In the Apple Store it sounds like an off brand boom box. If you want to pay $350 for something that sounds like a $100 Wal-Mart Bluetooth speaker, feel free.
Don’t forget that the $350 speaker costs $275 to repair out of warranty, so be sure to put out some more $ for the extended warranty.
Pass. I smell a flop. At least the old Spple HiFi was stereo.
I agree, in the shop it is nothing special. But trust me, take it home for a week. It really is nice to listen to. And the convenience of just being able to tell it what to play is not bad either. I took it home with the specific intention to return it (I even told the sales guy at the Apple shop). But I like it so much, I am definitely keeping it. It is NOT for audiophiles, it is NOT a replacement for proper speakers and the sound is not full enough for a living room, but it is perfect for a a snug, office, or bedroom. (Not sure about the kitchen, I use Alexa there because the convenience of ordering my food by talking to it beats the audio quality of the HomePod).
I've never used a Google or Amazon smart speaker (I have no need for what they offer) -- how do they handle requests for names like: Estrellita or La Paloma by Julio Iglesias?
I tried playing a German song a few days ago on Alexa. At first it did not understand me, then I said "play the German song blah blah" and it understood. Haven;t tried it with Siri yet. I am wondering, though, how Siri interacts with Germans (ie Siri language set to German) that request to play English music titles (possibly pronounced with a German accent). Does it work?
Siri vomits on Bie Mir Bist Du Schoen...
Me: Siri, Das ist Scheiße Spelling the name or prefixing with the request with German song -- did not help. Also, no success setting up Siri to speak German.
I have been sitting on the fence over HomePod. It is possible l may be biased as l have a 7 speaker Sonos system that l love, but so far Apple has not convinced me.
Apple advertise HomePod as a powerful speaker with amazing sound that can adapt to its location and a music authority with an intelligent home assistant, capable of handling everyday tasks and controlling your smart home.
It seems the general views are HomePod sounds really good but the Siri Intelligent system falls short compared with other smart speakers. The thing is, however great the sound is, it is being marketed as an intelligent speaker yet it seems Siri is not good enough. This could have effected sales. The question is, will Apple improve Siri any time soon?
So you have a 7 speaker Sonos non smart set up, and Siri functionality is why you can't bring yourself to buy a homepod? I can't take these comments today.. sheesh.
I have a pair of M-Audio AV-40s hooked up to my U-turn turntable, and it sounds wonderful, but i don't pretend that it is a setup that has the same audience as a pint sized device that is smaller than one of my speakers, let alone a set of speakers & receiver/amp.
As we all know, size is one of those elements that affects price.
My reasons for not jumping on it have more to do with the "connectivity"... i do not want my locks, lights, outlets, refrigerator, etc wired to the internet.
Hate to ask it this way, but how do the AV-40s specs come pare to the HomePod specs? I know, I know -- it's how it sounds that counts.
Which model of U-turn turntable do you have?
I have an Audio-Technica AT-120LP-USB turntable that connects to the iMac (my iTunes library that thousands of songs, albums and playlists). I can run the AirFoil App on the iMac and get an ersatz stereo effect with any sounds available on the Mac -- including records on the turntable...
Sounds great with the turntable as input... but Siri commands like pause/resume next track don't work
Lately, I've been using a setup where both HomePods are playing the same vanilla (no EQ) synched output... I can't describe it, it sounds/feels great with no particular sweet spot -- and a different kind of presence that I've never felt before.
I was lukewarm to the whole smart speaker concept. Just could never see myself using one, thought to be fair I rarely use Siri on my iPhone. Subsequent to some excellent customer service my wife and I received at an Apple Store, I just made an impulse purchase and picked up a HomePod. I could not be more pleased with the product. The sound is incredible. I have had a rather profound hearing deficit in one ear since birth, the separation of channels is done so well it allows me to hear intricacies in my favorite albums that I did know were there despite having listen to them thousands of times over the years in a multitude of different environments of varying qualities. This may not be the case for people who do not hearing related issues, but for me it raised my experience with music as a whole.
