Echo & Alexa Forums
General Category => Amazon Echo Discussion => Topic started by: k9kids on June 05, 2017, 03:45:23 pm
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Looks like the market is heating up.
We'll see how many Appleites flock to the $349.00 price tag.
https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/05/apple-homepod-smart-speaker/
Just as we expected, Apple unveiled its Siri speaker, Homepod, today during its WWDC keynote. It's yet another category where Apple is a bit late to the party -- Amazon's Echo and Alexa ecosystem has grown steadily over the past few years, and Google has also gotten a start with its Home speaker and Assistant. Even Microsoft has a leg up with the Cortana-powered Harman Kardon Invoke speaker. Apple's pitch, as usual, is that it's delivering a more premium audio experience.
The HomePod's small, vase-like case houses a four-inch subwoofer and seven tweeters. It's powered by Apple's A8 processor, just like the iPhone. HomePod features "real-time acoustic modeling," which allows it to tweak music to suit its environment. And of course, you can use it to access Siri with voice commands.
But on the HomePod, Siri is more than just a virtual assistant, it's a "musicologist" that will help you find new tunes on Apple Music. You can also tell Siri you like a certain song, and it'll remember your tastes. What's most unique is that you'll be able to ask Siri specific questions like, "Who's the guitarist on this song?"
HomePod is coming in December for $349. It'll be available in white and Apple's usual space grey.
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Meh.
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They should fire their marketing firm.
HomePod. Really?
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Since Apple's HomeKit works with very few smart plugs, I assume that HomePod will suffer the same fate.
This will be a major setback for Apple. Some of the top names in smart plugs are not compatible and probably will not be compatible in the foreseeable future. This includes SmartThings, Wemo, TP-Link, Logitech, D-Link, etc. All the while just about everything works with Alexa and almost as many with Google Home.
This is like the same dilemma Apple suffered many times in the past, the lack of support from 3rd parties.
Investors are not impressed as Apple's stock price dropped $1.50 today. Apple came much too late to the game and the HomePod does not appear to be superior to Amazon's or Google's devices.
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This is like the same dilemma Apple suffered many times in the past, the lack of support from 3rd parties.
Maybe Apple is against their religion too ;)
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Since Apple's HomeKit works with very few smart plugs, I assume that HomePod will suffer the same fate.
This will be a major setback for Apple. Some of the top names in smart plugs are not compatible and probably will not be compatible in the foreseeable future. This includes SmartThings, Wemo, TP-Link, Logitech, D-Link, etc. All the while just about everything works with Alexa and almost as many with Google Home.
This is like the same dilemma Apple suffered many times in the past, the lack of support from 3rd parties.
Investors are not impressed as Apple's stock price dropped $1.50 today. Apple came much too late to the game and the HomePod does not appear to be superior to Amazon's or Google's devices.
System Requirements....
Echo/DOT - Macs, Pcs, iOS, all cell phone manufacturers=cross platform.
Google Home - Mobile devices ONLY...
Android 4.2 and higher
iOS 8 and higher
Note: You can’t set up Google Home on a computer. [/b]
Apple Home Pod - Siri
I could not find any other info regarding using iTunes playlist, OS & iOS compatibility.
Does appear to be an "Apple" compatibility device since the speaker works w/Siri Apple's AI = non cross platform.
Price: Expensive compared to the other "personal assistants" on the market.
Personal Opinion:
Echo/DOT is the way to go. With its cross platform compatibility & "affordable" price, its popularity will continue to sky rocket.
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Not for me, that's for sure. I DO know who the buyers will be; one will be my son-in-law, who is definitely an Apple fanboy. He gets every new iPhone when it comes out, he bought the Apple Watch, and GAVE AWAY the two Dots we presented them as family gifts for upstairs and downstairs this past Xmas; yes, in less than 24 hours they were the bedroom property of the two grandsons, ages 10 and 13 so they could ask Alexa stupid questions like they would do at our house. Parents saw no utility in the gadgets, although they knew we enjoyed our Alexa things. Go figure. (No more tech gifts for this family.)
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Likely on Seinfeld... No more soup for you.
;D ;D ;D
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Huh?
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You never saw the episode where the soup nazi wouldn't give the soup?
No soup for you!
No tech gifts for you. Get it?
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Oh, so THAT'S the Seinfeld episode I missed. Yea, got it now.
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Mike, are you tracking your Google Home? You should have a USPS tracking number by now.
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Finally! From Apple's website....
HomePod (https://www.apple.com/homepod/?&muid=d3ca8868-c74d-4341-bfac-32e9b12fb7c5&mtid=20925z4r52844&aosid=p238&mnid=sKPoGLmKH-dt_mtid_20925z4r52844_pcrid_198780459751_&cid=wwa-us-kwgo-tv-slid--)
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Mike, are you tracking your Google Home? You should have a USPS tracking number by now.
did, Mom, That's how I know it left Friday afternoon, is coming via Priority and now it is in the black hole of no info until it arrives at my mail facility. BTW, did you know that most people who work in post offices are aliens (with lots or arms, etc.) ? This factoid complements of Men in Black movie.
