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HomePod What's taking so long for HomePod v2?
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What’s AI got to do with HomePod 2 though? Is there even a need for a new revision yet? If they did release a new one I suspect it would only be smaller to make it cheaper. The A8 processor in the current model is more than up to the job for anything right now and the next couple of years I suspect.
Lack of sales of v1 I suppose.
And then again, what would you want of a second version, other than lower price and more colors?
And then again, what would you want of a second version, other than lower price and more colors?
What need is there for a v2?
Not every product has an annual release schedule; you know this, don’t you?
(And most that do, don’t need one.)
What? So long? It has one and a half year only. Don’t expect a refresh every year.
With the original disappointing in sales, and apparently being sold at a loss (I assume because sales undershot and they're including R&D being split between less units than expected) I wouldn't expect a V2 until they have squeezed every last sale they can out of this one (like how the iPod Touch is currently coasting along).
I don't think there will be a HomePod v2 anytime soon, at least keeping the same form factor. I do think there will be a "mini" version for smaller rooms / folks more price conscious.
The reason for the disappointing sales seems to be a combination of over pricing and lacking features.
I think it needs a battery and USB-C port for a start.
There is no way you'd release a product like this every year and piss off the customer base who's home speaker is now outdated. It's far different than a smart phone.
The slashes of retail prices would indicate a surplus of stock or at least a unexpected lack of movement out the doors.
They do it with all their products and its unlikely this will be an exception. The thing with Apple though is all updates are incremental. A version 2 will likely have something neat but nothing that will upset a version 1 owner. I've never been "blow away" by the next version of a product without there being a 3+ years between releases.
If a V2 is sold right next to a V1 it can even fuel V1 sales since many people sitting on the fence won't see the value in V2 making V1 price seem more reasonable. This leaves an option for people that want the latest and greatest too.
Now I'm not saying thats definitely the case because it will be more difficult than an iPhone and Watch but there is always room for new features and better sound. Consider, the HomePod sounds great especially for its size but its not the pinnacle of what is possible.
It’s an Apple product for other Apple products.
That being said, it does have Bluetooth 5.
I wasn't aware of that. Interesting. Well it hasn't received a significant software update since Airplay 2 so doubt anything is being developed.
That's interesting, however a killer detail is here.
"The only downside to Airfoil is that it can’t solve the AirPlay latency that is also present when streaming from a Mac to a HomePod. There is a noticeable 2-3 second delay between when the audio is output from your PC and when it is heard on the HomePod."
Being that I plan on using this primarily for VoIP calls through Skype, that would be a deal breaker. Maybe worth a shot though.
The other option is just to take all audio through my iPhone but the Skype for Business app is a little weird sometimes relaying PSTN calls to the phone and going through meetings via Webex it's just easier to use the PC connection. Unfortunately, dealing with external vendors means I use a mix of Skype, Webex, and Zoom to connect and I usually need screen share which means you have to deal with a Video on PC/Audio through Phone solution which can be messy.
Got 2 homepods. Pretty happy with them. I'm not sure what they'd do with a v2, it does the job just fine.
CPU speed increases and RAM upgrades are irrelevant; and i'm not sure there's been any magical advance in speaker or microphone tech in the past 2 years...
CPU speed increases and RAM upgrades are irrelevant; and i'm not sure there's been any magical advance in speaker or microphone tech in the past 2 years...
I agree. The only reason they would release a new model would be if it was a cheaper version IMO.
AppleTV is on a 3 year cycle. Like the AppleTV, HomePod's hardware doesn't need to be updated regularly. The HomePod's is more than perfect. Best sound in its size class, sensitive beam forming microphones that can pick up normal volume speech from across the room under playing music and a CPU with power to spare. There is plenty of room to grow in software in the same way as the AppleTV.
I think it's more likely that we'll see all of the Beats lineup adopt AirPlay 2 and probably Siri. You'll be able to get a Beats Pill for smaller rooms and to take outside.
I think it's more likely that we'll see all of the Beats lineup adopt AirPlay 2 and probably Siri. You'll be able to get a Beats Pill for smaller rooms and to take outside.
Eventually the cost of the resources, namely the A8 SoC will be too high to justify its implementation and require a product refresh or discontinuation.
Presumably they are working off of stock. Firing the fabs back up for A8 production which is a more costly 20nm process won't be worth it. However using a more modern SoC will if the product is still relevant. But to sell such a product it will need to have enhanced features and functions.
Presumably they are working off of stock. Firing the fabs back up for A8 production which is a more costly 20nm process won't be worth it. However using a more modern SoC will if the product is still relevant. But to sell such a product it will need to have enhanced features and functions.