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AirPlay 2 Brings HomePod Stereo Pairs and Multi-Room Audio To iOS 11.4 (betanews.com)

Posted by msmash on from the about-time dept.

Today sees the release of iOS 11.4 and with it Apple is adding AirPlay 2. From a report: This brings some important changes to HomePod, including the stereo pairing option that was missing at launch. AirPlay 2 also adds multi-room audio to HomePod, bringing Apple's smartspeaker in line with Amazon Echo and Google Home. Other new features of iOS 11.4 include the ability to access iMessages via iCloud on any Apple device. The lack of stereo pairing and multi-room audio was seen by many as a failing of HomePod, but Apple has now addressed this. The company says that when two speakers are paired, they are capable of "delivering room-filling sound that is more spacious than a traditional stereo pair."

109 comments

  1. You're hearing it wrong by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Funny

    "The company says that when two speakers are paired, they are capable of "delivering room-filling sound that is more spacious than a traditional stereo pair."

    You gotta give it to Apple. Who you gonna believe, them or your own lying ears?

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
    1. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They're not lying about that per se. There are various ways to make 2 speakers sound better than a default stereo speaker set. That's not a very high-bar claim.

    2. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Damn, I thought Apple had embraced this modern stereophonic technology from 1931!

    3. Re:You're hearing it wrong by alvinrod · · Score: 1

      From what I saw regarding the design of the speakers, it looks as though each pod has got an array of speakers that is putting sound out in every direction. You should expect that to be able to produce a better overall sound all else equal. If you're pitting it against some cheap speakers that came as part of a surround package, it's probably no contest. I suspect that if you've got a decent pair of quality speakers though that you can probably get better sound quality from them.

      Getting two HomePod units is $700 though. You can get a great set of floor standing stereo speakers for that price though and even a pair of really good ones for the cost of just one HomePod. You're also going to get something that can fill a much larger space because each of your really good speakers is going to be able to handle far more power individual than a single HomePod so you'll be able to get loud without getting distorted.

    4. Re:You're hearing it wrong by fluffernutter · · Score: 2

      If you are going the multi-room route, it is incredibly inefficient to put a separate pair of $700 speakers in every room. Yes, maybe those are decent for a primary space such as an entertainment room; but what if I want to set up a speaker in the bathroom so I can listen while I'm taking a shower? Or the garage for when I'm working on something? I'd prefer to just have reasonably decent but ultimately cheap speakers in those places. I have three stereo clock radios that sound pretty good and have aux inputs. I also have older devices I don't use any more. Again, this is part of a culture that throws out devices instead of reusing them.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    5. Re:You're hearing it wrong by alvinrod · · Score: 1

      Just get a cheap portable Bluetooth speaker that you can cart around for stuff like that instead of putting speakers in every room. Then you can take it with you out to the garage, park, lake, etc. as well and it's going to be more than good enough for those situations. I'm comparing a set of dedicated stereo speakers to a pair of Apple HomePods. If you're getting even just one of those for every room in your house (so you can have music throughout the entire house) you've probably got more money than sense.

      I think it's cool technology, but it's overpriced for what it is even if you do consider the usual Apple tax.

    6. Re:You're hearing it wrong by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      You should expect that to be able to produce a better overall sound all else equal.

      No. An array of speakers in one enclosure is not an improvement on true stereo when all music is now recorded in stereo.

      Unless Apple now wants to argue that all music is being produced and mastered wrong.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    7. Re:You're hearing it wrong by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 2

      You could also go the SONOS route; get some small Play:1 speakers for the garage or bathroom. Bigger speakers/systems for other places, or a Connect for use with regular stereos. And have the ability to "stream the TV" from your Playbar/Playbase to all other speakers in the house, if you want (for big football games, for instance).

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    8. Re:You're hearing it wrong by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      Then what's the point of having a multi-room solution at all? Also, having to buy more devices that I don't have goes against my point. I want to put to use the devices I already have. Yes, they're older, no they don't have bluetooth. They sound way better than a 'cheap Bluetooth speaker' and still have a lot of life left in them.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    9. Re:You're hearing it wrong by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 2

      "The company says that when two speakers are paired, they are capable of "delivering room-filling sound that is more spacious than a traditional stereo pair."

      You gotta give it to Apple. Who you gonna believe, them or your own lying ears?

      It's called "Acoustic Holography", and studios have been using it for years to use psychoacoustics to apparently place sound sources outside of the stereo field. I can't find any good cites at the moment; but I read about it several years ago.

      Your brain is very easily deceived when it comes to sound-direction.

    10. Re:You're hearing it wrong by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      From what I saw regarding the design of the speakers, it looks as though each pod has got an array of speakers that is putting sound out in every direction. You should expect that to be able to produce a better overall sound all else equal. If you're pitting it against some cheap speakers that came as part of a surround package, it's probably no contest. I suspect that if you've got a decent pair of quality speakers though that you can probably get better sound quality from them.

      Getting two HomePod units is $700 though. You can get a great set of floor standing stereo speakers for that price though and even a pair of really good ones for the cost of just one HomePod. You're also going to get something that can fill a much larger space because each of your really good speakers is going to be able to handle far more power individual than a single HomePod so you'll be able to get loud without getting distorted.

