New HomePod less of a rumor and more of a developer heads-up. Came from their dev conference this appears to be the source
For the privacy concerned, a VERY trivial overview (of what you can find out from a basic search):
This has a microphone and is a SIRI device.
Apple has a stated privacy policy and an advertising opt-out information sharing (same as other siri devices like the iPhone)
Data is encrypted
The basic takeaway is that it's a standard "smart speaker" with a general basic effort to not be leaky with private data.
Pick your level of paranoia: I mean this earnestly because it's your choice and there's no wrong answer with regard to keeping your mind at ease . . .
For price, at $300, these are a joke but at this price, if you have to scratch the "gotta buy it" itch, pretty good deal.
A 'better sound option' used to be the Airport Express with a 3.5mm jack and AirPlay where you could send it music via AirPlay, but, alas 2018 they discontinued them.
New HomePod less of a rumor and more of a developer heads-up. Came from their dev conference this appears to be the source
For the privacy concerned, a VERY trivial overview (of what you can find out from a basic search):
This has a microphone and is a SIRI device.
Apple has a stated privacy policy and an advertising opt-out information sharing (same as other siri devices like the iPhone)
Data is encrypted
The basic takeaway is that it's a standard "smart speaker" with a general basic effort to not be leaky with private data.
Pick your level of paranoia: I mean this earnestly because it's your choice and there's no wrong answer with regard to keeping your mind at ease . . .
For price, at $300, these are a joke but at this price, if you have to scratch the "gotta buy it" itch, pretty good deal.
A 'better sound option' used to be the Airport Express with a 3.5mm jack and AirPlay where you could send it music via AirPlay, but, alas 2018 they discontinued them.
New HomePod less of a rumor and more of a developer heads-up. Came from their dev conference this appears to be the source
For the privacy concerned, a VERY trivial overview (of what you can find out from a basic search):
This has a microphone and is a SIRI device.
Apple has a stated privacy policy and an advertising opt-out information sharing (same as other siri devices like the iPhone)
Data is encrypted
The basic takeaway is that it's a standard "smart speaker" with a general basic effort to not be leaky with private data.
Pick your level of paranoia: I mean this earnestly because it's your choice and there's no wrong answer with regard to keeping your mind at ease . . .
For price, at $300, these are a joke but at this price, if you have to scratch the "gotta buy it" itch, pretty good deal.
A 'better sound option' used to be the Airport Express with a 3.5mm jack and AirPlay where you could send it music via AirPlay, but, alas 2018 they discontinued them.
Been waiting for an AirPort Express/Extreme replacement ever since Apple discontinued them but I highly doubt there will ever be a successor.
The networking industry needs someone like Apple so they can step up their game
Been waiting for an AirPort Express/Extreme replacement ever since Apple discontinued them but I highly doubt there will ever be a successor.
The networking industry needs someone like Apple so they can step up their game
That would be Unifi, or Eero if you want something simpler.
Ubiquiti never had a simple set up until the Dream Router launched so now it's a contender. Every networking issue I've had was solved once I jumped from Google Wifi & TP-Link to Unifi. I've seen good things about Eero tho as well. Mccanntech is the go to for networking tests. Don't hold your breath for Apple to get back into networking.
Trying to resist getting an orange one as I really don't need another HomePod mini, but have been wanting an orange one forever and they only just started becoming available again.
That would be Unifi, or Eero if you want something simpler.
Ubiquiti never had a simple set up until the Dream Router launched so now it's a contender. Every networking issue I've had was solved once I jumped from Google Wifi & TP-Link to Unifi. I've seen good things about Eero tho as well. Mccanntech is the go to for networking tests. Don't hold your breath for Apple to get back into networking.
Not the other poster, but jumping in. I haven't worked with Eero yet, but it has been temping. Maybe with Prime day coming up.
I am still running Airport Exteme in AP mode, with Uniquiti nano station bridge to the garage and front ended by an EdgeRouter lite. I have used the UBNT AP's, and while they are good, they are not crazy stable, nothing like AirPort Extreme or enterprise gear. Fits in that soho space about right. AirPort Extreme was always essentially enterprise class for the consumer market. Multiple spacial streams, solid features and real throughput, it's just really old at this point. Entirely outpaced by modern equipment.
