Although it has a following similar to other high end smart speakers, the Apple HomePod is still being eclipsed in the U.S. market by cheaper offerings by Amazon and Google, newly-published survey data suggests.
Media personalities have been bending over backward to find a way to square the claims made by Bloomberg in its "China Hack" story with a series of strongly worded denials from Amazon and Apple insisting that the report was "wrong and misinformed." However, there is solid evidence that Bloomberg has previously published a series of false claims before, either from a lack of research coupled with bad perspective, or possibly to simply craft a dramatic narrative.
A new report took Apple to task for updating HomePod software rather than introducing a cheaper version to compete with Amazon and Google at the bottom of the smart speaker market. However, it also revealed that Apple new product surpassed sales of 3 million devices half way through 2018, with sales accelerating from its first quarter of availability.
We can't even guarantee that there will be another Apple Special Event in October — yet that hasn't stopped, squashed, or even dented the rumors of how great it will be. AppleInsider looks at the facts behind other October events, and what could still be on the way.
Near the end of the "Gather Round" keynote Wednesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced some updated features for HomePod, including improved Siri functionality — and they have now arrived.
While the HomePod provides room-filling sound and Siri-powered smart features, there are alternatives that could provide similar features while maintaining the audio. One option is the Fluance Fi70, a Bluetooth-enabled speaker boasting power and quality that the HomePod simply cannot match.
Now the invitation is out, you could brace yourself for speculation, wild predictions, a lot of wishful thinking, and a few Apple leaks. AppleInsider examines Apple's hardware lineup, detailing what we might see — and exactly why.
New reports from the Chinese supply chain suggest that Apple will bring a new HomePod to the market in 2019 alongside an AirPods refresh — and that the 2018 iPhone lineup will be the last to incorporate 3D Touch.
New data says that Apple is now the fourth smart speaker manufacturer as measured in sales worldwide with about 700,000 HomePods sold in the quarter, about six months after its launch.
Home entertainment devices like the HomePod could be improved by analyzing the local environment and a user's actions, an Apple concept suggests, with monitoring of a room potentially able to improve gesture-based control of audio, as well as contextual responses like turning down the volume if the room is empty.
Despite making the hardware business look easy, Apple hasn't always been incredibly successful in introducing new devices. But comparing its biggest hits with its worst misses helps to isolate a secret sauce that is driving demand for the company's products globally.
This week on the AppleInsider Podcast, William and Mike talk about Apple's earnings call and how the firm may or may not be the world's first trillion-dollar company. Mike also finds a way to manage our expectations about the forthcoming Mac Pro and then breaks William's heart over the future of keyboards.
Apple's HomePod is edging its way into the U.S. smartspeaker market, but has plenty of ground to cover if it wants to catch up with industry leaders Amazon and Google.
The HomePod could enable users to place phone calls through the smart speaker, a report on a private beta for HomePod OS 12 claims, with the array of incoming new features for the audio device including the ability to use it as a speakerphone for a wirelessly-connected iPhone.
AirPlay 2, Apple's latest evolution of their wireless streaming protocol, was recently released, bringing with it an array of new features and changes. This had many wondering, will original AirPlay devices stream to AirPlay 2 speakers?
Analysts suggest the HomePod could capture ten percent of the smart speaker market by 2022, slowly catching up with its rivals as the sector itself grows exponentially.
This week on the AppleInsider PodcastVictor and Andrew talk about 5G, Intel losing Apple's modem business, and the prospect of humans reading your email.
MediaTek is potentially getting closer to potentially becoming an iPhone modem supplier, after supply chain sources of a report claim the Taiwanese manufacturer is probably going to supply Wi-Fi chips to Apple for the HomePod.
The HomePod offers great audio quality, and as a pair, fantastic stereo music playback. But are two HomePods enough to replace a soundbar in a home theater system that is half the price of a single speaker? AppleInsider finds out.
Time is running out to snap up the lowest prices anywhere on Apple hardware and accessories, from AirPods for $135 to up to $500 off MacBook Pros. Each offer also includes free shipping with no tax collected in most states, putting more money back in your pocket. Don't delay, though, as these deals end today.
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Roger Fingas
Daniel Eran Dilger
William Gallagher
Stephen Silver
Max Yuryev
Mike Wuerthele
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
Victor Marks
Christine McKee