      And, keep in mind that every one of those speakers has a separate, computer-controlled, input; so there is MUCH more that something like a HomePod can do with its speakers than any conventional speaker system.

    11. Re:You're hearing it wrong by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      Something tells me you're not going to replace a decent setup with a subwoofer with many small speakers, no matter how hard you try.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    12. Re:You're hearing it wrong by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      If you are going the multi-room route, it is incredibly inefficient to put a separate pair of $700 speakers in every room. Yes, maybe those are decent for a primary space such as an entertainment room; but what if I want to set up a speaker in the bathroom so I can listen while I'm taking a shower? Or the garage for when I'm working on something? I'd prefer to just have reasonably decent but ultimately cheap speakers in those places. I have three stereo clock radios that sound pretty good and have aux inputs. I also have older devices I don't use any more. Again, this is part of a culture that throws out devices instead of reusing them.

      So, for those places, get a cheapie set of AirPlay-compatible speakers. I wouldn't put a $700 set of HomePods in a bathroom or even likely a garage (unless I was rich).

      And yes, I agree that they are pricey.

    13. Re:You're hearing it wrong by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      You should expect that to be able to produce a better overall sound all else equal.

      No. An array of speakers in one enclosure is not an improvement on true stereo when all music is now recorded in stereo.

      Unless Apple now wants to argue that all music is being produced and mastered wrong.

      They are talking about a PAIR of HomePods being used to do a stereo field; not ONE HomePod.

    14. Re:You're hearing it wrong by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 2

      Something tells me you're not going to replace a decent setup with a subwoofer with many small speakers, no matter how hard you try.

      I tend to agree: But pretty much everyone who hears the HomePod in real life is amazed with how good they sound; and the frequency response plots seem to bear that out.

      I haven't heard one (let alone two) yet. Have you? (Serious question)

    15. Re:You're hearing it wrong by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      The way the summary reads, you have to have Homepod speakers for multi-room support.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    16. Re:You're hearing it wrong by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      I have not heard these, but I have heard many high end compact speakers. All of them sound like small speakers when it comes to low-end bass response. You're not going to be watching a movie with lots of explosions on these.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    17. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We all know the point of apples ridiculous "solutions". Profits!

    18. Re:You're hearing it wrong by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      I tend to agree: But pretty much everyone who hears the HomePod in real life is amazed with how good they sound

      They sound better than a clock radio, but they don't sound $700 good.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    19. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Now that sounds exactly like something apple would say. And their blind minions would parrot endlessly.

    20. Re:You're hearing it wrong by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      The way the summary reads, you have to have Homepod speakers for multi-room support.

      I don't think so. I think the device only has to support AirPlay 2.

    21. Re:You're hearing it wrong by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      I have not heard these, but I have heard many high end compact speakers. All of them sound like small speakers when it comes to low-end bass response. You're not going to be watching a movie with lots of explosions on these.

      Oh, I am sure it won't have the low-end of an 18" sub with a dedicated 1200W Class D amp; but, OTOH, I don't think that Home Theatre was the target. More like secondary-location speakers (kitchen, bedroom, office, etc.). And for that, I think they will sound better than most.

    22. Re:You're hearing it wrong by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      I tend to agree: But pretty much everyone who hears the HomePod in real life is amazed with how good they sound

      They sound better than a clock radio, but they don't sound $700 good.

      Do you speak from experience, or just guessing?

      And I assume you haven't heard a stereo pair yet.

    23. Re:You're hearing it wrong by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      Secondary speakers, at more than twice the price than most home theatres.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    24. Re:You're hearing it wrong by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      And I assume you haven't heard a stereo pair yet.

      No, I have not heard a stereo pair of Homepods because they haven't been available until the iOS 11.4 update. Furrther, it was Apple that was the one saying that the Homepods were so advanced that they would sound better than a "traditional" stereo pair, whatever that is.

      There have been speakers systems with arrays of drivers in a single enclosure forever. If a Homepod pair is going to sound better than a similarly priced system of "traditional" stereo pairs, they're going to have to demonstrate more than just their ability to spin a press release.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    25. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you're planning to put a smart speaker in the washroom, you better plan on replacing it every few months.

      The amount of humidity there - especially if you take hot showers is totally going to wreck the speaker.

    26. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's still not an improvement, unless you suggest that having two stereo speakers is a revolutionary thing.

    27. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You should expect that to be able to produce a better overall sound all else equal.

      No. An array of speakers in one enclosure is not an improvement on true stereo when all music is now recorded in stereo.

      What part of stereo pairing of two HomePods did you miss? Must have been a part of your brain.

    28. Re:You're hearing it wrong by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      And I assume you haven't heard a stereo pair yet.

      No, I have not heard a stereo pair of Homepods because they haven't been available until the iOS 11.4 update. Furrther, it was Apple that was the one saying that the Homepods were so advanced that they would sound better than a "traditional" stereo pair, whatever that is.

