“The HomePod is a squat – less than 7 inches high – unobtrusive speaker that, per Apple, is loaded with technology, including 7 beam-forming tweeters, 6 microphones, an Apple A8 processor, and a upward firing woofer. All reviewers agreed that this technology achieved the finest quality of any smart speaker,” Robin Harris writes for ZDNet. “So, other than to say the sound of the Homepod – and my long time audio system uses excellent Dynaudio speakers – is great, I’m not going to heap more praise on their audio quality. Instead I’ll talk about the rest of experience.”
“The Homepod only accepts content from Apple Music or an Airplay enabled device, including Macs and Windows using iTunes, iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV,” Harris writes. “The Siri control works, but not as well as I’d like… All voice commands are encrypted before they leave the HomePod and sent to Apple’s servers. I’m privacy first, and I like that. Apparently most other devices send info about your listening and/or viewing habits so the vendor can monetize the information. I hate that.”
“The stripped down esthetic of the HomePods, the overall ease of use, the excellent sound quality, and – on sale – cost makes me glad I bought them. I can’t say that about every tech purchase,” Harris writes. “If you have an iOS device and love music, I recommend them.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: By now, we can’t live without our HomePods. Wives, children, relatives, visitors – everybody loves them and, of course, Apple Music’s 50+ million-strong library!
Multiple rooms, stereo-paired – gorgeous sound everywhere! Hey, Apple, how about a weather-proof HomePod for outdoor use, too?
BTW, a strong television ad or two for HomePod placed during some of these music competition shows (The Voice, The Masked Singer, American Idol, etc.) might be an idea worth considering, too.
SEE ALSO:
Apple’s HomePod sold 1.6 million units last holiday quarter – February 20, 2019
Apple’s HomePod shipments surged 45% in holiday quarter – February 19, 2019
Apple buys voice app startup PullString – February 15, 2019
Head of Apple’s Siri team apparently has been reassigned – February 4, 2019
AI guru John Giannandrea named to Apple’s executive team – December 20, 2018
Former Apple employees on Eddy Cue: Siri and Eddy were ‘a bad fit’ – September 5, 2018
Apple’s Siri improved by 11 percentage points in correct answers over the last 15 months – July 25, 2018
Apple combines machine learning and Siri teams under John Giannandrea – July 10, 2018
Apple’s ‘personal assistant activation’ patent application hints at improved Siri – May 10, 2018
iOS 11.4 will allow Siri to recognize AirPlay commands – May 3, 2018
iPhone X owners are extremely satisfied with basically everything except Siri – April 20, 2018
Apple’s Siri, HomePod and the voice assistant showdown – April 6, 2018
Apple’s A.I. efforts get shot of adrenaline with Giannandrea coup – April 6, 2018
A.I. defector gives Apple access to Google’s secrets – April 6, 2018
Gene Munster: Poaching AI chief John Giannandrea from Google a win for Apple – April 5, 2018
Apple hires Google’s A.I. chief to improve Siri – April 4, 2018
Still seems weird to see the words “Apple” and “on sale” mentioned in the same sentence.
The times they are a-changin’.
I have a stereo pair working with my Apple TV and big projector. Very good sound. I would like more volume. Hopefully a software update.
I had a single one working with my Apple TV. Unfortunately when the software update came for stereo and I added the second one, the AppleTV remote stopped being able to control volume. Telling Siri to change my volume was a pain.
I gave up and sold them
Did you try to use the pull down menu at the top of the Apple TV screen?. It lets you choose audio source and that effects what remote. Make sure it is set to Apple TV.
They are great as a single speaker. But to buy two just for bedroom tv that would be 600 bucks. Your better off with a small 5,1 system. It’s cheaper to.
Love my HomePods. They have increased my music listening manyfold. I find Siri to be incredibly useful as well. One of Apple’s best products.
Good for you those who are the blessed few who have had that experience. But for those of us who seem to have been forgotten by Tim Cook and Apple, have nothing to celebrate or complain about. Why is it taking Apple this LONG to release this product to the market for the REST of us. It’s SAD.
I mean no disrespect, but could you please elaborate on how Tim Cook and Apple have forgotten anyone? Thanks!
Mac Pro
lack of needed ports / dongle hell
iTunes music management ruined by media rental push
Aperture
user ability to upgrade or repair
displays
Airport
iCloud security & privacy
iWork limitations & incompatibilities
pricing
shall I go on?