Apple’s technique with the HomePod is considerably complicated. First, the corporate launched a formidable good speaker by way of sound high quality. Nevertheless, relating to the HomePod software program and good options, HomePod was clearly behind its opponents. Greater than that, the product was significantly costlier than different good audio system.
The spectacular sound high quality of the unique HomePod wasn’t sufficient to persuade those that they wanted to purchase one – or a couple of. On the identical time, Apple itself by no means appeared to have a lot religion within the product. The primary era HomePod was solely launched in a only a few international locations.
Then the HomePod mini got here as a less expensive different to the unique HomePod, which was later discontinued. Not like its larger-sized brother, HomePod mini just isn’t precisely a hi-fi sound speaker. Nevertheless, it’s less expensive and nonetheless has good options due to the HomePod software program, which was imagined to make it extra interesting to shoppers.
I’ve purchased just a few HomePods mini since its launch in 2020 to place them throughout my residence. And whereas I see potential within the HomePod mini, there’s so much Apple ought to do earlier than eager about introducing a brand new HomePod.
The issue with HomePod
Personally, my expertise with the HomePod mini just isn’t the perfect. I’m not speaking in regards to the sound high quality (which I want was higher, however we’re speaking a few small speaker), however about good options. Most interactions with the HomePod are accomplished by Siri, and everyone knows that Siri just isn’t precisely good.
I can’t even depend what number of instances I’ve requested Siri to do easy issues like play a track, set a timer, or create a reminder and Siri has failed to do so. This alone makes the expertise of utilizing HomePods irritating. However my issues with the HomePod go far past that.
HomePod depends on the AirPlay 2 connection, which is a wi-fi audio streaming customary created by Apple. Whereas AirPlay 2 allows nice options like multi-room audio, it isn’t precisely dependable. Generally my HomePods merely refuse to attach with my iPhone or iPad to play a track.
And a minimum of as soon as per week I’ve to reboot one of many HomePods as a result of it randomly loses connection to the web. It’s additionally irritating once I’m watching one thing on my Apple TV with a stereo pair of HomePods and instantly certainly one of them loses connection. I want this was a {hardware} difficulty with my items, however I’ve a number of buddies who expertise comparable points each day with their HomePods.
HomePod software program wants enhancements
On the finish of the day, the issue with the HomePod mini is that it’s not precisely the perfect by way of sound high quality, and it’s additionally not the perfect relating to good options. And but it’s costlier than nearly all of its opponents. To not point out that the HomePod mini remains to be unavailable in loads of locations all over the world.
Meanwhile, you can buy an Amazon Echo Dot for just $29.
It’s arduous to think about the HomePod mini (or another HomePod mannequin that Apple will ever introduce) changing into a success when the product isn’t the perfect at something it units out to do. I want Siri was higher, I want AirPlay 2 was extra dependable, and I additionally want HomePod had extra options like an open SDK for builders and a true surround mode.
And if Apple desires the HomePod to develop into successful, the corporate ought to work on making the HomePod software program higher. In any case, what’s a wise speaker with out a good and dependable software program?
However what about you? Is your expertise with HomePod good or dangerous? Let me know within the feedback part under.
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