Even if it is starting off as a slow seller, it will snowball from word of mouth. After listening to a few albums I am no resolved to purchase a second once stereo is enabled.
I have been sitting on the fence over HomePod. It is possible l may be biased as l have a 7 speaker Sonos system that l love, but so far Apple has not convinced me.
Apple advertise HomePod as a powerful speaker with amazing sound that can adapt to its location and a music authority with an intelligent home assistant, capable of handling everyday tasks and controlling your smart home.
It seems the general views are HomePod sounds really good but the Siri Intelligent system falls short compared with other smart speakers. The thing is, however great the sound is, it is being marketed as an intelligent speaker yet it seems Siri is not good enough. This could have effected sales. The question is, will Apple improve Siri any time soon?
So you have a 7 speaker Sonos non smart set up, and Siri functionality is why you can't bring yourself to buy a homepod? I can't take these comments today.. sheesh.
All I want is all there is and then some! Or, Nawlins' style: Too much is never enough!
It's a great sounding speaker... and Siri does well enough that you can enjoy the music, period!
Man, surprising news - considering people can get the equivalent of a $50,000 audiophile system for $350 - plus the added bonus of a smart system (according to the usual AI fanboys). Meanwhile, back in reality - I think there are a few barriers: - Privacy. Not a lot of people want an 'always listening' device. - Competition. There are better 'smart' systems out there. - Sound Quality. It's good for a smart speaker - but audiophiles don't buy toys to listen to audio. If sound quality is your main priority - a smart speaker isn't on your radar. - Limitations. No Spotify or 3rd party native support. Extremely limited connection capabilities. - Requires Apple Music Subscription to take advantage of 'smart' functionality.
But it sure fills a hallway with good sound...
Have you ever personally tried a HomePod?
- Privacy: Siri encrypts and anonymizes all communication between the HomePod and apple servers
- Competition: name a better sounding speaker at that price -- dumb or smart
- Sound Quality: there is a market for speakers between audio crap and so-called audiophiles
- Limitations: you can airplay any audio source to the HomePod
-- Requires Apple Music Subscription: Wrong -- I have 2 HomePods and, no Apple Music Subscription -- Siri plays, music from my iTunes library just fine -- all currently implemented features.
However, Siri has trouble identifying Spanish names like: Estrellita... Though you you can spell out the name and Siri will respond.
I've never used a Google or Amazon smart speaker (I have no need for what they offer) -- how do they handle requests for names like: Estrellita or La Paloma by Julio Iglesias?
Can you say: "Hey Siri, play my Workout channel on Spotify"?
No. You can't. Not without first telling your iPhone or iPad to play it and then selecting the HomePod as the playback device.
Compare that to the Echo which WILL play back my workout channel from Spotify.
For $350, I expect more than just a great speaker...though I have no doubt that the speaker is fantastic. I want something that--at least from a feature standpoint--competes with the other smart speakers on the market. The HomePod just doesn't.
That doesn't make it a bad speaker, it just means the potential market is a bit smaller. Most people can't tell the difference between 128Kbps encoded audio and VBR encoded audio. Do you really think they'll be able to tell the difference between the HomePod and something like the Echo? The vast majority will not.
Can you say echo play my running APPLE MUSIC playlist. NO you cant!!! So just don't buy that product.
Can you say: "Hey Siri, play my Workout channel on Spotify"?
No. You can't. Not without first telling your iPhone or iPad to play it and then selecting the HomePod as the playback device.
Compare that to the Echo which WILL play back my workout channel from Spotify.
For $350, I expect more than just a great speaker...though I have no doubt that the speaker is fantastic. I want something that--at least from a feature standpoint--competes with the other smart speakers on the market. The HomePod just doesn't.
That doesn't make it a bad speaker, it just means the potential market is a bit smaller. Most people can't tell the difference between 128Kbps encoded audio and VBR encoded audio. Do you really think they'll be able to tell the difference between the HomePod and something like the Echo? The vast majority will not.
Can you say echo play my running APPLE MUSIC playlist. NO you cant!!! So just don't buy that product.
