In the not-so-distant past, we enlisted the help of a contractor to transform our basement into a sophisticated multimedia room, complete with all the trimmings. This renovation allowed me to relocate my beloved record collection and turntable from the living room, much to the relief of my wife, who felt like she was residing in the domain of a bohemian artist. Now situated in the basement, I could indulge in my passion for music without any restrictions.
However, I still desired to enjoy music while performing everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning upstairs. Therefore, in November 2020, I made the decision to invest $299 in an Apple HomePod speaker to replace my records and turntable. Being an Apple-centric family with iPhones and iPads as our primary devices, and with all my digital music locked away on an ancient iMac since 2010, the HomePod seemed like the ideal choice.
From a sound quality perspective, the HomePod delivered exceptional performance across various genres such as jazz, rock, hip-hop, ’80s dance hits, and ambient tunes. The bass was robust, and the midrange tones were crisp and clear. It outperformed the inexpensive Bluetooth speakers I had previously used and even surpassed the renowned Sonos systems.
However, the software and overall user experience left much to be desired. The HomePod struggled with my diverse collection of digital files from different sources, including ripped CDs, vinyl records, iTunes downloads, and songs added from Apple Music. It often faltered when confronted with songs that were not available on Apple Music. A plausible explanation could be that it attempted to stream everything from the cloud rather than directly from my phone via Bluetooth. While I managed to find a few workarounds, they were not foolproof, leading to occasional interruptions in the middle of a song. Despite this annoyance, the HomePod’s impressive audio quality and sleek appearance, resembling a mysterious black cylinder in our living room, convinced us to tolerate these issues.
However, a few nights ago, disaster struck. The HomePod ceased to function entirely. It vanished from my home network and refused to turn on or display anything. Exhausting all troubleshooting methods suggested by Apple’s support site, I finally conceded and scheduled an appointment at the nearby Apple Store’s Genius Bar for assistance.
I explained the situation to the service technician, who promptly plugged in the HomePod, tapped a few times on the screen, confirmed its demise, and checked her iPad for potential solutions.
“In the store, we don’t repair HomePods,” she informed me. “We only replace them.”
Unfortunately, they wouldn’t replace mine since it had exceeded the AppleCare warranty. I inquired if they could send it off-site for repairs or recommend an alternative repair service, but to no avail. However, she was more than willing to sell me a new HomePod for $279, accompanied by a mere 90-day warranty.
Interrupting what appeared to be her scripted AppleCare upsell pitch, a thought crossed my mind. Perhaps I could salvage something from the defunct HomePod before consigning it to the landfill. Maybe Apple could refurbish and resell it, similar to their approach with old iPhones for several years now. I posed the question, “Could I receive any compensation towards an exchange?”
“Just recycling,” she responded curtly.
Thus, the gorgeous $300 speaker I had purchased less than three years ago possessed a value no greater than the rare earth metals within it. On the bright side, it made for a solid doorstop due to its substantial weight.
Seeking alternative options, I searched online once again to determine if Apple had any hidden repair avenues. Unfortunately, it merely redirected me back to the local Apple Store, proving unhelpful.
Although I don’t have any profound revelations stemming from this experience, it did reinforce my waning enthusiasm for Apple products in recent years. The iPhone remains a remarkable invention, surpassing any Android phone I have ever used. However, after over 15 years, we have become accustomed to their presence. Each year’s improvements seem increasingly marginal and iterative. I find myself purchasing new iPhones solely due to habit, only when the old ones falter. The Apple Store, once a temple of technology with a captivating array of beautiful gadgets and passionate staff eager to aid in their utilization and repair, now resembles a car rental counter, prioritizing swift transactions with as many add-on services as possible.
Undoubtedly, Apple retains its position as a profitable force in the tech industry, with many of its products continuing to evoke devotion, such as the AirPods (although I prefer over-the-ear Beats) and Apple Watch. However, the original HomePod always seemed like a peculiar venture. It appeared to be a rushed attempt to capitalize on the sudden popularity of Amazon’s Alexa speaker. Now that this fad has subsided, it seems Apple’s interest in the product has waned. Buyer beware.
As of now, an Apple spokesperson has not responded to a request for comment regarding the company’s repair policies for HomePods.
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