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Showing posts with label Apple HomePod. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apple HomePod. Show all posts

Friday, December 14, 2018

12/14/2018 04:07:00 PM

Wow Amazing Deal alert: Apple's HomePod speaker is $100 off for the holidays

This device is small, can fill an office with booming sound, and it's compatible with AirPlay 2.


It's the holidays, which means everyone is overwhelmed with all the "deals" available. There are so many that, at times, you've probably wondered whether they really are good bargains. Well, we have one for you that truly is a sale worth checking out. And the best part is it's an Apple device.

Apple is notoriously stingy when it comes to discounting its products. For Black Friday, for instance, it typically opts out, or if it does hold a sale, it'll merely offer gift cards with purchase. But that doesn't mean other retailers aren't offering reduced Apple goods. Enter B&H Photo, which is offering the Apple HomePod for $249 -- a whopping $100 off its usual price.

This retailer has a limited supply in both black and white color choices, but at the time of publishing, the deal is still available. For comparison, Apple's refurbished HomePod models are only $50 reduced. Both Amazon and Google do offer much cheap alternative smart speakers, but if you're hooked on Apple and its ecosystem, this deal is a no-brainer.

In our review of the HomePod, we really liked it. Being able to add reminders, listen to Apple Music, and control HomeKit accessories is something we've always wanted, though the idea of being further locked deeper into Apple's ecosystem did make us hesitate.

Still, this device is small, can fill an office with booming sound, and it's compatible with AirPlay 2. If you've been waiting to get one, better jump on this now. It's the lowest price you'll find -- that is, until the next holiday season rolls around. To be clear, a few different places sold the HomePod at this price during Black Friday. But those were brief sales.

So, best hurry before B&H runs out of stock.

For more great deals on devices, gadgetry, and technology for your enterprise, business, or home office, see ZDNet's Business Bargain Hunter blog. Affiliate disclosure: ZDNet earns commission from the products and services featured on this page.




Tuesday, July 24, 2018

7/24/2018 02:00:00 AM

Apple’s HomePod update will finally let you make calls

Phone home

Apple’s HomePod

Apple’s HomePod smart speaker is reportedly getting a number of new features in an upcoming update, including the ability to (finally) make and receive calls.

iGeneration reported on the iOS 12 update, which is currently in public beta, meaning there may still be more to come to Apple devices as the update is finalized.

25 new iOS 12 features that Apple didn’t tell us about
The calling feature is likely to attract the most attention, allowing users to link their iPhones to the HomePod to make calls to mobile and landline numbers. The HomePod was light on functionality when it launched in late 2017, and Apple is presumably hoping the new features will help shift more units of the device.

The report also pointed to improved translation features, tracking features for locating your iPhone, and the ability to switch WiFi networks without entirely resetting the device.

All the kids are doing it

In contrast to the HomePod, Amazon’s Echo range of smart speakers is already able to make calls and send text messages to other Alexa-enabled devices. 

Users in the United States can also now expand this capability with the Amazon Echo Connect, an Echo accessory that enables you to make calls to standard landlines and mobile phones, including international and emergency calls – with an expectation that the accessory will come to the UK and Europe in the coming months.