      There have been speakers systems with arrays of drivers in a single enclosure forever. If a Homepod pair is going to sound better than a similarly priced system of "traditional" stereo pairs, they're going to have to demonstrate more than just their ability to spin a press release.

      here have been speakers systems with arrays of drivers in a single enclosure forever

      You're kidding, right?

      The difference is that every one of the Drivers in a HomePod is under INDIVIDUAL Computer-Control. What the Driver sends to the speaker, and WHEN, are exactly determined by the A8 microcontroller, INDIVIDUALLY, for EACH DRIVER.

      THAT my friend, has never been done before. And yes, it makes all the difference.

    29. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Something tells me you're not going to replace a decent setup with a subwoofer with many small speakers, no matter how hard you try.

      You sound like you just heard of the HomePod for the very first time - or rather, you sound like you think so thanks to your heavy substance abuse.

    30. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And apple will somehow screw it up.

    31. Re:You're hearing it wrong by dfghjk · · Score: 1

      You should look up "inefficient". It doesn't mean what you think it means.

      Apple doesn't require HomePods to be used in pairs. You are free to use one if it's more suitable.

      As easy as it is to criticize a HomePod, you've failed to do so.

    32. Re:You're hearing it wrong by dfghjk · · Score: 1

      "THAT my friend, has never been done before. And yes, it makes all the difference."

      How do you know, and why does that matter?

      The HomePod is a speaker, it is judged by how it performs as a speaker, not how it achieves it.

      Not sure what "all the difference" is in this context, but the HomePod doesn't sound especially good as a speaker, not even as a speaker of its size and price. It's main claim to fame is it's initial impression of bass performance and "individual control" over an array of tweeters doesn't do squat for that.

      What "individual control" of tweeters can do the HomePod sucks at. High frequency performance is the HomePod's greatest liability. They are truly a "low fidelity" product, embarrassing in fact considering their price.

    33. Re:You're hearing it wrong by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      The difference is that every one of the Drivers in a HomePod is under INDIVIDUAL Computer-Control. What the Driver sends to the speaker, and WHEN, are exactly determined by the A8 microcontroller, INDIVIDUALLY, for EACH DRIVER.

      THAT my friend, has never been done before.

      Of course it's been done before. Do you really think Apple's going to do something innovative? That hasn't happened in well over a decade. Computer-controlled line arrays have been around for about that long.

      https://loudaudio.com/martin-a...

      http://www.alconsaudio.com/lin...

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    34. Re:You're hearing it wrong by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

      I suspect that the people who should be nervous here are Sonos; and perhaps to some extent the really expensive A/V integrator types:

      Compared to any of the 'place unit in room, play audio' options the 'homepod' arrangement is pricey and proprietary. Compared to the pricey and proprietary multi-room-with-synchronization-and-stuff options(Sonos being the big name); the cost starts to look more reasonable and they are at least proprietary offshoots of a large, (generally) competent vendor who will likely continue to give them a prime position in a variety of media/service bundling schemes in the coming years; and treat them as a first class audio output for iOS and OSX.

      Not meaningfully competitive with either just 'wiring' speakers for multiroom audio or using your preferred latter-day-boombox option; but probably bad news for the current vendors of fancy wireless multiroom systems that get rather costly rather quickly.

    35. Re:You're hearing it wrong by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      If I spend $50 on speakers that sound great, and you spend $2500 on speakers that sound great, how am I not less efficient in financial terms?

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    36. Re:You're hearing it wrong by dfghjk · · Score: 1

      home theaters at those prices aren't worth talking about...or listening to.

    37. Re:You're hearing it wrong by dfghjk · · Score: 1

      I don't believe you since you demonstrate over and over that you don't know what a "high end" costs.

      The fact is that the HomePod has surprisingly good bass for a speaker it's size. You wouldn't know that since you haven't heard one, but it doesn't stop you from posting repeatedly with derogatory comments toward the product. I'd suggest you take your own advice and "be free from your ego".

    38. Re: You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Sonos One is supposed to be humidity proof so can can go in the bathroom.

    39. Re:You're hearing it wrong by dfghjk · · Score: 1

      Nothing when you live in your parent's basement. Nothing if you think $350 is expensive for a speaker. Nothing if your main concern is not buying anything new.

      Why should anyone care about your opinion in the slightest? If you can't see why someone would want multi-room audio then you haven't met the minimum requirements to participate in the discussion. Multi-room audio is what AirPlay2 is all about.

    40. Re:You're hearing it wrong by dfghjk · · Score: 1

      No, you are not. Again, you do not understand the term, much like you don't understand anything else.

      Furthermore, you never spent $50 on speakers, not ones that "sound great" or anything else. It's quite clear in all of your posts. You don't know what great sound is nor do you have any idea what a HomePod sounds like nor do you know what AirPlay2 is for. You're an idiot.

    41. Re:You're hearing it wrong by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      You sound like you paid too much on speakers.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    42. Re:You're hearing it wrong by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      Yet every time people come over to my house to enjoy a movie, they all comment on how good the sound is. You get alot for little money these days. I'm not saying these speakers aren't twice as good for the price, I'm just saying I don't see any concrete evidence in this thread.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    43. Re: You're hearing it wrong by aaarrrgggh · · Score: 1

      I am close to the ocean in a naturally ventilated house, and we have a Play1 mounted about 7' above the floor (higher than door header). It is about the worst possible location for a unit, but it just has a little rust after four or five years.

