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Post by dksosku on Jun 6, 2017 14:46:01 GMT -5
whyd.com/looks like Apple took some inspiration from this design.
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Post by GTPlus on Jun 6, 2017 14:54:05 GMT -5
Marketing aside, Apple is trying to get in on the Amazon and Google device market which is not a bad idea. It looks like the Homepod will have better sound. It's also designed for home automation, controlling lights, curtains, door locks. etc. as long as the other devices are compatible with Homekit. The problem that I have is my Nest thermostat and Nest Protects and Nest outdoor cam are not on Homekit. So that's out. I have a Wink that controls a couple lights. It's ok, but not the greatest. The other problem I have is where to put it? My family room houses my 5.1 system and the Thiel speakers sing. My bedroom has a small modest 2 channel system that I rarely use. The living room maybe? To be used when guests are over for background music. The only way I can see buying this and making it useful is if my Nest products could be controlled by it. Wait and see. Just get an Echo Dot and hook it to your own system. That is what I did and it works great with steaming music, Nest etc.. The Apple site says the pod is limited to the apple music service.
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Post by GTPlus on Jun 6, 2017 14:59:26 GMT -5
Have you guys read any of the actual reviews of the device by those who have actually heard it? Or did you come here to complain about Apple first? A nice roundup of initial reviews here: www.macrumors.com/2017/06/06/homepod-first-impressions/Of note, they compared it sonically to two other products in its class, and it blew both of them away. I don't think anyone is expecting this to compete with Macintosh gear. But that would seem to take away from all the points thus far in this thread, so maybe I should just keep quiet. One counterpoint though, the reviewers only heard it in a controlled environment with a set of songs selected by Apple. Tactic straight from the Bose playbook.
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Post by teaman on Jun 6, 2017 15:03:20 GMT -5
Why would anyone here be excited about this gadget? If you have a stereo or even a surround set up....which I assume most in the forum do.
With so many streaming options, why would you take your actual stereo out of the equation to insert a HomePod?
It makes absolutely no sense. I have a Pure i20 ipod dock with toslink out into my XDA-2 and playing through my amp, my speakers, etc. What would be the benefit of one of these gadgets other than ease of moving it from room to room....which in my case I have an audio set up in every room anyways.
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Post by jmilton on Jun 6, 2017 15:29:03 GMT -5
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Post by Jim on Jun 6, 2017 15:46:13 GMT -5
Or did you come here to complain about Apple first? It's never too early for a little Apple or Bose bashing. /typed using an iPhone 6+.
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
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Post by novisnick on Jun 6, 2017 15:47:17 GMT -5
Why would anyone here be excited about this gadget? If you have a stereo or even a surround set up....which I assume most in the forum do. With so many streaming options, why would you take your actual stereo out of the equation to insert a HomePod? It makes absolutely no sense. I have a Pure i20 ipod dock with toslink out into my XDA-2 and playing through my amp, my speakers, etc. What would be the benefit of one of these gadgets other than ease of moving it from room to room....which in my case I have an audio set up in every room anyways. Yeh! Just wait till ya see the units sold! 😲😲😲
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Post by Axis on Jun 6, 2017 16:06:12 GMT -5
Apple has always been the dumbing down of sound for the masses. Do not follow there light !
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Post by teaman on Jun 6, 2017 16:18:02 GMT -5
Why would anyone here be excited about this gadget? If you have a stereo or even a surround set up....which I assume most in the forum do. With so many streaming options, why would you take your actual stereo out of the equation to insert a HomePod? It makes absolutely no sense. I have a Pure i20 ipod dock with toslink out into my XDA-2 and playing through my amp, my speakers, etc. What would be the benefit of one of these gadgets other than ease of moving it from room to room....which in my case I have an audio set up in every room anyways. Yeh! Just wait till ya see the units sold! 😲😲😲 Not saying they won't sell raging numbers, I am asking why people in here would care. I have an iphone, ipod touch, Macbook and all that but I certainly don't turn to them for music options. It's one thing to have a phone or ipod...or HomePod I guess for when you are in the shower or something but for actual listening it certainly wouldn't be in my thought process.
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Post by thrillcat on Jun 6, 2017 16:22:19 GMT -5
Or did you come here to complain about Apple first? It's never too early for a little Apple or Bose bashing. /typed using an iPhone 6+. How sad some lives must be.
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Post by Jim on Jun 6, 2017 16:26:31 GMT -5
It's never too early for a little Apple or Bose bashing. /typed using an iPhone 6+. How sad some lives must be. Yeah, living without a sense of humor must be horrific.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 6, 2017 16:38:53 GMT -5
I currently have a pair of KEF's that I move out to the verandah for background music, which is great for parties or long afternoons. But it would be convenient to have something quick to set up that I could use for short stays, like breakfast on Sunday mornings or lunch. Since it's really background music, if they sound half way decent that would be an OK option.
Cheers Gary
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Post by Loop 7 on Jun 6, 2017 17:33:09 GMT -5
The problem that I have is my Nest thermostat and Nest Protects and Nest outdoor cam are not on Homekit. So that's out. I have a Wink that controls a couple lights. It's ok, but not the greatest. This is a HUGE differentiator. If I am correct, Amazon and Google's products work with loads of different products. Maybe smart home product manufacturers will start offering HomeKit compatible products. Or, maybe Apple will start manufacturing light bulbs, IP cameras, garage door openers, thermostats? Unlikely. This is one area where a company really does have to cater to other manufacturers.
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Post by garbulky on Jun 6, 2017 17:42:50 GMT -5
Having said that, I wouldn't mind a Siri version of Amazon's alexa - an always on tool that could perhaps interface with an apple tv or heck even a PC to display information or similar things.
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Post by Porscheguy on Jun 6, 2017 18:21:03 GMT -5
I'm sure the Bose crowd will come running..
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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 6, 2017 18:44:12 GMT -5
I'm also thinking garage, the current speakers (a pair of KEF Concertos) do take up a lot of space under the work bench. Just one that I move between the 2 locations As a bonus I could use Siri to open the garage door, change the temperature on the air con, turn on/off the lights for the work bench/drill press/grinder/linisher/under bonnet etc. I wonder if it does blue tooth for the iPhone, that would be handy when both hands are full. Cheers Gary
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hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,920
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Post by hemster on Jun 6, 2017 19:05:00 GMT -5
Someone could call me an "Apple guy," because of the number of Apple products I own... ... and an Apple watch, that I only simply recharge occasionally to see if it is still working... Wanna sell me your Apple Watch?
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Post by Loop 7 on Jun 6, 2017 19:09:37 GMT -5
whyd.com/looks like Apple took some inspiration from this design. Yes, it appears so but let's be clear that Apple's HomePod is "revolutionary" and is poised to completely change the landscape of high fidelity.
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Post by Loop 7 on Jun 6, 2017 19:13:22 GMT -5
Does anyone remember the iPod Hi-Fi?
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hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,920
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Post by hemster on Jun 6, 2017 19:14:57 GMT -5
Having said that, I wouldn't mind a Siri version of Amazon's alexa - an always on tool that could perhaps interface with an apple tv or heck even a PC to display information or similar things. We need an "always on" tool like we need a hole in our head. What's next? The tool can deny your request to play <<insert loud obnoxious music here>> because you had asked someone for an aspirin? We're all humanoids for Pete's sake! Oh, Alexa just asked who Pete is and why we're human for his sake!
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