The sound is there. The looks are there. The I/O is not. Apple could have easily increased the appeal of the HomePod with decent I/O. This is an ecosystem lock-in device. With decent I/O it could have been a Services device.
While it’s still kind of a hack, running AirChord, which will run on any iOS device that supports iOS 10 or later, allows you to turn any device with an audio output into an AirPlay server you can play back on a HomePod (or anything else that supports AirPlay or Bluetooth playback).
I got mine for $249. Apple is making a profit. Stores are not going to sell them at a loss. B&G sells them once in a while for $249 with no tax in most states. Now that's a good deal and what they should normally sell at. I got my 2nd one at Target, again for $249, plus tax.
So I think they are worth it at $249. They seem to sell like crazy at that price point. With 2 of them in a Sterno Pair, they are even louder. You can clearly hear the stereo separation. It's even easier to setup now then before. I got one, and then 6 months later got my second one. So I didn't spend all this money all at once.
Siri Voice control for Apple Music is fantastic. Siri on the Homepod in general is quite good. I do compare them with my Google Mini and Amazon Dot, now 3rd Generation. Apple Music is the Default on my Amazon Dot. Works just like on the Homepod but I'm saying Alexa instead of Siri. The 3rd generation Dot sounds much better than the Second Generation Dot I have. No where near a Homepod sound wise, but the new one sound OK. On par with my Google Mini. The Second generation Dot has this cheap plastic sound to it. Music is really BAD on it. It's ok for voice. 3rd Generation, much better!!! I pay $30 for these things during the Christmas season. So why not. That way I can compare them all on my own. I am a mostly Homekit House.
The sound is there. The looks are there. The I/O is not. Apple could have easily increased the appeal of the HomePod with decent I/O. This is an ecosystem lock-in device. With decent I/O it could have been a Services device.
This is the main problem.
Well-said.
I used my Apple TV as other I/O, fortunately my other sound players are Apples....my Bose are now parking in the garage:-((
What you're doing probably works fine for you, but it's the opposite of what I'm talking about. I'm talking about a device that increases Apple's Services reach beyond Apple's current ecosystem. The thing that Apple is trying to do now. A HomePod with decent I/O could work with an ATV, an iPhone, or a Mac. But it could also work with devices outside of Apple's manufacture, thus increasing the possible audience for purchase. As I said, right now it's basically a lock-in device and your use case example only bolsters my point.
Oh No, yet another AI article on promoting the false propaganda of price cuts by Apple!!! An DED article attacking AI is overdue now.
Some of the other Contributing Editors for AI come across to me as have a negative Apple slant. One that is echoed in other articles. Mac rumors many times posts the same information but the headlines, tone, and focus can be completely different, depending on the author. It’s been that way for a few years. I appreciate DED’s dedication to highlighting the inaccuracies and sometimes all out deceptive narrative of analysis and some journalists when it comes to Apple.
I'm not sure how this article has a "negative Apple slant?"
Oh No, yet another AI article on promoting the false propaganda of price cuts by Apple!!! An DED article attacking AI is overdue now.
Some of the other Contributing Editors for AI come across to me as have a negative Apple slant. One that is echoed in other articles. Mac rumors many times posts the same information but the headlines, tone, and focus can be completely different, depending on the author. It’s been that way for a few years. I appreciate DED’s dedication to highlighting the inaccuracies and sometimes all out deceptive narrative of analysis and some journalists when it comes to Apple.
I'm not sure how this article has a "negative Apple slant?"
Well, it claims Apple is cutting prices, something they'd obviously never do. Race to the bottom, you know?
This is what it should have been priced at all along. People who prefer superior sound quality were never buying HomePod anyway. It would never replace my soundbar with subwoofer. And the Bose soundlink mini I have is great because it doesn’t have to be connected to power to use. No it’s not a smart speaker but then Apple wasn’t really marketing HomePod as one either.
I compared the HomePod (one, at the time) to the Sonos Beam. HP sounded better, both music and movies. I did AB blind tests with my SO and had the same results. Returned the Beam, and later bought a second HP.
I had an Anthony Gallo 5.1 set up before, the speakers alone were over a grand on sale. Wasn’t worth the hassle any longer, sold my gear. Simplicity is what I want in life now, and the HPs do it best for me...great sound, small package.
This is what it should have been priced at all along. People who prefer superior sound quality were never buying HomePod anyway. It would never replace my soundbar with subwoofer. And the Bose soundlink mini I have is great because it doesn’t have to be connected to power to use. No it’s not a smart speaker but then Apple wasn’t really marketing HomePod as one either.
I had an Anthony Gallo 5.1 set up before, the speakers alone were over a grand on sale. Wasn’t worth the hassle any longer, sold my gear. Simplicity is what I want in life now, and the HPs do it best for me...great sound, small package.
Ahhh I once dreamt of having some Anthony Gallo spheres dangling around. You are so correct, people no longer want to run wires all over the home and fiddle with receiver settings. If I do a dedicated Theatre room then I'll put in the work but for other rooms I too like simplicity
Looks like the drop here is about A$30. Does that mean they sold better in Australia than in the US? After all, the A$ is up against the US$ at the moment, so that can't be it.
While it’s still kind of a hack, running AirChord, which will run on any iOS device that supports iOS 10 or later, allows you to turn any device with an audio output into an AirPlay server you can play back on a HomePod (or anything else that supports AirPlay or Bluetooth playback).
That's cool, but it seems silly you can't input a TV audio signal (or any other "AUX" type signal). "Silly" enough to be a deal breaker for the price by me...
Comments
So I think they are worth it at $249. They seem to sell like crazy at that price point. With 2 of them in a Sterno Pair, they are even louder. You can clearly hear the stereo separation. It's even easier to setup now then before. I got one, and then 6 months later got my second one. So I didn't spend all this money all at once.
Siri Voice control for Apple Music is fantastic. Siri on the Homepod in general is quite good. I do compare them with my Google Mini and Amazon Dot, now 3rd Generation. Apple Music is the Default on my Amazon Dot. Works just like on the Homepod but I'm saying Alexa instead of Siri. The 3rd generation Dot sounds much better than the Second Generation Dot I have. No where near a Homepod sound wise, but the new one sound OK. On par with my Google Mini. The Second generation Dot has this cheap plastic sound to it. Music is really BAD on it. It's ok for voice. 3rd Generation, much better!!! I pay $30 for these things during the Christmas season. So why not. That way I can compare them all on my own. I am a mostly Homekit House.
/s
I had an Anthony Gallo 5.1 set up before, the speakers alone were over a grand on sale. Wasn’t worth the hassle any longer, sold my gear. Simplicity is what I want in life now, and the HPs do it best for me...great sound, small package.
Looks like the drop here is about A$30. Does that mean they sold better in Australia than in the US? After all, the A$ is up against the US$ at the moment, so that can't be it.