Apple confirms HomePod audio sources limited to Apple Music, iTunes purchases, podcasts & ...
In newly-published specifications, Apple has confirmed that streaming on the Siri-equipped HomePod -- shipping Feb. 9 -- will focus mainly on its own services.
The $349 device will foremost support Apple Music, Beats 1, and podcasts, purchases, and Match libraries from iTunes. The only way of streaming third-party media will be via AirPlay, even though the speaker incorporates Bluetooth 5.0.
iTunes Match compatibility was discovered earlier this week.
Since revealing the HomePod at last June's WWDC, Apple has made no bones about the product being Apple-centric, but until now it hadn't disclosed the full scope of functionality.
A lack of third-party music could be an obstacle for Apple in the smartspeaker market. Rival products from Amazon and Google not only support several services out of the box, but let users pick which one they want as default.
The company has geared much of its marketing around sound quality. Promotions have touted technologies like beamforming, and the use of dedicated amps for each of seven tweeters. In that sense the HomePod's main competition may be the $199 Sonos One and the $399 Google Home Max.
The $349 device will foremost support Apple Music, Beats 1, and podcasts, purchases, and Match libraries from iTunes. The only way of streaming third-party media will be via AirPlay, even though the speaker incorporates Bluetooth 5.0.
iTunes Match compatibility was discovered earlier this week.
Since revealing the HomePod at last June's WWDC, Apple has made no bones about the product being Apple-centric, but until now it hadn't disclosed the full scope of functionality.
A lack of third-party music could be an obstacle for Apple in the smartspeaker market. Rival products from Amazon and Google not only support several services out of the box, but let users pick which one they want as default.
The company has geared much of its marketing around sound quality. Promotions have touted technologies like beamforming, and the use of dedicated amps for each of seven tweeters. In that sense the HomePod's main competition may be the $199 Sonos One and the $399 Google Home Max.
Comments
Woldn't be surprised if it was announced at WWDC with implementation later in the year.
Next.
My sonos pals all use a Sonos app to send audio to their speakers. None of them have or expect a voice-only control interface. This was entirely a non-issue two weeks ago. But, Apple!
air play from your phone or ipad. it just does not direct streaming support.
An old fashion amp and speaker system can hanfle audio from old sources like tape and vynl while just as easily handling audio from modern sources, even multi media sources. In the end a buyer of this device is at risk of it becoming trash in a couple of years.
I dont want to sound like an Apple hater as i have plenty of Apple hardware right now. Ive just become very aware of how Apple "infrastructure" drains money from consumers. While it might be acceptable for some to throw so much of their income at one company im no longer convinced of the wisdom in doing so. At one time i thought iTunes with its movies and TV shows was a great resource, even here though my attitude has soured and as such a make a point to go with alternative cheaper sources when ever possible. Apples new speaker will need more openess than it currently has and a flexibility to work off the grid, before i consider it. By off the grid i mean with no internet connection to the wider world and handling the streams i want to send it.
2) Why can't you play anywhere without a 3.5mm headphone jack? It does have wireless options. Hell, the most common speakers I see at the beach these days are battery powered with BT.
3) If you know Apple has removed the 3.5mm jack from iPhones why would anyone think that they'd include one on the HomePod? It anything I'd think we should be counting down the clock to when other Apple devices get their 3.5mm jack removed.