    44. Re:You're hearing it wrong by aaarrrgggh · · Score: 1

      Efficacy vs efficiency. $/units of "great."

    45. Re: You're hearing it wrong by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      Other than they all produce sound, those Line Arrays have very little in common with the HomePod.

    46. Re:You're hearing it wrong by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      "The company says that when two speakers are paired, they are capable of "delivering room-filling sound that is more spacious than a traditional stereo pair."

      You gotta give it to Apple. Who you gonna believe, them or your own lying ears?

      I believe Apple. Simple reason: They are right. Note that they never said anything about the quality of the sound. Systems that sound "spacious" are also notorious for being utter garbage for anything other than filling a showroom with background sound, ala Bose.

      I fully believe Apple's claim, and will not buy their product as a result.

    47. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You sound like a shill for apple.

    48. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      YES we get it. You are part of the "once apple makes something all other companies version of that thing sucks" tribe of apple cultists.

    49. Re: You're hearing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And your proof. Other than your endless shilling for apple?

    50. Re:You're hearing it wrong by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      The difference is that every one of the Drivers in a HomePod is under INDIVIDUAL Computer-Control. What the Driver sends to the speaker, and WHEN, are exactly determined by the A8 microcontroller, INDIVIDUALLY, for EACH DRIVER.

      THAT my friend, has never been done before.

      Of course it's been done before. Do you really think Apple's going to do something innovative? That hasn't happened in well over a decade. Computer-controlled line arrays have been around for about that long.

      https://loudaudio.com/martin-a...

      http://www.alconsaudio.com/lin...

      So it has been done before - at several orders of magnitude the size and the price. Apple is such a lame company, and that certainly is not innovation.

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    51. Re:You're hearing it wrong by tsa · · Score: 1

      Yeah, take ot to the park or a lake and annoy all the other people there who come there for a bit of quietness and rest.

      --

      -- Cheers!

    52. Re:You're hearing it wrong by tsa · · Score: 1

      I have been enjoying multi-room sound with Airplay for many years now. Just hook up an amplifier and some speakers to some Aiport Expresses and go. Such a loss that Apple stopped makimg those.

      --

      -- Cheers!

  2. Squeezebox by fluffernutter · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Yaay, Apple caught up to squeezebox! Created by Slim Devices in 2000 and later purchased by Logitech. Of course, with squeezebox you can have squeeze player on Android/iOS/Windows/Linux/MacOS driving a $5000 amp and speaker or a $20 one. But.... enjoy your vendor lock-in Apple fans. I'm sure you will tell yourselves the sound is fabulous.

    --
    Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    1. Re:Squeezebox by teg · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Yaay, Apple caught up to squeezebox! Created by Slim Devices in 2000 and later purchased by Logitech. Of course, with squeezebox you can have squeeze player on Android/iOS/Windows/Linux/MacOS driving a $5000 amp and speaker or a $20 one. But.... enjoy your vendor lock-in Apple fans. I'm sure you will tell yourselves the sound is fabulous.

      Squeezebox was a good idea, executed poorly, I had a Squeezebox radio and a Squeezebox Touch. The radio is one of the few items I've ever returned - even just a room away from the Wifi-router, it was unable to get a good enough signal to play music reliably. Having skimped on the wireless networking, it only had 802.11g. The Touch was a little better, but using it was a pain. All in all, Squeezebox was unable to succeed, and died many years before Homepods were even announced.

      Apple seems to be competing mostly with Sonos, and a little bit with Google Home and Amazon Echo.

    2. Re:Squeezebox by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      I would have never bought the squeezebox devices. As with any of these solutions, the point is to not get locked into these devices which will be made crappy. The point is that a better solution is possible with an old netbook running linux and squeezeplayer.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    3. Re:Squeezebox by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      I would have never bought the squeezebox devices. As with any of these solutions, the point is to not get locked into these devices which will be made crappy. The point is that a better solution is possible with an old netbook running linux and squeezeplayer.

      Oh, that's ever so much more elegant than plopping a HomePod down on a shelf and applying power.

    4. Re:Squeezebox by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      I have friends and family that don't look down on me because I don't have the newest fancy-dancy. They care about hearing music, not looking at the device that makes the music. Be free from your ego.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    5. Re:Squeezebox by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes more elegant and CHEAPER. apple product are abysmal at best.

    6. Re: Squeezebox by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have friends and family that don't look down on me because I don't have the newest fancy-dancy. They care about hearing music, not looking at the device that makes the music. Be free from your ego.

      Thanks for telling us about it, we donâ(TM)t care.

      - The Internet

    7. Re:Squeezebox by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      I have friends and family that don't look down on me because I don't have the newest fancy-dancy. They care about hearing music, not looking at the device that makes the music. Be free from your ego.

      Here is my stereo (Video-oriented stuff excluded) :

      Arcam 80W x 5 Surround Receiver. Gift from a friend that worked in a repair-shop. Free. Only use it in stereo mode.