This goes right back to what I and many others have said about the HomePod: It's decent if you live solely in the Apple ecosystem. I don't. My music comes from Spotify, Slacker or Amazon Prime Music depending upon my mood.
I'm sure it sounds terrific, but who cares if I have to go through some Rube Goldberg device to get my music from my iPhone/iPad to my HomePod?
> It's a shame if this is true, because the HomePod does sound amazing
Sure, but my Yamaha stereo with two nice Mirage speakers sounds better. And that setup cost the same as a Home Pod.
It's just too expensive. This is an accessory, it can't cost as much as a full-blown iPad. And everyone knows it.
If you can't do it $199, don't do it. It's not like someone was forcing them to sell one.
Can you tell your Yamaha stereo to turn off the lights, lock the door or close the garage? Can you tell it to play a song list or answer some trivia questions? Can you tell it "good night" and your bedroom light dimmed down and bedtime music started? I guess not.
Perhaps not, but all he has to do is add a $50 Echo Dot ($30 on sale) and he can. And, frankly, it will work much better than Siri.
So, you build individual components and compare them to all-in-one device? What kind of joke is this? It's like: having a cheap Dell laptop + a feature phone + Cable Internet Service together compare to iPhone? lol. BTW, Alexa ain't work better than Siri for above tasks. Stop spewing bullshit. It may be better with music streaming multi service compatibility and some trivia, weather questions, not Smart Home. I have both configured in my house to control smart devices and Siri blows Alexa away. Alexa drops out connection a lot with Philips Hue and Wemo plugs while works like crap with Ecobee Thermostat. When you try both systems, I'll take your comments more seriously.
Man, surprising news - considering people can get the equivalent of a $50,000 audiophile system for $350 - plus the added bonus of a smart system (according to the usual AI fanboys). Meanwhile, back in reality - I think there are a few barriers: - Privacy. Not a lot of people want an 'always listening' device. - Competition. There are better 'smart' systems out there. - Sound Quality. It's good for a smart speaker - but audiophiles don't buy toys to listen to audio. If sound quality is your main priority - a smart speaker isn't on your radar. - Limitations. No Spotify or 3rd party native support. Extremely limited connection capabilities. - Requires Apple Music Subscription to take advantage of 'smart' functionality.
But it sure fills a hallway with good sound...
I've never used a Google or Amazon smart speaker (I have no need for what they offer) -- how do they handle requests for names like: Estrellita or La Paloma by Julio Iglesias?
I said "play Estrellita" in my best Southern accent and yes Google understood first time and played the correct song as far as I know. Is it by Jasha Heifetz from an old Grammaphone recording?
Man, surprising news - considering people can get the equivalent of a $50,000 audiophile system for $350 - plus the added bonus of a smart system (according to the usual AI fanboys). Meanwhile, back in reality - I think there are a few barriers: - Privacy. Not a lot of people want an 'always listening' device. - Competition. There are better 'smart' systems out there. - Sound Quality. It's good for a smart speaker - but audiophiles don't buy toys to listen to audio. If sound quality is your main priority - a smart speaker isn't on your radar. - Limitations. No Spotify or 3rd party native support. Extremely limited connection capabilities. - Requires Apple Music Subscription to take advantage of 'smart' functionality.
But it sure fills a hallway with good sound...
Utter nonsense... ...- Competition: wrong again. As said over and over, the main focus is on audio quality and that is where Apple nailed it. The others are the equivalent of AM radios of the past. - Sound Quality: wrong again. Audiophile reviews give it the highest praise for sound quality, competing with exponentially more expensive speakers. - Limitations: Spotify or third party support. Seriously? You can do that through your iPhone or other Apple devices that support AirPlay. And no telling what Apple has in store for the future. - Airplay also solves your last point.
Ummm.... Google Play Max or Sonos 1 pretty much covers all those bases and far fewer limitations. That does not mean HomePod isn't selling great however. I would certainly expect that it's already outsold the Home Max even tho it had a two month lead on the HomePod.
