I too like my Chromebook (Asus Chromebook Flip). It's the footprint of the old netbooks, yet thinner, and it has a usable keyboard (I'm typing on it right now), it has a touchscreen and can be flipped backward and used as a tablet (which I never do, but still). It's more than adequate for what I actually use a computer for (internet surfing, basically).

Finally got around to standing up my Google WiFi mesh network. It took a lot less time that I expected. So far so good signal wise. 2 on the first floor, 1 upstairs. I might need a 4th in the basement, but I will move them around to see what works best.

FWIW - If I do think I need another point, I will get a Google Home because they flipped a soft switch that makes it another node in the mesh network, and it is the same price as a puck (your eternal soul).

I have the Google WiFi as well. No dead spots in my 3000 sq ft house.

HomePod price seems a little ridiculous? I guess if it rivals a Sonos Play3 (299) then it's not so bad but at Play 1 size and almost twice the cost (349 vs 199) I'm a little suspect.

it seems really dumb

JUburton wrote:HomePod price seems a little ridiculous? I guess if it rivals a Sonos Play3 (299) then it's not so bad but at Play 1 size and almost twice the cost (349 vs 199) I'm a little suspect.

Still, it was tough to evaluate the HomePod on its own, and I didn’t realize just how good it sounded until I heard a nearby Sonos 3 speaker playing the same songs. The Sonos sounded OK, but the sound wasn’t nearly as rich as the HomePod [and] the Echo sounded like someone was singing through a tin can a mile away. It isn’t even in the same league as the HomePod or Sonos.

More early reviews compiled here: https://9to5mac.com/2017/06/06/homepod- ... lity-hifi/

For me, just the fact that it supposedly connects to Apple devices as easily as the Airpods justifies the $50 premium. I have a wireless speaker and I fucking hate it

Why?

to pac

seems like a lot more money just to get yet another apple product

if this sounds as good as they're saying, $349 for a wireless smart speaker really isn't that. If you don't care about the sound as much, yeah, you can pay less for something that sounds tinny

I mean yeah, if it beats a Sonos then sure. The Google Home/Echo comparisons are sort of dumb since it costs 3x but I get what they're saying. Real question is if it works with Spotify, etc.

there's a whole plethora of chromecast enabled wireless speakers and powered speakers that you can put a chromecast audio wifi dongle in. why should you pay 350 for one that only works with the apple-sphere?

bc that's what apple users do. and it's stand-alone. I have an audio chromecast, but if you don't already have the speaker it's pointless. this is self-contained and supposedly sounds amazing. IDK, maybe I'm used to Apple pricing, but $350 really doesn't seem bad to me, especially if the sound is that great

you know what would sound great? if you just stfu

Ok Google, tell Calvin to go fuck himself

for real though, i am with jtk. apple has their hook deep in your mouth it would seem.

No, i only use an ipad. I have a Samsung Galaxy phone, Fire TV, Google Home, and an audio chromecast. I mean, people pay for sound bars that won't sound as good as this, and the sound bar doesn't do anything else.

It's the same exact conversation every time Apple releases anything

Apple has recreated themselves as a luxury brand in the otherwise commoditized consumer electronics market, and it really TRIGGERS the haters

The Dude wrote:bc that's what apple users do. and it's stand-alone. I have an audio chromecast, but if you don't already have the speaker it's pointless. this is self-contained and supposedly sounds amazing. IDK, maybe I'm used to Apple pricing, but $350 really doesn't seem bad to me, especially if the sound is that great

Color me incredibly skeptical that it can compete with Sonos sound quality. I mean, Apple can't even make headphones that people like.

I heard a youtube technical review of it this afternoon. Sounds very slick- directional mics, each tweeter has a separate driver so the sound can be properly 'aimed', based on a sonic assessment of the room. Maybe I'll get one for my car because that's the only place I can listen to music with the volume higher than 4