      Oppo DV-981HD DVD Player I bought off eBay for $125. Bought it because it can play DVD-As and multichannel SACDs (as well as everything else). It has recently developed an issue with the front-panel microcontroller, so it has no display and the front-panel buttons don't work (thank Diety the IR Remote input works fine!)

      Home-Built 3-way acoustic-suspension speakers (well, the cabinets were surplus Avid 103s), with various drivers and crossover likely sourced from Parts Express (I didn't build the cabs.). No subwoofer, unfortunately. I also have a pair of DCM Time Frame TF-500s that I was "perma-loaned" by a friend; but I haven't deployed them yet.

      I've got various other old stereo equipment (a few Dynaco amps and preamps, Thorens TT, Teac R-R) sitting in quiet repose in my storage room, unused; but that's my hoity-toity playback system as of now.

      As you can see, it's a pretty "ego-free" system. Sounds good; but not a Martin Logan in sight...

    8. Re:Squeezebox by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And your you are here boring us with your lack of ego.

    9. Re:Squeezebox by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      And your you are here boring us with your lack of ego.

      Speak English much, Coward?

    10. Re:Squeezebox by fyonn · · Score: 1

      But.... enjoy your vendor lock-in Apple fans. I'm sure you will tell yourselves the sound is fabulous.

      Why are people so insecure about apple products? they knowingly don't try to appeal to everyone with their products, and clearly this product doesn't appeal to you. that's fine, don't buy it, but you don't have to try and make other people feel bad or stupid for thinking it's an interesting option. they have different priorities than you and that's fine, isn't it?

      I'm fairly inside the apple ecosystem with a MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPad and appletv[1]. I don't own a HomePod and I'm probably not going to because I'd rather spend the money elsewhere, and I'd only have limited use for it. Also, it is locked-in, no doubt about it. I have a Spotify account and not an Apple Music one and afaik, Siri doesn't integrate with Spotify. I also have much better hifi kit available to me.

      but for all that, I can see that this would appeal to some people and I imagine it sounds better than people expect. it won't provide an accurate rendition of Techmaster P.E.B's album "It came from Outer Bass pt 2" by plumbing the depths of sub-woofery, but that's okay because frankly, my dual 8" M&K subwoofer won't either. I would guess that it'll out perform an amazon echo and several mini-systems at similar prices though. if you have an Apple Music account, I bet it probably works well.

      So while I don't think it's for me, I don't feel the need to tell people that they're wrong to want one of these. why do you?

      [1] I also own a gaming pc, a server, nas, pi and an echo...

    11. Re:Squeezebox by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Considering how poorly the HP is doing, they don't care about an elegant solution either.

    12. Re:Squeezebox by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      Because Apple makes a business of taking advantage of people. Some people like that. Some people think $700 is worth it for a speaker that is simply 'prettier', even when they are making claims that aren't true in a physical world sense. If they were warned and they still want it then fine. But there may be many people reading this that simply don't realize that they could otherwise be doing it for free and helping the environment at the same time. If I see people paying $10 for a head of broccoli in the grocery store and it's cheaper next door, I tell them. If people are paying $50 for a Monster (TM) HDMI cable, I tell them they may want to reconsider.

      I don't understand why this is offensive at all. It's almost like the reaction you get when you tell a devoutly religious person why you are athiest. Apple has become a religion I guess, and people just want to believe. I don't really think "I do it right", is it just that my world is so far away from theirs it is interesting to discuss my side of it with them. Maybe I *am* missing an understanding about this product and I should be corrected. that If that offends them, then I think they need to be a little more open minded about things. All I can do is explain how I see things and try to understand why anyone would buy this.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    13. Re:Squeezebox by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because they lie about it and have a track record of lying that most people aren't aware of.

      I mean, physics stops music (especially bass-heavy music which a LOT of people like) from coming out of a small puny speaker.

      Those that hear the HPod simply haven't heard other speakers (or if they did, likely have a bias towards it considering their locked-in state).

      So yeah, most people don't even TRY comparable items (cue "there aren't any comparable items". Making them feel bad for believing the BS marketing is something that should be done more often.

    14. Re:Squeezebox by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are like a religious person who see the world black and white. All business take advantage of people. Duh

    15. Re:Squeezebox by dfghjk · · Score: 1

      "Some people think $700 is worth it for a speaker that is simply 'prettier'"

      HomePods are not $700 nor will anyone respect your opinion that they are "simply prettier" considering you've never heard one.

      "I don't understand why this is offensive at all."

      It's not as though you know anything about what you're talking about. You have utterly no experience with these products nor do you demonstrate any knowledge of their competition. It's not even clear you know what that competition is, considering you think it's "home theatres" that cost less than half as much and you never mention Sonos (which is what AirPlay targets).

    16. Re:Squeezebox by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      Ok so how do these speakers measure up against a home theatre? Educate me with some actual facts and independent measurements instead of saying over and over and over, Apple is better.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
  3. Yowsers in me trousers! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This sounds amazing! Cannot wait to try this out when I get home tonight!

  4. That's cool but... by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 1, Interesting

    have they fixed the iOS 11 battery performance issue? That is a lot more important that fixing functionality on a niche product like the HomePod.

