Re:Apple’s Stumbling HomePod Isn’t the Hot Seller It Wanted
by bb88 on Saturday April 14, 2018 @07:36PM
(#16840198)
> The Home Pod, and Siri more specifically, simply cant compete in the "Home Assistant" space on either a technological nor price front.
I'm not big on Apple products these days, but I disagree.
Today's Apple is as much of a "brand" company as it is a technology company. Apple products have recognizable features, e.g. white cords for ear buds, the shiny Apple logo on the new mac books, etc. Apple wants you to remember you're using their brand almost as much as you enjoy their technology.
That said, the home pod almost looks like it came out of Google/Nest. In fact the top view reminds me of the Nest smoke alarm. There's nothing really "Apple" about it.
But, I think they are different markets. The Home Pod, and Siri more specifically, simply cant compete in the "Home Assistant" space on either a technological nor price front.
Honestly, I would be more interested on Margins and Development costs to bring to production - because it does feel like a product that has a very small core target demographic (apple ecosystem audiophiles(?) not concerned with AI capacity outside of tuning for sound).