An apparent bug has left some HomePod owners unable to get their new Apple smart speakers up and running. Complaints about a mysterious “Setup Failed -6722” error message surfaced soon after HomePod launched last Friday.
If you’re a home automation fan, then you’re going to love Apple’s new HomePod speaker. Not only can you use it to control your HomeKit setup with your voice using Siri, but you can also use the speaker as a Home Hub. That means that you can leave it at home taking care of business, letting you dial in to tweak things from wherever you are in the world.
In the first reviews for Apple’s new HomePod speaker, everyone totally raves about the smart speaker’s pristine sound quality. Siri, on the other hand, doesn’t sound so brilliant. Many critics argue that Siri sucks compared to other voice assistants, highlighting its struggles with accuracy and responsiveness.
Apple seeded a few review units to major outlets ahead of this Friday’s HomePod launch. The embargo lifted this morning, and the early reviews reveal a few surprising tidbits about the HomePod.
Here’s what people are saying:
Apple has rolled out its first public beta of iOS 11.3, just a day after its first developer release.
The update brings a whole host of new features, including new Animoji for iPhone X, Business Chat for iMessage, Messages in iCloud, and more.
New icons uncovered in the latest iOS 11.2.5 developer build confirm that, yes, HomePod owners will be able to disable the microphone on Apple’s smart speaker should so they wish to do so.
Given Apple’s privacy-conscious policies, and the fact that rival speakers made by Amazon and Google allow the same to be done, it’s no surprise that Apple would make that an option on HomePod. Still, it could help ease fears among customers concerned about the risk of housing an “always listening” speaker in their homes.
The device is called The Remote, but those familiar with the company behind it probably could have predicted it would not look anything like a remote control.
Nanoleaf, creators of smart light-panels that give any room a futuristic glow, unveiled a 12-side geometric table-top object at CES Tuesday that will work with Apple HomeKit-enabled smart home devices.
It’s easier than ever to control your HomeKit devices thanks to the Fibaro Button. You can use it to shutdown all your smart devices with just a tap, or to trigger a scene in an instant. It’s small and simple, yet surprisingly powerful.
This week on The CultCast: Shakeup at Apple! In a surprising turn of events, Jony Ive takes back the reigns of the Apple design team. We discuss what this means for Apple. Plus: The new iMac Pro is out, and the reviews are coming in. We’ll tell you what’s new about this beastly machine with a monster price tag. And we wrap with what Apple got right 2017, and what the company needs to do better in 2018! It’s been a wild year.
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Apple released a brand new iOS 11 update for the iPad and iPhone this morning that makes some big fixes to HomeKit.
iOS 11.2.1 comes a little over a week after Apple dropped iOS 11.2 on the public bringing Apple Pay Cash and a host of bug fixes. The new update is being released along with tvOS 11.2.1 to restore some HomeKit functionality after Apple patched a bug server-side earlier this week.
Apple built its trillion-dollar reputation delivering beautiful hardware that turned tedious tasks into magical experiences. But, a recent string of ridiculous bugs put Cupertino in a precarious position: If Apple doesn’t stop the screw-ups, it could permanently sully its good name.
In this week’s issue, you’ll find that story and more. Learn how to track package deliveries on iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch. Check out our Gift Giving Guides and get your holiday shopping out of the way now! Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.
A huge vulnerability within Apple’s HomeKit software has been discovered that potentially could have allowed attackers to gain access to smart accessories like locks and garage doors.
The zero-day vulnerability was reportedly patched by Apple within the last few days but certainly shows that HomeKit might be quite as secure as some users think.
The official launch of Apple Pay Cash is finally here and you can even use it to send friends money from your Apple Watch.
Apple released watchOS 4.2 to the public today, bringing a host of new features and bug fixes, including support for the new Apple Pay Cash feature that started trickling out to iPhone users yesterday.
This week on The CultCast: Live in the home of the future, today! We’ll tell you how with iOS 11’s huge improvements in the Home app and HomeKit. Plus: There’s a new Apple ID phishing scam you need to know about; there’s been a disappointing development with Apple’s AR glasses; we have to talk about the hundreds of new emoji coming at you in iOS 11.1; and we’ve got a svelte iPhone 8 case, a MacBook Pro sleeve made from real sheep, and a new power brick that’ll charge your MacBook, iPhone, Nintendo Switch — everything!— in an all-new Under Review.
