HomePod mini

[Bryn]

You must be s**ting me. Thanks @SauRoNZA @greg0205 that did the trick. Pretty big oversight on Apple's part (and iStore's part for not printing out a little setup sheet or something).

I quite like the female SA voice but I've never used it because it sounds like it's been poorly put together. A bit janky compared to the female Brit voice.

 

[SauRoNZA]

You must be s**ting me. Thanks @SauRoNZA @greg0205 that did the trick. Pretty big oversight on Apple's part (and iStore's part for not printing out a little setup sheet or something).

I quite like the female SA voice but I've never used it because it sounds like it's been poorly put together. A bit janky compared to the female Brit voice.

Yeah exactly.

It’s why we’ve been confused because since the announcement it started working on the Apple TV (was never an option before now without a US account hack) but it just doesn’t work on the Mini’s yet.

We suspect it’s because the official launch is only tomorrow and seemingly iStore started selling them early.

 

[greg0205]

You must be s**ting me. Thanks @SauRoNZA @greg0205 that did the trick. Pretty big oversight on Apple's part (and iStore's part for not printing out a little setup sheet or something).

I quite like the female SA voice but I've never used it because it sounds like it's been poorly put together. A bit janky compared to the female Brit voice.

Apple TV already has South African language support and Apple’s propaganda originally said HomePods would be available here from the 19th… I’ll be checking to see if anything changes tomorrow.

Meantime they work just fine the way you have them set up now.

And yeah, I’m not sure Core has workshopped any of this with their staff.

Asked about the power adapter when I got mine… No-one knew and they eventually ended up having to partially dismantle their display to check how their in-store demo was plugged in.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Apple TV already has South African language support and Apple’s propaganda originally said HomePods would be available here from the 19th… I’ll be checking to see if anything changes tomorrow.

Meantime they work just fine the way you have them set up now.

And yeah, I’m not sure Core has workshopped any of this with their staff.

Asked about the power adapter when I got mine… No-one knew and they eventually ended up having to partially dismantle their display to check how their in-store demo was plugged in.

What’s the issue with the power adaptor?

 

[greg0205]

What’s the issue with the power adaptor?

Nothing, other than the obsessive compulsive in me asking about a two pin adapter in the box, which became a whole derail with three iStore folks trying to figure it out... I mean I know Apple know what they're doing, but I wanted to be sure sure.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Nothing, other than the obsessive compulsive in me asking about a two pin adapter in the box, which became a whole derail with three iStore folks trying to figure it out... I mean I know Apple know what they're doing, but I wanted to be sure sure.

Did you want a 3-pin “new” SA plug with an earth?

 

[greg0205]

Did you want a 3-pin “new” SA plug with an earth?

Nope, just checking they didn't have a UK plug in there.

Like I said, I know Apple know what they're doing but I've grown accustomed to opening boxes with those weird, fold out jobbies.

 

[LegerdemainR]

Apple TV already has South African language support and Apple’s propaganda originally said HomePods would be available here from the 19th… I’ll be checking to see if anything changes tomorrow.

Meantime they work just fine the way you have them set up now.

And yeah, I’m not sure Core has workshopped any of this with their staff.

Asked about the power adapter when I got mine… No-one knew and they eventually ended up having to partially dismantle their display to check how their in-store demo was plugged in.

I’m redoing the network and all my devices at my place and I can confirm that Siri South Africa still isn’t working on the HomePod mini’s. Mine are originally grey imports, and I had them on British before this morning. It’s been driving me crazy all morning trying to figure out what was wrong.

 

[Bryn]

I’m getting pretty irritated at how Mac doesn’t work as well with AirPlay anywhere near as well as iPhone does. Often is unable to connect when selecting the HomePods from the menu bar or sound settings.

What seems to reliably fix it when it acts up is to open the Apple Music Mac app, connect to the HomePods via its AirPlay options, kill the app and then try again for the whole system. Getting on my flippen tits.

 

[Bryn]

It's now the 3rd time today that the HomePods have just stopped outputting audio from my Mac. No errors anywhere, still shows it as connected, can disconnect and reconnect, Apple Music shows music playing, but no audio unless I switch to another output. Ffs, starting to regret these hard.

The mids and highs are pretty impressive. Been playing music for a few hours today. Just wish Apple had a HomePod subwoofer you could buy to provide something resembling a low-end. Or, you know, the original HomePod. Maybe I should order a pair from eBay, seems to be plenty available at decent prices. Although now I'm concerned about connectivity issues.

 

[MichaelScarn]

It's now the 3rd time today that the HomePods have just stopped outputting audio from my Mac. No errors anywhere, still shows it as connected, can disconnect and reconnect, Apple Music shows music playing, but no audio unless I switch to another output. Ffs, starting to regret these hard.

