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kscherer
Which way is up?
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Boyzeee
 
2018-02-15, 14:12

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brave Ulysses View Post
Re: Apple ID requirement


Interesting that you mention that as it seems to be an issue that has apple’s own demo models in their retail stores very hamstrung. I went to try it out and they have iPad set up next to the HomePod, presumably to use to play music but the iPad repeatedly requested a password for a Apple ID account and was unusable.

I’m shocked at how poor of a demo setup Apple has in their retail stores. The rooms are typically too big and boomy and loud so you definitely do not appreciate the sound. There were no instructions on how to use or interact with the HomePod. The iPad adjacent to it had pricing info on the HomePod but didn’t work with the HomePod and despite the store being crowded not a single other customer besides myself showed interest in the HomePod. I was there for probably 20 minutes and not once did an Apple employee approach me or ask if I had questions.

And hey Siri did not work well at all with all of the store noise. I suspect Apple is doing some complex noise cancellation on the music it plays to hear hey Siri but it doesn’t seem as effective with a lot of external ambient noise not produced by the HomePod.
Yeah, it took us quite a while to figure out how to demo the fool thing. Apple has this Kiosk software installed on all demos that makes the demo units much more consistent and hassle-free. We love it. Unfortunately, it does not work with the HomePod. My guess as to why your demo was poor has to do with that Kiosk software on the iPad. And, yes, lots of background noise seems to give Siri a headache. It works very well when the room is reasonably quiet. That being said, I think it will struggle a bit if you have a party going on.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Matsu View Post
I'm right in the middle of a major re-modelling, floors, walls, layout, so I've been looking at all the various smart systems out there before we close it all up - HVAC, audio, lighting, security, etc... I'll probably drop some precautionary speaker wire into the two future home theatre locations, but I wonder if, as devices like homepod improve, it's really worth it to go through the trouble of hard-wiring anything?

Seems like it would be perfect for bedrooms, study/den, and kitchen, rather than a more complex system from multiple components.
Put lots of Ethernet in your walls. Think of all the locations you might want a thing, and drop in a line. The wire and boxes are dirt cheap, and makes no sense not to have it done while you have the walls open.

As far as surround sound is concerned, I have added it to the last two homes I have remodeled (I do all the work myself) and have put in surround in both places. So far, I have not used it in either place. We are now in the process of a third remodel, and two things are certain: 1) Ethernet goes wherever I think I might add a computer/printer/Apple TV/etc.; and 2) I am not putting in surround sound this time. Or a doorbell wire, either.

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