Sonos’ new voice-activated Sonos One smart speaker will work with Amazon’s Alexa assistant when it ships later this month, and will add support for Apple’s new AirPlay 2 streaming protocol next year.
The new smart speaker, which will ship Oct. 24, places an emphasis on high-end audio. With its $199 price point and promised compatibility with multiple platforms, it should put pressure on Apple’s upcoming HomePod, which costs nearly twice as much.
Ikea’s smart lighting range is now compatible with HomeKit. The company rolled out an update for its wireless hub today that adds the feature, as well as Google Home and Amazon Alexa integration.
This week on The CultCast: Why Apple’s making an iPhone Pro, a tech-packed cutting-edge phone that will showcase what Cupertino is capable of. Plus: Genius Bar jackpot! (Or, why Apple sometimes replaces your old, broken gear for a brand new model.) And stick around for a super-powerful electric long board, a HomeKit-enabled ceiling fan, and a pro-level keyboard case for your iPad Pro in an all-new Under Review.
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By Erin Coduti, DealNews
Amazon has held a Prime Day shopping event for the past two years, and we’re predicting a three-peat in 2017. So when is Amazon Prime Day 2017 going to happen, and what deals can you expect? Read on to find out.
Apple’s 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference is set to kick off in just a few short hours, and rumors indicate we could be in for the iPhone-maker’s most action-packed keynote in years.
Not only is Apple expected to unveil iOS 11, macOS 10.13, tvOS 11 and watchOS 4, but today’s event could also showcase some fresh new hardware. Cult of Mac will be here to liveblog all the festivities with up-to-the-minute analysis on all the new software, hardware and more.
Tim Cook and company take the stage today at 10 a.m. Pacific in San Jose, California, but we’ll be kicking off the fun a little early. Come join the action!
This week, on The CultCast: rumors point to a big iPhone 8 price hike. What’s the max you would pay? Plus: Intel makes a huge move to push Thunderbolt into the mainstream; Ikea about to drop tons of great HomeKit gadgets on us; DJI’s Spark selfie drone is a compact powerhouse; we’ll tell you about our favorite smart lights; and we’ll tell you about the weird and whacky gadgets we’re reviewing in an all-new Under Review!
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Logitech’s neat little Pop buttons, which bring simple controls to your smart home devices, now work with Apple HomeKit.
The latest Pop kit, available exclusively from the Apple store and Apple.com, comes with the bridge device you’ll need to integrate Pop buttons into your network.
Apple is continuing to broaden the number of HomeKit-compatible devices available it sells, with D-Link’s new smart home security camera system now available through its online store.
The $199.95 Omna 180 Cam HD boasts a 1080p night vision camera, with two-way audio and 180-degree field of view, capable of sending video notifications to your iPhone or iPad whenever motion is detected.
Tim Cook is living the Jetsons lifestyle — minus the jetpack and flying car — thanks to Siri and the growing number of HomeKit devices on the market.
The Apple CEO offered a rare glimpse into his private life Tuesday during Apple’s quarterly financial report, painting a picture of techno-utopian comfort and ease. It was Cook’s most personal world-beating earnings call ever, and it sent a message: Apple is serious about home automation.
The jury’s still out on whether HomeKit will really take over our homes and all the smart devices in them, but new HomeKit-compatible devices continue to pop up all the time. At CES 2017 in Las Vegas this week, vendors showed off a bunch of them, from light switches to security cameras.
Here’s our roundup of the best.
Accessory maker Elgato unveiled its new Thunderbolt 3 Dock at CES, offering a way for users to connect a pair of 4K displays to their new MacBook Pro, in addition to plenty of other legacy connection options.
Costing $299, it promises to stand in for the plethora of dongles you’ll need as the tech world makes the jump to Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C.
Apple’s HomeKit platform is set to power an entire community currently under construction in San Jose.
Real estate development firm KB Home revealed today that its new community, Promenade at Communications Hill, will be the first ever in the US to have HomeKit technology built-in, providing a seamless experience from the foundation up.