The mids and highs are pretty impressive. Been playing music for a few hours today. Just wish Apple had a HomePod subwoofer you could buy to provide something resembling a low-end. Or, you know, the original HomePod. Maybe I should order a pair from eBay, seems to be plenty available at decent prices. Although now I'm concerned about connectivity issues.

Was about to go get a pair today. This sounds like a deal breaker. I wonder if it’s an isolated issue.

 

[SauRoNZA]

It's now the 3rd time today that the HomePods have just stopped outputting audio from my Mac. No errors anywhere, still shows it as connected, can disconnect and reconnect, Apple Music shows music playing, but no audio unless I switch to another output. Ffs, starting to regret these hard.

The mids and highs are pretty impressive. Been playing music for a few hours today. Just wish Apple had a HomePod subwoofer you could buy to provide something resembling a low-end. Or, you know, the original HomePod. Maybe I should order a pair from eBay, seems to be plenty available at decent prices. Although now I'm concerned about connectivity issues.

Oh dear lord no, I find them too bass heavy.

Sadly the reduce bass toggle is too hardcore again.

 

[ludi85]

English South Africa finally works without any errors!

 

[Bryn]

Was about to go get a pair today. This sounds like a deal breaker. I wonder if it’s an isolated issue.

If I only toggle them on as an output device on my Mac from a space that isn't playing media or doesn't have the Music app in, things seem fine. But that's a ridiculous limitation and makes it feel like a super buggy experience.

Even then, I haven't yet had a day where I can play music for many hours and not experience audio cutting out.

I wouldn't buy these again, and I don't particularly recommend them. Perhaps check out other AirPlay wireless speakers on the market.

Oh dear lord no, I find them too bass heavy.

Sadly the reduce bass toggle is too hardcore again.

Maybe both my units are duds then. They have no bass. None, nada. And I've tested a variety of genres. The low end has no presence.

 

[SauRoNZA]

If I only toggle them on as an output device on my Mac from a space that isn't playing media or doesn't have the Music app in, things seem fine. But that's a ridiculous limitation and makes it feel like a super buggy experience.

Even then, I haven't yet had a day where I can play music for many hours and not experience audio cutting out.

I wouldn't buy these again, and I don't particularly recommend them. Perhaps check out other AirPlay wireless speakers on the market.


Maybe both my units are duds then. They have no bass. None, nada. And I've tested a variety of genres. The low end has no presence.

You don't maybe have the Reduce Bass option toggles?

Have you got them directly on your desk or standing on top of something?

 

[SauRoNZA]

English South Africa finally works without any errors!

Thanks, can confirm!

 

[Bryn]

You don't maybe have the Reduce Bass option toggles?

Have you got them directly on your desk or standing on top of something?

Definitely do not have reduce bass toggled on. They're on a massive wooden desk, directly on the wood.

 

[FiestaST]

It's now the 3rd time today that the HomePods have just stopped outputting audio from my Mac. No errors anywhere, still shows it as connected, can disconnect and reconnect, Apple Music shows music playing, but no audio unless I switch to another output. Ffs, starting to regret these hard.

The mids and highs are pretty impressive. Been playing music for a few hours today. Just wish Apple had a HomePod subwoofer you could buy to provide something resembling a low-end. Or, you know, the original HomePod. Maybe I should order a pair from eBay, seems to be plenty available at decent prices. Although now I'm concerned about connectivity issues.

9to5Mac dropped this article just now, looks like it was a progressive device.

Apple unveiled 2022's best smart speaker in 2017 - 9to5Mac

Five years ago, Apple unveiled what I unequivocally consider the best smart speaker of 2022. It was late to the...

9to5mac.com

 

[SauRoNZA]

Definitely do not have reduce bass toggled on. They're on a massive wooden desk, directly on the wood.

Weird.

I’m not a big bass head but reckon I can still judge when it’s lacking or overbearing.

Also played my MacBook output to the HomePod Mini all day and didn’t have a single issue or disconnect.

In fact I was surprised every time I stepped away and came back confused about why it wasn’t coming from where I was expecting.

Should have done my Slack Huddle with it too. Missed opportunity.

 

[AfricanTech]

If I only toggle them on as an output device on my Mac from a space that isn't playing media or doesn't have the Music app in, things seem fine. But that's a ridiculous limitation and makes it feel like a super buggy experience.

Even then, I haven't yet had a day where I can play music for many hours and not experience audio cutting out.

I wouldn't buy these again, and I don't particularly recommend them. Perhaps check out other AirPlay wireless speakers on the market.


Maybe both my units are duds then. They have no bass. None, nada. And I've tested a variety of genres. The low end has no presence.

Do you have access to another MacBook to test?