    --
    Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
    1. Re:That's cool but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Of course not, you're holding it wrong.

      Actually they claim that it takes a few weeks after an update for the phone to update everything and you'll see additional battery drain during that time.

      Also, they keep on releasing new patches every few weeks.

      Funny how that works.

    2. Re:That's cool but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is not an issue. It was better way to deal with endless rebooting issue on near dying battery when Apple devices usually have more room to spend computation than Android or any other devices out there. People like you would complain either way anyway even if you don't own any Apple device.

      And my old 4S can still hold some charge and works fine for its age, and my 7+ works great and lasts a couple of days on one full charge.

  5. Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

    Arrange your twiddlers around the periphery so that only one points forward. HomePod - bringing the Bose 901 "blur of audio-something generally over-in-that-direction" to the 21st century!

    For those not aware, Bose calls their wideband midrange/tweeter transducer a twiddler.

    --
    Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    1. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 2

      Arrange your twiddlers around the periphery so that only one points forward. HomePod - bringing the Bose 901 "blur of audio-something generally over-in-that-direction" to the 21st century!

      For those not aware, Bose calls their wideband midrange/tweeter transducer a twiddler.

      Computer-controlled beamforming is a LOT different from Bose fakery.

      If you'd get your head out of your ass, you'd see that there really is some pretty cool shit going on in the lowly HomePod.

    2. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      LOL This is an apple product. Any cool shit has been copied from someone else.

    3. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 2

      Having listened and measured a HomePod, it's doing a bit more than the 901 - but not much, in terms of final results. Wave field synthesis is a pretty well-established field, and the biggest issue is always the tradeoff between image accuracy and image size. HomePod pushes way too far to the image size at great expense of image accuracy. A pair of them will most likely end up with a big image - and one that has no definition inside of it. Much like a modern 901.

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    4. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      Having listened and measured a HomePod, it's doing a bit more than the 901 - but not much, in terms of final results. Wave field synthesis is a pretty well-established field, and the biggest issue is always the tradeoff between image accuracy and image size. HomePod pushes way too far to the image size at great expense of image accuracy. A pair of them will most likely end up with a big image - and one that has no definition inside of it. Much like a modern 901.

      Well, you won't get me to argue that a 901, even a 901a, is anything LIKE a high-fidelity speaker system.

      But it will still be interesting to hear what a stereo pair of these things sound like. I'm pretty sure that no one else has created a system quite like this before. Yes, it is still limited by the size of its drivers and power amps; but I wouldn't be surprised to be quite surprised when I hear a stereo pair of HomePods.

    5. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      Well, you won't get me to argue that a 901, even a 901a, is anything LIKE a high-fidelity speaker system.

      Likewise, you don't get to argue that the HomePod is anything LIKE a high-fidelity speaker system. Because it is most definitely not.

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    6. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      Well, you won't get me to argue that a 901, even a 901a, is anything LIKE a high-fidelity speaker system.

      Likewise, you don't get to argue that the HomePod is anything LIKE a high-fidelity speaker system. Because it is most definitely not.

      Since the term "high fidelity" does not have a technical term, then it is impossible to say whether a particular system is "high fidelity" or not, isn't it?

    7. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Computer-controlled beamforming is a LOT different from Bose fakery.

      Yes it is. Unfortunatley the only people who are capable of beam-forming in Apple are their marketing department which presumably had to come up with a name for the totally nothing at all like beam-forming thing that Apple engineers shat out and didn't realise the name was already taken.

    8. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      Merriam Webster defines high fidelity, and Wikipedia does as well. The HomePods are NOT high fidelity. Walk into any stereo shop and ask... But hey, this is the company that pushes their crappy "earpods" and owns Beats - what do we expect about audio quality?

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    9. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      Computer-controlled beamforming is a LOT different from Bose fakery.

      Yes it is. Unfortunatley the only people who are capable of beam-forming in Apple are their marketing department which presumably had to come up with a name for the totally nothing at all like beam-forming thing that Apple engineers shat out and didn't realise the name was already taken.

      Riiiiight. Of COURSE you know more than a group of engineers that have worked on a project for seven years.

      Why don't you edutate us, then? Oh, and I'll take that copy of your Curriculum Vitae, too, while you're at it.

    10. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      Merriam Webster defines high fidelity, and Wikipedia does as well. The HomePods are NOT high fidelity. Walk into any stereo shop and ask... But hey, this is the company that pushes their crappy "earpods" and owns Beats - what do we expect about audio quality?

      Merriam-Webster's definition is kind of self-referential, and is quite subjective:

      "the reproduction of an effect (such as sound or an image) that is very faithful to the original."

      That's IT. You are KIDDING me, right?

      The first paragraph of Wikipedia's definition sounds like some rando off the street wrote it.

      "High fidelity (often shortened to hi-fi or hifi) is a term used by listeners, audiophiles and home audio enthusiasts to refer to high-quality reproduction of sound.[1] This is in contrast to the lower quality sound produced by inexpensive audio equipment, or the inferior quality of sound reproduction that can be heard in recordings made until the late 1940s.

      Ideally, high-fidelity equipment has inaudible noise and distortion, and a flat (neutral, uncolored) frequency response within the human hearing range.[2]".