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So far not too impressed... but Hearing is believing in my case. I've listened to a lot of Bluetooth speakers and still haven't found one that sounds better than the "Beats" box available about 3 years back... big white thing with red "handle" openings on each end... I like Bose for their old 901's, but man... Audio just isn't a techie priority nowadays... Maybe Apple did good... maybe they didn't... (I can't afford the Sonos stuff or that would be my speaker of choice right now... but if this speaker rivals Sonos sound quality, then maybe I can swing *it*... Over time I can add one as well... A bit steep for a starting price... but Like I said... Hearing is believing.) I don't use my Echos for music... so having a completely separate music system would be pretty cool to me.
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I don't use my Echos for music... so having a completely separate music system would be pretty cool to me.
The only time I use my DOT for music is to listen to my iTunes library when I am fiddling around in my bedroom which is where my DOT is located. I have a powerful tiny iHome bt speaker. Other than that, I play my music from my receiver/stereo/5 disc player sound system.
So for me, the Apple speaker is just too expensive to use only as a personal assistant.
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They should fire their marketing firm.
HomePod. Really?
iPad got a lot of flak in the beginning for sounding like a maxi pad.
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So far not too impressed... but Hearing is believing in my case. I've listened to a lot of Bluetooth speakers and still haven't found one that sounds better than the "Beats" box available about 3 years back... big white thing with red "handle" openings on each end... I like Bose for their old 901's, but man... Audio just isn't a techie priority nowadays... Maybe Apple did good... maybe they didn't... (I can't afford the Sonos stuff or that would be my speaker of choice right now... but if this speaker rivals Sonos sound quality, then maybe I can swing *it*... Over time I can add one as well... A bit steep for a starting price... but Like I said... Hearing is believing.) I don't use my Echos for music... so having a completely separate music system would be pretty cool to me.
Time will tell. A couple of columns were really praising the sound, blowing away the echo, google home and sonos. However, no one knows much at all about its other capabilities. I have one regular echo and two dots, one connected to home theater setup and the other to an audioengine bluetooth speaker. I couldn't be happier.
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If the HomePod sounds better than the above devices it still will not sound better than a quality home stereo. Although I listen to music on my Echo, Taps and rarely a Dot, and soon on a Google Home, they are ALL for background listening. When I want good sound, I always listen to the stereo. But for those without a quality stereo, these other devices (including HomePod) will have to do, I suppose.
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If the HomePod sounds better than the above devices it still will not sound better than a quality home stereo. Although I listen to music on my Echo, Taps and rarely a Dot, and soon on a Google Home, they are ALL for background listening. When I want good sound, I always listen to the stereo. But for those without a quality stereo, these other devices (including HomePod) will have to do, I suppose.
It does seem to be good enough for several friends that I know, though. Not the dot so much, but the regular echo.
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Sure, and some people think AM radio sound is "good enough", too, but it doesn't end there.
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Absolutely, Mike... Everyone has their level of "OK"... Mine is picky about music systems... I have "OK" sound for my Video stuff... Don't really like it for music much... but it kinda works with the iPhone for music playback... I'd like better sound.
I think it's unfair to say, without ever hearing it, that it doesn't sound as good as something else. The technology in it is impressive as far as claims... but I will definitely take a listen before I put it off the table for options.
I think Audio technology has changed from having loud Earth-Moving volume with half assed clarity... to clarity with accuracy. A Little less Volume. Even in cheapie speakers, as small as they are, the sound can be quite impressive. But not the kind of quality I seek. I installed Car audio for years (Aftermarket and factory stuff... both have their merits), and know I put in tons of Garbage for people who had differing tastes than me. I hated it. I tried to keep my head in the technology end of it to keep me from going nuts making Boom Box Vehicles with no sound quality...
If in fact, the technology side of the Home Pod does what it says... It will likely sound convincingly like a component audio system... especially if you put two in the same area... IF.
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I never said the HomePod will not sound "good" but there is no way it can compare to a high quality stereo. I, too, installed my share of car audio systems, because I was once in the high end stereo business. And, I still have a high end stereo system; over 25 years old now, and the darn things cost almost $10K back in 1990. No way a $350 AI speaker can touch it today -- or anyone's $10K system.
So, the HomePod will be what it is, and likely I will not want one, for reasons already expressed.
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I never said the HomePod will not sound "good" but there is no way it can compare to a high quality stereo. I, too, installed my share of car audio systems, because I was once in the high end stereo business. And, I still have a high end stereo system; over 25 years old now, and the darn things cost almost $10K back in 1990. No way a $350 AI speaker can touch it today -- or anyone's $10K system.
So, the HomePod will be what it is, and likely I will not want one, for reasons already expressed.
