713: I Have Medium Hopes

The episode opens with the hosts humorously discussing the pronunciation of 'skew' and the name of Apple's new product. They analyze the 'HomeView' name, noting its similarity to past Apple naming conventions like 'iPad' and 'iPod.' The hosts express mixed feelings about the name, criticizing its lack of personality and uniqueness, and speculate on whether it will be memorable or effective from a branding standpoint. They also compare it to fictional product shapes like the iMac G4, pointing out that its design looks modern and typical but not particularly innovative.

The hosts delve into the hardware design, describing the device's resemblance to an Apple product and referencing rumors and renderings. They discuss the product's appearance, noting it looks like a cylinder with a hemispherical top, similar to a mini R2D2. They are surprised by the low price of $300, considering the inclusion of a high-quality display and speakers, and highlight how this is astonishingly affordable given the components. The discussion includes insights into the wall-mount option, accessories, and the use of materials like metal and aluminum, while critiquing the pricing strategies for wall mounts, which seem aimed at high-end or professional markets.

The hosts review the new software version, HomeView 27.2, and discuss its interface and features, including multi-user support, integration with Apple AI Siri, and security considerations. They emphasize the device’s reliance on an iPhone with Apple AI enabled for personalized experiences and highlight potential security issues, like using cameras without Face ID. They critique the product’s slow response times, and express skepticism about the AI capabilities and how well Apple will support this product long-term. The discussion covers setup processes, the curated app ecosystem, and the device’s role within the Apple ecosystem, with questions about whether it’s truly a platform or just an integrated device.

The discussion continues with inquiries into Apple's branding, the absence of a dedicated operating system name, and the product’s positioning as a platform. They analyze Apple’s marketing focus on ease of setup and integration, and the partnership with manufacturers like LG and Schneider for accessories. Concerns are raised about the security and privacy aspects of multi-user support, given the device's weak authentication methods. The hosts debate whether Apple’s approach will succeed, considering past issues with HomeKit products, and conclude that Apple seems cautiously committed to the smart home segment, with improvements but still significant gaps compared to competitors.

The hosts move on to discuss the updated HomePod Mini, now with additional lights for $150, and critique its limited hardware upgrades, including the absence of a new SOC. They see the addition of lights as mainly a gimmick, arguing that the main value remains the better sound quality in a small form factor. The conversation shifts to the new HomePod 4K, noting its high price of $300 and comparing it to less expensive alternatives. They express disappointment that Apple hasn't addressed some longstanding limitations, such as audio pass-through and lag issues, and mention that the new device’s hardware resembles previous models but with updated chips and connectivity features.

Finally, the hosts briefly mention the new HomePod mini in a different color, partnerships in the HomeKit ecosystem, and accessories like mounts and cameras. They highlight a clever LG camera feature that tilts based on presence detection, and they speculate about Apple's tight integration with third-party devices, emphasizing that many of these are still unproven in quality. The episode ends with personal plans to acquire some of the new devices, overall cautious but slightly optimistic about Apple's renewed focus on smart home products, despite lingering doubts about long-term support and functionality.