“If you were hoping to use the HomePod as a regular Bluetooth speaker, forget about that,” Steve Dent reports for Engadget. “While it has the necessary hardware for Bluetooth streaming, currently it only supports third-party services through Apple’s proprietary AirPlay protocol.”
“As was expected, that pretty much eliminates Android and other devices as sources, even if you’re running Apple Music, making the HomePod a product strictly for Apple device owners,” Dent reports. “Furthermore, just to set it up, you’ll need an iOS 11-capable Apple device, as The Verge notes.”
“For third-party apps like Spotify, you won’t be able to play songs via Siri voice commands, it seems,” Dent reports. “Once it’s installed, however, guests with iOS 8 and up and OS X Yosemite and later will be able to connect via peer-to-peer AirPlay.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Again, there are about a billion more Apple device users today than there were when iPod launched as a Mac-only music accessory.
Apple’s HomePod can be used as as a Wi-Fi speaker for Spotify, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, etc., thanks to AirPlay.
As always, Android settlers won’t know what they’re missing in terms of ecosystem integration and ease-of-use. When and if Apple opens HomePod more to Apple Music subscribers on Android (Google’s Play Store app has between 10 million and 50 million Apple Music downloads and more than 200,000 reviews), it’ll be icing on the cake. Apple could certainly have plans for HomePods to fill in other price points (like iPod mini, iPod nano and iPhone shuffle did) in the future, too.
Obviously, Apple is behind on HomePod. We don’t even have multi-room or stereo capabilities, yet! We expect Apple has plans for HomePod features and devices that have not yet been revealed.
HomePod Audio Sources (via Apple Inc.):
• Apple Music
• iTunes Music Purchases
• iCloud Music Library with an Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription
• Beats 1 Live Radio
• Podcasts
• AirPlay other content to HomePod from iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and MacHomePod System Requirements (via Apple Inc.):
• iPhone 5s or later, iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation), iPad Air or later, iPad mini 2 or later, or iPod touch (6th generation) running iOS 11.2.5 or later
• 802.11 Wi-Fi Internet access
• Apple Music subscription for full music functionalitySEE ALSO:
Apple reveals all of HomePod’s supported audio sources – February 1, 2018
Apple’s HomePod, the iPod for your home – January 25, 2018
One hour with Apple’s new HomePod smart speaker – January 25, 2018
Apple’s iOS 11.3 beta delivers AirPlay 2 with multi-room playback – January 25, 2018
How Apple is positioning the HomePod and why – January 24, 2018
How I got talked into buying an Apple HomePod despite my reservations – January 24, 2018
Tim Cook says audio quality puts HomePod ahead of ‘squeaky-sounding’ competition – January 24, 2018
Apple’s HomePod arrives February 9th, available to order this Friday, January 26th – January 23, 2018
Apple delays HomePod release to early 2018 – November 17, 2017
Apple reveals HomePod smart home music speaker – June 5, 2017