      And their second paragraph (above) is such that NOT ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT can meet it, at least not the "Flat ... frequency response within the human hearing range.".

      Not ONE piece of equipment is COMPLETELY FLAT. Some come pretty close; but, if you are to take Wikipedia at their word...

      And that's the best you can do? Sheesh!

    11. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      OK, go ahead and claim the HomePod is high fidelity. That says a LOT about the standards you hold! HomePod is a gimmick, an also-ran, a distant 4th - behind Amazon, Google, and SONOS. Enjoy your 4th rate sound!

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    12. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      OK, go ahead and claim the HomePod is high fidelity. That says a LOT about the standards you hold! HomePod is a gimmick, an also-ran, a distant 4th - behind Amazon, Google, and SONOS. Enjoy your 4th rate sound!

      Nice deflection!

      All I said is that I haven't seen a TECHNICAL (non-subjective) definition of High Fidelity.

      You failed to provide one.

      Then when challenged, you DEFLECT by again attacking the HomePod as not meeting a Standard you can't even provide an OBJECTIVE, REALISTIC Definition for!

      I'm honestly not sure if I would characterize the HomePod as "High Fidelity" (according to my personal standards); but I haven't read even one review that places its Sound Quality "a distant 4th" BEHIND Sonos, Amazon or Google. Not one.

      So, regardless of your (or my) SUBJECTIVE definitions of "High Fidelity", according to ALL the reviews I have read, the HomePod is at least HighER Fidelity than those other brands you mentioned. And in most cases, significantly so.

      So, go argue against all those guys.

    13. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      If you can't read the Wiki link (high-fidelity equipment has inaudible noise and distortion, and a flat (neutral, uncolored) frequency response within the human hearing range) then there is no hope for you. But then, we know you're an Apple fanatic, so there was no hope to begin with, so... Perhaps you should check reviews other than Apple Fanboi sites. Seriously, anyone who thinks a HomePod sounds better than a SONOS Play:1 is either deaf or a dyed-in-the-wool Apple Cultist.

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    14. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      If you can't read the Wiki link (high-fidelity equipment has inaudible noise and distortion, and a flat (neutral, uncolored) frequency response within the human hearing range) then there is no hope for you. But then, we know you're an Apple fanatic, so there was no hope to begin with, so... Perhaps you should check reviews other than Apple Fanboi sites. Seriously, anyone who thinks a HomePod sounds better than a SONOS Play:1 is either deaf or a dyed-in-the-wool Apple Cultist.

      I can read fine.

      It's STILL SUBJECTIVE.

      "Inaudible noise and distortion". Inaudible to WHO? And what KIND of Noise and Distortion, since IM distortion is MUCH more audible, depending on the frequencies involved, than THD is (haven't we had this discussion already?)

      "Flat frequency response". Again, since NOTHING has a PERFECTLY-FLAT frequency response, that is an utterly impossible-to-achieve spec, sorry!

      Oh, and do you really think that pitting ONE HomePod against TWO SonosOnes is a fair comparison?

      In fact, the C/Net Review flatly states that:

      "As we found in our review, the $349 (£319, AU$499) Apple HomePod is an accomplished speaker. By itself it outperforms the $199 (£199, AU$299) Sonos One, winner of our Editors' Choice award as the all-around best smart speaker."

      [Emphasis mine]

      So, Let's try TWO SonosOnes against TWO HomePods. Howabout THAT?

      I NEVER said that the HomePod was the CHEAPER speaker, now did I? And THAT is the ONLY criteria where your C/Net review makes it's comparison.

      So now, you have switched the argument from "Is the HomePod 'High Fidelity' " (whatever THAT means!) to "Is the HomePod more COST-EFFECTIVE than the SonosOne?"

      BZZZT! Nice try, fucktard.

    15. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      Go ahead, justify the fact it's a poor performer. We know you already live-and-breathe Apple. Go ahead, walk into a stereo shop and ask why their products don't sound as good as a HomePod. Go ahead and cheer-lead your locked in product once again, and stay on that Apple reserve!

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    16. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      SONOS One the winner. Sorry!

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    17. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      Go ahead, justify the fact it's a poor performer. We know you already live-and-breathe Apple. Go ahead, walk into a stereo shop and ask why their products don't sound as good as a HomePod. Go ahead and cheer-lead your locked in product once again, and stay on that Apple reserve!

      Man, I think the only subject we agree on is contained in your tagline.

    18. Re:Seven twiddlers and a woofer... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      SONOS One the winner. Sorry!

      And Gizmodo is some sort of Audio-centric site?

      Sorry, no. In fact, that "comparison" article is quite laughable.

      And the people who think that the HomePod has "no midrange" (which, BTW, is NOT reflected in the Freq. Resp. curves I've seen) are likely used to shitty computer-speakers, where the main drivers would be more properly placed in a full-range system as MIDRANGE drivers, and thus, those other systems have an OVERABUNDANCE of Midrange; so the HomePod sounds "deficient" by comparison.

  6. How does it sound? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Has anyone with 2 HomePods applied the update? How does it sound?

