jcs2305

KidGloves said:

Apple is selling the 256GB iPhone 8 for more than a 512GB Galaxy S10. There's your problem right there for Apple.
In a world where top-line Android phones are decent all-round machines, Apple is seen a being greedy. As a 30 year Apple user who has bought tens of thousands of pounds worth of Apple gear in that time, I'm getting totally fed up with the high prices and limited choice in each segment such as desktop Macs.
In the past, it was worth it as Windows was a nightmare world I didn't want to enter into. Now though Windows and Android have got to the point of being passable. I might just make the move.

davgreg said:

Apple really missed the boat with the toilet paper roll in fishnets- must be the same person who suggested the trashcan Mac Pro.

The Amazon Dot may have a tiny speaker but can be connected to a nice audio system of your choosing. Why listen to a crappy little Apple HomePod when you have serious money invested in an audio system?

I have a nice system set up in my home complete with Focal speakers and there is not a "smart speaker" at any price that will come near it in sound quality. I can easily add an Amazon Dot and make the thing a "smart speaker", but Apple chose not to give users that option.

I can already push music to that system via Bluetooth by having added an Audioengine BT module and connecting it with an optical audio link. I can stream music from my Apple TV, my Mac, my iPad Pro or my iPhone to that unit. That is a much more attractive option than the grossly overpriced HomePod.

The HomePod is a flop. Go into any Apple retail store and the least attended thing inside is that crappy little speaker. It is too expensive for teens and too cheesy and low quality for adults.

gatorguy said:

AppleExposed said:

There's no evidence that Apple ever intended to compete in this market so I find these articles ridiculous.

So you think this is one of those one-off "fun" projects that was never intended on its own to be a competitive success? Serious question. You wouldn't be the first person to hold that opinion, tho Apple did go to a lot of effort in initially promoting it. 

mobird said:

I would like to see Music replace all artists, albums, and songs in my Music library with the HiRes / Apple Digital Masters versions automatically. Glad there is competition out there (Tidal) breathing down Apple's neck. What I hope is not the case is that Apple only adding titles on a go-forward basis and limited to Apple Digital Masters. Many people including myself are streaming to higher end audio systems in the home and using HomePods as well, these systems benefit from higher quality streams and audio files/formats. The long standing argument by some that higher quality audio formats were not needed because people were using inferior playback devices such as  BT speakers, Airpods, and headphones (Beats) along with the environment that they were listening in were not justified should be put to rest. Obviously Tidal, HD Tracks, record labels, Qobuz and now Apple to name a few have realized that there is a market and demand for higher quality music.

rob53 said:

$15/mo for almost nothing. Hulu w/ads and without Live TV only costs $5.99 so for $7 you get Disney+ and ESPN+. ESPN+ costs $5/mo so you're getting Disney+ for $2. I understand Disney+ gets you some extra shows but I didn't see anything about this package offering live TV except possibly from ESPN+. I don't think this package is that big of a deal, especially at this price. I'm paying $45/mo for Hulu (w/ads) + Live TV.