tylersdad

slurpy said:

Some of you are fucking hilarious, shitting on the (amazing) gaming capabilities of an ultrathin device that fits in your pocket, and whose primary function isn't even gaming. No, obviously the iPhone, with a mobile chip, isn't on par with the latest consoles. But it's pretty damned impressive in it's own right, considering it's a phone. We've come a long, long way in 10 years, and graphics progress on this front is unmatched. 

As for you people bitching about the controllers, what the hell is wrong with buying nice bluetooth controller like the Nimbus? I use it to game on my Apple TV all the time, and it works great. Why does Apple need to make one themselves? So that all the "hardcore" gamerz can shit on them non-stop because the D-Pad or the analog sticks aren't to their liking? There's tons of MFI options out there that work just fine. Apple has done a great job with their APIs and with relentlessly pushing the capabilities of their GPUs, in order to create a strong foundation and platform for games. They've done more for mobile gaming than anyone else, and they're not obligated to develop their own console with sounds like it would be a massive headache for little payoff. 

Cesar Battistini Maziero said:

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. 

dick applebaum said:

bitmod said:

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?

fallenjt said:

maury markowitz said:

> 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.