Lab4Us

big kc said:

Not surprised at all. It's a nice piece of hardware, with a REALLY lousy voice assistant, and Apple chose to keep out 3rd party streaming like Spotify, which IMHO was a HUGE mistake. That omission alone is hindering sales, probably significantly. You can't expect people to pay top dollar for this thing just because it sounds good - with Siri being so lacking, and so many people preferring Spotify as their streamer of choice, this thing was bound to stumble.

Didn’t we see an article where most spotify users are using the free service, not paid?  Somehow I don’t think folks that won’t spend $10 a month on music will buy a $350 HomePod.  Even if Apple did add spotify, all the Apple naysayers would just find something else to complain about.

larrya said:

I’m not sure analysts were so wrong about Apple Watch sales in 2015. Something convinced Apple to move from boutique shops in April, to Wal-marts by August. The HomePod is fatally flawed (only 1 streaming service, no stereo, Siri), just like the original watch (too slow, poor battery life, no gps).  It will improve over time, just like the watch did, but right now I have no interest in it and I don’t think I’m alone. 

Not sure why people don’t get that if you want to stream lesser services, there are options (Sonos, bluetooth, etc.).  By the way, most, if not all, of the services will play on the HomePod, which I’m sure you already know. HomePod is a great product and I’m no Apple fanboy (their computers, for gaming, suck).

Have no worry though, my purchases of multiple HomePods will help Apple overcome your boycott!

tzeshan said:

Apple sells HomePod mainly as a response to Amazon smart speakers. But Alexa is popular not because of sound quality. Unless Apple greatly improves Siri in the near future, HomePod will be another Apple flop. 

LOL..pretty sure Apple sells HomePod as a music device...which is why their HomePod text on the Apple site, clearly as an afterthought, states “also does Siri stuff” to paraphrase, in the last few lines at the bottom.  But clearly 90% of the text is about the MUSIC and MUSIC TECHNOLOGY, while 10% is Siri related...never meant as a competitor to Alexa, Bigsby, Cortana, et. al.

But please continue with your Apple is DOOOOOMED scenarios.

I bet if HomePod was free, every person on here saying how it sucks would take one in a heartbeat!

Prior to Apple Music, and even a year or so after, I generally always bought full albums.  I find I usually end up liking album content over the “singles” pushed by the industry.  A few of those came with the “LP”, but I can honestly say I never even opened and listened to any of the “LP”s.  Now I much prefer the $14.99 for Apple Music family and listening to whatever I want.  I estimate I save between $100-$200 a month.

magman1979 said:

Lab4Us said:

Lol, in other news, let’s test products for tasks they aren’t designed to do, then ding them for it...the Apple hate force is strong in this article...

I have an idea! Why not buy Echo and Google Home if you want all that millenial bullshit running your life.  Those of us who appreciate the MUSIC (you know, the Homepod main selling point) will continue to enjoy our Homepods and the technology within...

Couldn't have said it better myself! Though I don't own a HomePod (yet), my sole purpose for getting it would be for it to integrate with my Apple Music and do what it does best, which is entertain my soul with music.

If I need to shop, put together shopping lists, or other tasks, I will do it on, as the saying goes, the right tool for the right job, and smart speakers aren't it!

Believe the positive reviews on the sound of the Homepod!  Not equivalent to a $5k system, BUT a superb listening experience.  I’ve had mine since day 1 of deliveries and don’t think I will ever tire of picking from 40 + something million songs and enjoying hearing them in a whole new way.  For reference, I’ve been listening to music since before cassette tapes (so 8-tracks and earlier), and the Homepod has allowed me to hear new things 9n songs I’ve been listening to since the 60s!