Apple HomePod repairs will cost almost as much as a new device without AppleCare+

[Polycount]

Apple's long-awaited Apple HomePod launched on Friday to some mixed reviews. While the device has been praised for its excellent sound quality, it's been criticized for locking users into Apple's ecosystem - indeed, for the time being, you can only set the smart speaker up if you already own an iOS 11-based device.

However, it now seems that repair costs will be yet another drawback of the HomePod. Recently, 9to5Mac reported Apple would be willing to replace HomePod cables for $29 if they were damaged, though Apple believes such a repair will be a "rare instance."

If users happen to damage the HomePod as a whole, the repair cost goes up considerably to a whopping $279 for US-based users, £268 for UK users and $399 for Australian HomePod owners.

It's possible to reduce this cost by signing up for the AppleCare+ device protection program for a one-time payment of $49. AppleCare+ extends the HomePod's warranty to two years and knocks down the cost of future repairs to a mere $29 each.

It's clear that Apple would prefer their users purchase AppleCare+ but slapping such a hefty repair cost on out-of-warranty HomePods may not sit well with everybody. That said, so far the HomePod seems like a fairly durable little device, so most users may never need to make the choice to begin with.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/73237-apple-homepod-repairs-cost-almost-much-new-device.html

 

[Lailoken]

I do not understand the appeal of smart speakers at all.

 

[Scodd]

I do not understand the appeal of smart speakers at all.

Yeah, it is puzzling. I see the same people complaining about all the public and private CCTVs, the red light cameras and metal detectors while they talk on the smart phone, then pay for an enormous white chocolate latte with it, check their Plex recording schedule on it, watch their new Belgian nanny on their company supplied laptop, all the while browsing facebook and techspot with the same laptop, then checking if they left their back porch light on, again with their phone, while driving down the tollway to get home, asking Alexa to play the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald as they walk in their front door, complaining about feeling vulnerable, worried about the eye in the sky and that damn red light camera as they turn on the cable box and sit down in front of it.

 

[Uncle Al]

The only think smart about those speakers goes to those that fold their cash in half and put it back into their pockets ......

 

[Kibaruk]

Well Apple "smart"speaker is not really smart unless you pair it with something else that will do the smart functions.

On the other hand, and as an Amazon Echo owner, before couldn't see it either so got one to try out. To me it's super useful and an amazing assistant to have. That being said it might not be for everyone.