  7. Re:How does it sound? LIKE TRUMP SEX.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...with a pig!

  8. Yeah, I'm sure the same people work on both. by Brannon · · Score: 1

    Because Apple only has a few engineers.

  9. How does Apple take advantage? by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    Apple produces (generally) higher quality gear with better interconnection behavior than using other brands. Just how does that take advantage of anyone? It's not like buying Apple products you are scammed, you get what you are buying - Apple's attempt to make a product that works as well as possible for 99% of users.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:How does Apple take advantage? by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      You're talking about a speaker that costs more than twice as much as most theatre systems, yet physically it can't have the same sound range. So if not sound range, what makes a higher quality speaker? It might have more fidelity but I can't see it having twice the fidelity. Can't say I've ever had a speaker wear out on me, so longevity can't be the reason. Again, list in a religion, you're sounding like you simply have faith that the cost must be worth it *somehow* even though no one can really put their finger on what would make a speaker worth that much. Faith in Apple, that's what it's all about.

      I have a two year old macbook and I got a Thinkpad Carbon at the same time, for two different contracts. The macbook's USB-C ports are wearing out, the power cable is fraying, and the keyboard is exhibiting signs of the issues that the class action lawsuit is about. The Thinkpad pretty much behaves as it did when I got it, and I treat it a lot worse. It's just made more sturdy.

      I'm not bitter, because I didn't pay for it, but don't claim Apple products are higher quality.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    2. Re:How does Apple take advantage? by dfghjk · · Score: 1

      "You're talking about a speaker that costs more than twice as much as most theatre systems, yet physically it can't have the same sound range."

      You appear to know nothing about "most theatre systems", how much they cost, and what "sound range" is.

      The criticism of the HomePod as expensive at it's price is one of the more absurd things anyone says about Apple. Anyone who thinks $350 for a speaker is a lot doesn't know anything about the category.

    3. Re:How does Apple take advantage? by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      Ok so you are speaking from a position of knowledge. I assume you have audio quality measurements in hand that are independently done. No, you sound more like someone who has blind faith in a company telling you they are better. You come with empty insults, but no evidence to back them. Can these speakers match the bass of a full subwoofer? I didn't pretend to know. What I did say is that I have heard other similar speakers and they did not have the bass.

      Facts please. How are these speakers better and by how much? Maybe they are worth $700. I haven't ruled that out yet. The thing is, no one seems to know. All I hear is logic like, "don't worry, Apple is better".

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    4. Re: How does Apple take advantage? by chr1sb · · Score: 1

      Itâ(TM)s amazing how people love getting on the Apple-bashing bandwagon. The Google Home Max is $49 more expensive! Get a sense of perspective. Do you think that Google is also ripping people off? The HomePod is a wonderful product for those that want it. If it is not what you want, so be it. It does not make it a bad product. If you donâ(TM)t want its features, donâ(TM)t pay for them. Why should the rest of us care?

  10. "Spacious"? How about realistic reproduction. by Bing+Tsher+E · · Score: 1

    The point of stereo is better, more realistic sound reproduction. Of course, this always means there is a 'sweet spot' in the listening room, but that's sorta the point.

  11. About time, I say.... but .... by King_TJ · · Score: 1

    It really is interesting how many "little things" with iOS are probably actually more important to get fixed than these updates Apple considers a "big deal".
    I mean, the fact the HomePods didn't support stereo with a pair of them is, frankly, embarrassing - considering I've owned a couple different sets of bluetooth speakers that could do this years ago. So good for Apple it's finally been addressed. But I already skipped buying the HomePods. I own too many speaker and music solutions around here already.

    One of the updates I imagine Apple said zero about that *should* finally be in the new iOS release is improved bluetooth communications for the Escort 360 Max series of radar detectors. They've had problems with iPhones, to date, where they don't stay paired and communicating properly after you make the initial connection (when starting your car) and then break it by shutting the engine off when you stop someplace, and then get back in and continue driving.
     

    1. Re:About time, I say.... but .... by hankwang · · Score: 1

      Do you know how bluetooth stereo pairs work? I've been wondering. I'd think it's tricky to control the latency to a sub-millisecond level with a digital audio protocol.

      --
      Avantslash: low-bandwidth mobile slashdot.
  12. Re:"Spacious"? How about realistic reproduction. by dfghjk · · Score: 1

    the "point" of stereo is not to create a "sweet spot" in the room, it's a necessary consequence of it. Eliminating that "sweet spot" would be a good thing.

  13. Your iPhone 4S... by antdude · · Score: 1

    ... Is it still using its original battery? Mine is. I don't use it much. I disabled most of its features like cellular data, locations, background, etc.

    --
    Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  14. Re: "Spacious"? How about realistic reproduction. by Bing+Tsher+E · · Score: 1

    Eliminating the 'sweet spot' would be a good thing, but not at a compromise to the realism of the music reproduction. I am, of course, referring to recordings of musical performances that are naturally acoustic. Fabricated synthetic music, 'pop' or whatever other forms, don't really matter, because they are all fake from the start. Whatever squeaks and booms pleasantly then is all good. But high fidelity music reproduction, which is what stereo is for, is all about realism.