Some of HomePod’s key features won’t be available at launch

These features are already offered by some of Apple’s biggest competitors, including Sonos, which has made a name for itself in the high-end speaker market. Google’s suite of Home speakers also support multi-room audio, while its Home Max can be paired with another Home Max to create more immersive stereo sound.

Apple clearly sees multi-room audio and stereo support as features geared toward enthusiasts, which could be why they’re not available at launch. The company likely wants to perfect these features before pushing them out.

Then again, at $349, the HomePod is more of an enthusiast product, so the fact that these features aren’t available right away is hugely disappointing.

Apple has recently made it a habit of delaying or launching products that aren’t 100 percent finished. As an example, iOS 11 hit last September without AirPlay 2, Apple Pay Cash, or iCloud Messages. Only one of those features has launched since iOS 11 became available.

Considering the HomePod’s sole job is to play music, the fact that it doesn’t match the features already available in competing products is very notable. Apple assures us these features are coming, but for $349, consumers will likely be upset—and rightfully so—that they’re not available from day one.

HomePod will arrive in stores beginning February 9.

Article source: https://www.technobuffalo.com/2018/01/24/some-of-homepods-key-features-wont-be-available-at-launch/