Apple HomePod setup may require iPhone or iPad, allow multi-speaker sync
Even if it supports other Apple devices, people buying a HomePod will allegedly need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to complete initial setup.
Users will have to pair with a HomePod in a process similar to AirPods, according to iHelp BR, which examined code in the latest iOS 11 beta. It's believed that the speaker's Siri assistant may read out a four-digit authentication code.
People may also need the last four digits of their HomePod or iOS device's serial number, presumably in case of earlier failed setup attempts. Two-factor authentication and iCloud Keychain could be required to complete some steps in the pairing process, and indeed people will have to be on a WPA or WPA2 Wi-Fi network for setup to work in the first place.
Signing in with an Apple ID will sync a HomePod with iCloud and Apple Music. Configuration options should include setting a gender and accent for Siri, choosing manual or automatic updates through a nearby iOS device, and whether or not to send diagnostic data to Apple on a daily basis.
For people wealthy enough to afford multiple HomePods, there will reportedly be options to update and change settings across several devices at once.
A bit later after the original reveal, iOS developer Guilherme Rambo posted a video of what the setup process may look like.
Announced at June's Worldwide Developers Conference, the HomePod is due to ship in December for $349. That will make it far more expensive that rival smartspeakers by Amazon and Google, but Apple is placing an emphasis on higher-quality sound, as well as the ability to function as a HomeKit hub.
Users will have to pair with a HomePod in a process similar to AirPods, according to iHelp BR, which examined code in the latest iOS 11 beta. It's believed that the speaker's Siri assistant may read out a four-digit authentication code.
People may also need the last four digits of their HomePod or iOS device's serial number, presumably in case of earlier failed setup attempts. Two-factor authentication and iCloud Keychain could be required to complete some steps in the pairing process, and indeed people will have to be on a WPA or WPA2 Wi-Fi network for setup to work in the first place.
Signing in with an Apple ID will sync a HomePod with iCloud and Apple Music. Configuration options should include setting a gender and accent for Siri, choosing manual or automatic updates through a nearby iOS device, and whether or not to send diagnostic data to Apple on a daily basis.
For people wealthy enough to afford multiple HomePods, there will reportedly be options to update and change settings across several devices at once.
A bit later after the original reveal, iOS developer Guilherme Rambo posted a video of what the setup process may look like.
This is how the HomePod setup will look like on an iPhone. pic.twitter.com/SARqsYslL6
— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside)
Announced at June's Worldwide Developers Conference, the HomePod is due to ship in December for $349. That will make it far more expensive that rival smartspeakers by Amazon and Google, but Apple is placing an emphasis on higher-quality sound, as well as the ability to function as a HomeKit hub.
Comments
I hope this means playing the same music or listening to the same media on HomePods throughout the house, and changing the playback for all of them, if desired, from any of them.
I'm really looking forward to HP. I'll get two for two different rooms. But I'll try two none room to see how that sounds.
Jobs said he replaced his high-end audio gear after getting the HiFi. While it may have sounded as good or the same to him, it did not sound as good as any high-end gear I've ever heard. But managing expectations, it sounded pretty good.
I don't expect the HP to have audiophile level sound, but I expect that it will sound more than good enough for music listening and it'll have constant access to Siri. I don't use my Echo Dot much but I'm impressed at how well it hears me. It just doesn't work well for me.
Is this one reason why vinyl is experiencing a resurgence...?
Even as a shareholder I ask if we should opt out of corporate ears in the living room...
If the Echo/Alexa universe worked well for me, I'd just plug in some better powered speakers and save some money. But I want Siri access as easily as Alexa. The music fidelity aspect would still be satisfactory only for casual, impromptu listening.
I'm still unclear as to whether or not Siri will control my iTunes music library. I'll be watching the innertubes for objective evaluations once it starts shipping.