one at a time. Living room, bed room, kitchen, but only one at a time. Airplay 2 can connect to speakers in two rooms at the same time. Now if it automatically connected to the speakers closest to you, that would be nice.

 

[Rocketman]

The price is irrelevant. The features and capabilities are the ONLY point. WWDC will shape this brick into magic.

Listen. It is a new UI.

 

[gnasher729]

Admittedly, I didn't watch the keynote. But I haven't read a single thing about multi-room capability with the HomePod. Is that a stated capability that I've missed?

Airplay 2 can connect to multiple speakers. So you can put Airplay compatible speakers into a dozen rooms. And any number of them could be Homepods.
[doublepost=1496761362][/doublepost]

Man in the middle. Pretend to be an Apple server.

If you're that concerned about possible constant listening by a hacked device, then buy Amazon.

They deliberately put in a hardware microphone disable buton on the top of the Echo and Dot, just for people like you. No amount of remote hacking can turn it on.

Of course, that means you have to touch it to let it listen, which removes half the fun. But that might be worth it to you.

I would assume that things like software updates would be done the same way as on an iPhone, pretty much impossible to break in unless you send the army to Apple's headquarters. And Apple has hardware that specifically listens for "Hey Siri" and nothing else, and no signal leaves the microphones unless they hear that signal. Ok, sneak into someone's home, install a little speaker that can say "Hey Siri", and you're fine (I wonder if that would work). But then you may just as well sneak into someone's home and install your own microphone.
[doublepost=1496761518][/doublepost]

Intriguing question: If you had one upstairs & one downstairs & you said "Hey, Siri...', would both react? Or just the one in the room?

If could you make it say: "Siri, Intercom on." to ask the person downstairs to bring some toast upstairs (ending w/: "Siri, Intercom off."), you could have an intercom system.

Excellent idea. I suppose you mean "intercom on" doesn't turn your home intercom on, but starts sending one HomePods microphone input to the other HomePods speakers. Should be usable as a sound recorder as well.

 

[drewyboy]

Why? The Libratone Zipp is 299. This thing seems to have better audio and works with Siri.

Works with Siri is actually kind of a non-sell point for me because Siri usually doesn't work. Majority of my requests end up going to google anyways. What good is an "assistant" if all she does is google things for you?

 

[gnasher729]

Steve didn't believe in the App Store either.

Says who? Apple released the iPhone when they didn't have development tools that they could give to third parties. As soon as that changed, the App Store was there.