Siri is actually better at listening and responding on my HomePod than any other Apple device. That fact gets ignored by those whose only metric is an assistant’s ability to provide arcane facts from the internet. HomePod is not a voice UI computer replacement. It has a more limited scope—for now. It’s value is in its ability to do “Home” work, just like its name implies. The more home devices you have (thermostats, doorbells, cameras, lights, etc.) the better it is. Yes, Siri is less robust than Google in some things, and can be maddeningly frustrating sometimes. But the others are not immune from these same frustrations; it’s a matter of degree. And there are good reasons for this differential—privacy foremost among them. The “Siri is lame” meme has become a tiresome substitute for diligent journalism.
[My comment was not aimed at the author of this piece]
Sincere question - can it control my Roomba? Because that's the only automation I have.
I've never used a Google or Amazon smart speaker (I have no need for what they offer) -- how do they handle requests for names like: Estrellita or La Paloma by Julio Iglesias?
I tried playing a German song a few days ago on Alexa. At first it did not understand me, then I said "play the German song blah blah" and it understood. Haven;t tried it with Siri yet. I am wondering, though, how Siri interacts with Germans (ie Siri language set to German) that request to play English music titles (possibly pronounced with a German accent). Does it work?
Siri vomits on Bie Mir Bist Du Schoen...
Me: Siri, Das ist Scheiße Spelling the name or prefixing with the request with German song -- did not help. Also, no success setting up Siri to speak German.
I have no idea how that German name is pronounced so I just made a Southern guess at it and "hey Google" got a song by that name sung by Ella Fitzgerald. First time too. Even I didn't know how well Google understood very poor American pronunciations of foreign words. Color me impressed!
In the Apple Store it sounds like an off brand boom box. If you want to pay $350 for something that sounds like a $100 Wal-Mart Bluetooth speaker, feel free.
Don’t forget that the $350 speaker costs $275 to repair out of warranty, so be sure to put out some more $ for the extended warranty.
Pass. I smell a flop. At least the old Spple HiFi was stereo.
What a shitty troll post. Sounds like a "$100 Walmart bluetooth speaker"? Says who? You? Because you listened to it for a few seconds in a crowded fucking Apple store? Pretty much everyone who has one has claimed it sounds absolutely incredible, even blowing away audiophiles. So enough with you garbage. I'll never understand people who literally fantasize about Apple products flopping (like you) as if it makes them hard.
Man, surprising news - considering people can get the equivalent of a $50,000 audiophile system for $350 - plus the added bonus of a smart system (according to the usual AI fanboys). Meanwhile, back in reality - I think there are a few barriers: - Privacy. Not a lot of people want an 'always listening' device. - Competition. There are better 'smart' systems out there. - Sound Quality. It's good for a smart speaker - but audiophiles don't buy toys to listen to audio. If sound quality is your main priority - a smart speaker isn't on your radar. - Limitations. No Spotify or 3rd party native support. Extremely limited connection capabilities. - Requires Apple Music Subscription to take advantage of 'smart' functionality.
But it sure fills a hallway with good sound...
As usual your post is full of factually incorrect bullshit.
AirPlay is a very popular connection capable, AP wifi speakers are a product category of their own and have been for years. And none of them even “do” anything. Mine was $300 and sounds like crap compared to HP.
Apple Music is absolutely, unequivocally not required to take advantage of the smart (siri) functionality, or even music voice controls.
Native support for voice control of Spotify is a joke requirement. Flip it over — does Echo offer native voice control of my iCloud Music Library? Or Apple Music? nope, and nope. Yet it’s not s big deal because one can still use app’s to control playback. Same thing here.
Idk, voice assistance stuff is still very young. The worry of so many about homepod bc of siri seems over the top. It will be a ‘problem’ until it is not.
How many people use siri? Let alone ask siri to for niche things?
My wife never uses Siri other than for setting a timer and that is bc I showed her how. Otherwise it would never get used. This is not bc of siri functionality, she just doesnt use it.
My parents never use siri. I just asked both my brothers and neither uses Siri.
I use siri to message/play music while driving and homekit/timer commands at home. Works fine for simple things.
This isnt to say Siri shouldnt be better just that this is still a very new market and Apple has time to adapt/pivot Siri into its own platform, in which the Homepod (and other Apple devices) can be updated to in the future.