Thank for the tip on Mccanntech, I am not sure that I've seen it.
Also, to stay on topic…. $80 for a HomePod mini is decent, I think on pace with last years Black Friday two pack bundle.
I heard these don't support Spotify directly as in only through Air Play? Did they ever update to support Spotify? Was planning on using these to stream music in my room.
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New HomePod less of a rumor and more of a developer heads-up. Came from their dev conference this appears to be the source
For the privacy concerned, a VERY trivial overview (of what you can find out from a basic search):
This has a microphone and is a SIRI device.
Apple has a stated privacy policy and an advertising opt-out information sharing (same as other siri devices like the iPhone)
Data is encrypted
The basic takeaway is that it's a standard "smart speaker" with a general basic effort to not be leaky with private data.
Pick your level of paranoia: I mean this earnestly because it's your choice and there's no wrong answer with regard to keeping your mind at ease . . .
For price, at $300, these are a joke but at this price, if you have to scratch the "gotta buy it" itch, pretty good deal.A 'better sound option' used to be the Airport Express with a 3.5mm jack and AirPlay where you could send it music via AirPlay, but, alas 2018 they discontinued them.
For the privacy concerned, a VERY trivial overview (of what you can find out from a basic search):
This has a microphone and is a SIRI device.
Apple has a stated privacy policy and an advertising opt-out information sharing (same as other siri devices like the iPhone)
Data is encrypted
The basic takeaway is that it's a standard "smart speaker" with a general basic effort to not be leaky with private data.
Pick your level of paranoia: I mean this earnestly because it's your choice and there's no wrong answer with regard to keeping your mind at ease . . .
For price, at $300, these are a joke but at this price, if you have to scratch the "gotta buy it" itch, pretty good deal.
A 'better sound option' used to be the Airport Express with a 3.5mm jack and AirPlay where you could send it music via AirPlay, but, alas 2018 they discontinued them.
$300? These are $99 normally.
HomePod mini
For the privacy concerned, a VERY trivial overview (of what you can find out from a basic search):
This has a microphone and is a SIRI device.
Apple has a stated privacy policy and an advertising opt-out information sharing (same as other siri devices like the iPhone)
Data is encrypted
The basic takeaway is that it's a standard "smart speaker" with a general basic effort to not be leaky with private data.
Pick your level of paranoia: I mean this earnestly because it's your choice and there's no wrong answer with regard to keeping your mind at ease . . .
For price, at $300, these are a joke but at this price, if you have to scratch the "gotta buy it" itch, pretty good deal.A 'better sound option' used to be the Airport Express with a 3.5mm jack and AirPlay where you could send it music via AirPlay, but, alas 2018 they discontinued them.
Been waiting for an AirPort Express/Extreme replacement ever since Apple discontinued them but I highly doubt there will ever be a successor.
The networking industry needs someone like Apple so they can step up their game
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
The networking industry needs someone like Apple so they can step up their game
Ubiquiti never had a simple set up until the Dream Router launched so now it's a contender. Every networking issue I've had was solved once I jumped from Google Wifi & TP-Link to Unifi. I've seen good things about Eero tho as well. Mccanntech is the go to for networking tests. Don't hold your breath for Apple to get back into networking.
Ubiquiti never had a simple set up until the Dream Router launched so now it's a contender. Every networking issue I've had was solved once I jumped from Google Wifi & TP-Link to Unifi. I've seen good things about Eero tho as well. Mccanntech is the go to for networking tests. Don't hold your breath for Apple to get back into networking.
I am still running Airport Exteme in AP mode, with Uniquiti nano station bridge to the garage and front ended by an EdgeRouter lite. I have used the UBNT AP's, and while they are good, they are not crazy stable, nothing like AirPort Extreme or enterprise gear. Fits in that soho space about right. AirPort Extreme was always essentially enterprise class for the consumer market. Multiple spacial streams, solid features and real throughput, it's just really old at this point. Entirely outpaced by modern equipment.
Thank for the tip on Mccanntech, I am not sure that I've seen it.
Also, to stay on topic…. $80 for a HomePod mini is decent, I think on pace with last years Black Friday two pack bundle.