Oh, I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm a bit of an audiophile myself. With amazon having such a lead, that helps. We don't know how open Apple will be about 3rd party devices, though they seem to be more open than when Jobs was alive. Plus, the majority might just get the dot for their sound bar or the regular Echo as opposed to a device for $350. I'm quite curious to see if Apple succeeds in this or not.
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I guess Apple is promoting the HomePod as a premium voice controlled speaker and not so much as an AI assistant. Although I have not heard the audio quality of the speaker in person, I can only surmise that Apple put more effort into making a superior-sounding speaker than its competitors. But I'm no audiophile so that's not a big factor for me. I feel that most people are the same as me. It is now 10 days after the HomePod announcement. Apple stock is about $10 less than before the announcement.
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I believe they missed the boat on this one. :o
Most that jump on this will be the die hard apple users. ::)
The price is way to high and I like you am not an audiophile the sound from my dot is just fine for what I listen to.
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>>But I'm no audiophile so that's not a big factor for me. I feel that most people are the same as me.<<
Me! I certainly appreciate a nice clear sound that handle base and treble nicely but it's not a deal breaker by any means. My Google Homes are good enough as is my Jawbone Jambox BT speaker.
ps...thank you Mr Jwlv for removing the capcha-whatever thing :)
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I presume Apple may be positioning this up again quality small speakers such as Bose, but with a twist by including Siri.
Apple stock got caught up in a tech selloff (1 out of 5 investors currently think tech stocks are in bubble territory), nevertheless large investors snapped up tech stocks today during the temporary "sale".
Here's an article of this afternoon that sheds light on Apple stock price:
http://marketrealist.com/2017/06/whats-affected-apple-stock-recently/
(Yes, I follow the stock market. One has to if that is where the bulk of one's retirement money is stashed!)
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>>But I'm no audiophile so that's not a big factor for me. I feel that most people are the same as me.<<
Me! I certainly appreciate a nice clear sound that handle base and treble nicely but it's not a deal breaker by any means. My Google Homes are good enough as is my Jawbone Jambox BT speaker.
ps...thank you Mr Jwlv for removing the capcha-whatever thing :)
That Jambox is a pretty impressive speaker for it's size... but I find it just a little short of awesome. I think it's sibling one is nicer (the Big Jambox)for it's size as well... Better audio quality simply because it's larger and more capable strictly from a physics point of view if nothing else.
The market is flooded with all kinds of bluetooth speakers... most of them portables. I think the most impressive full audio quality in a portable one I have heard so far, is still that Fugly white one with red accents and a handle on each end... Beats makes it... calls it the BeatsBox... Nowadays I think it's available in black. I'd gladly give just about anything a listen... but I do have an ear for Good sound reproduction... Not quite rich enough to be an audiophile...
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I remember now,... Apple bought Beats a year or two ago, so expect the PodHome to sound like a Beats speaker -- because it WILL have a Beats speaker inside! Duh.
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I remember now,... Apple bought Beats a year or two ago, so expect the PodHome to sound like a Beats speaker -- because it WILL have a Beats speaker inside! Duh.
It may indeed have a Beats Audio driver in it... whatever that means... but it will be pretty small compared to the Beats Product I referred to... That might mean one of the best sounding small speakers around though... and I'm really curious about how the sound and environmental technologies do in a real setting...
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Wonder how true this statement is.
"The HomePod will only realise its full potential using Apple’s music service."
I think for the majority it won't matter if it is played using Google, Amazon, Pandora etc...
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The best place to audition the sound quality will be in a noisy Apple Store! LOL
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The best place to audition the sound quality will be in a noisy Apple Store! LOL
That's a likely thing, Mike... I've been there on a Saturday, and a Wednesday... and a Monday... and a Friday... My most local store is always a Noisy Beast of a place. I am more likely to try and find a Best Buy to do the Audition though... Much closer to home.
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If they are marketing this as a sound delivery device, well.... I have a home theater system for that. Or a smattering of Bluetooth speakers. Etc.
If the sound experience is what Apple thinks this is about, they have not been paying attention. Even two years late to the game, and they still are missing it. While the original Echo was cool, it was Echo Dot that rocked the market. In a world where a $40 device was the game-breaker, Apple is introducing a $350 gadget??
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^^^^
What he said!
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If they are marketing this as a sound delivery device, well.... I have a home theater system for that. Or a smattering of Bluetooth speakers. Etc.
If the sound experience is what Apple thinks this is about, they have not been paying attention. Even two years late to the game, and they still are missing it. While the original Echo was cool, it was Echo Dot that rocked the market. In a world where a $40 device was the game-breaker, Apple is introducing a $350 gadget??
they are missing a lot of points, but the apple fanboys will not. they all will shell out the money just because it has the apple name on it because of the status it will give them. It would be just like that white cable to their headphones. I think that is why a lot of apple users got upset when headphone jack went wireless - no more status symbol.
I read somewheres it might have one feature that Alexa does not have, it will not rely on the cloud for commands to work. whether true or not, it could give them the edge if all else is the same.