I have been sitting on the fence over HomePod. It is possible l may be biased as l have a 7 speaker Sonos system that l love, but so far Apple has not convinced me.
Apple advertise HomePod as a powerful speaker with amazing sound that can adapt to its location and a music authority with an intelligent home assistant, capable of handling everyday tasks and controlling your smart home.
It seems the general views are HomePod sounds really good but the Siri Intelligent system falls short compared with other smart speakers. The thing is, however great the sound is, it is being marketed as an intelligent speaker yet it seems Siri is not good enough. This could have effected sales. The question is, will Apple improve Siri any time soon?
No it's not marketing mostly as such, so you start up with a lie.
You should show respect for other people’s views. I have based the comment only on Apples own words on their website. Perhaps it would be helpful for you to read them.
Comments
Which model of U-turn turntable do you have?
I have an Audio-Technica AT-120LP-USB turntable that connects to the iMac (my iTunes library that thousands of songs, albums and playlists). I can run the AirFoil App on the iMac and get an ersatz stereo effect with any sounds available on the Mac -- including records on the turntable...
Sounds great with the turntable as input... but Siri commands like pause/resume next track don't work
Lately, I've been using a setup where both HomePods are playing the same vanilla (no EQ) synched output... I can't describe it, it sounds/feels great with no particular sweet spot -- and a different kind of presence that I've never felt before.
Even if it is starting off as a slow seller, it will snowball from word of mouth. After listening to a few albums I am no resolved to purchase a second once stereo is enabled.
I don't speak or understand German well enough interact with Siri in German... just picked some words & phrases from my German/Dutch grandparents.
It's a great sounding speaker... and Siri does well enough that you can enjoy the music, period!
I'm sure it sounds terrific, but who cares if I have to go through some Rube Goldberg device to get my music from my iPhone/iPad to my HomePod?
BTW, Alexa ain't work better than Siri for above tasks. Stop spewing bullshit. It may be better with music streaming multi service compatibility and some trivia, weather questions, not Smart Home. I have both configured in my house to control smart devices and Siri blows Alexa away. Alexa drops out connection a lot with Philips Hue and Wemo plugs while works like crap with Ecobee Thermostat. When you try both systems, I'll take your comments more seriously.
Why doesn't it have full version of Siri?!?
Can't check my calendar?
Can't initiate a phone call?
Can't handle more than one user? (or is this designed only for single people?)
Yeah it sounds great, but even my little $40 Echo Dot can do all the above.
I can even do all these things from my Apple Watch!
Dear Apple, upgrade Siri on HomePod NOW, or it's a no go.
What a shitty troll post. Sounds like a "$100 Walmart bluetooth speaker"? Says who? You? Because you listened to it for a few seconds in a crowded fucking Apple store? Pretty much everyone who has one has claimed it sounds absolutely incredible, even blowing away audiophiles. So enough with you garbage. I'll never understand people who literally fantasize about Apple products flopping (like you) as if it makes them hard.
As usual your post is full of factually incorrect bullshit.
AirPlay is a very popular connection capable, AP wifi speakers are a product category of their own and have been for years. And none of them even “do” anything. Mine was $300 and sounds like crap compared to HP.
Apple Music is absolutely, unequivocally not required to take advantage of the smart (siri) functionality, or even music voice controls.
Native support for voice control of Spotify is a joke requirement. Flip it over — does Echo offer native voice control of my iCloud Music Library? Or Apple Music? nope, and nope. Yet it’s not s big deal because one can still use app’s to control playback. Same thing here.
How many people use siri? Let alone ask siri to for niche things?
My wife never uses Siri other than for setting a timer and that is bc I showed her how. Otherwise it would never get used. This is not bc of siri functionality, she just doesnt use it.
My parents never use siri. I just asked both my brothers and neither uses Siri.
I use siri to message/play music while driving and homekit/timer commands at home. Works fine for simple things.
This isnt to say Siri shouldnt be better just that this is still a very new market and Apple has time to adapt/pivot Siri into its own platform, in which the Homepod (and other Apple devices) can be updated to in the future.