Apple unveils HomePod smart speaker at $349 • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple unveils HomePod smart speaker at $349

#21

Post by diskape » Tue, Jun 06, 2017, 1:52 PM UTC

solidr53 wrote: post #6

pgm8705 wrote: post #5

Assuming the audio quality is on par with a Sonos Play:1, An extra $150 is a quite a bit more to pay for Siri integration. Also, will HomePod only work with Apple Music? Another must have that I would need to see before switching from Sonos is the ability to create a stereo pair with 2 speakers.

Only Apple Music. It can create a stereo pair. It's not going to be anywhere close to Sonos in terms of audio quality. 7 tweeters and one 4-inch sub?

Do you have a source on that? They said it's deeply integrated with Apple Music, not that it is exclusive to it.

From what I understand it's going to use Airplay 2 and should be compatible with all Airplay compatible apps once they upgrade to the new technology.

Re: Apple unveils HomePod smart speaker at $349

#22

Post by indemnity » Tue, Jun 06, 2017, 7:25 PM UTC

bobsam wrote: post #15

solidr53 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only Apple Music. It can create a stereo pair. It's not going to be anywhere close to Sonos in terms of audio quality. 7 tweeters and one 4-inch sub?

So basically a music speaker that doesn't support Spotify? Seems like a risky decision.

Do you know how Airplay works?

Re: Apple unveils HomePod smart speaker at $349

#23

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Jun 06, 2017, 11:36 PM UTC

tcarn wrote: post #3

Alexa keeps getting smarter and is substantially less at $50 for the dot (frequently on sale for $40). The dot is also superior because it can work with any bluetooth speaker or AUX speaker. Apple once again is 2 years behind everyone with inferior technology.

[deleted]

Re: Apple unveils HomePod smart speaker at $349

#24

Post by huxley » Tue, Jun 06, 2017, 11:57 PM UTC

bobsam wrote: post #11

I find it interesting that even though apple showed us just an empty shell, some journalist told us that this is probably the best sounding speaker out there... RDF jokes aside, I think this will be released as a pure music player first and get smart assistant functions within a year. I don't think it will get an open API the same way google home has but apple will inatead partner with select companies.

It wasn't an empty shell, journalists got to use and listen to actual Homepods

https://sixcolors.com/post/2017/06/ears-on-with-the-homepod/