Apple's HomePod damages wooden furniture
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Apple suggests choosing a different surface.
Apple’s smart speaker, the HomePod has been receiving negative reviews for damaging wooden surfaces and the company suggests "placing it on a different surface."
The HomePod was first announced in June 2017 and was set to go on sale in December, that date was then pushed back to 2018. It has now arrived and is for sale in the US, UK and Australia. Apple and tech enthusiasts are finally getting a look at the brand’s latest creation but consumers have pointed out one issue.
Although the HomePod may fare well in regards to its features and sound, that is not what the internet is focusing on right now. Images have shown that the device leaves round white marks on wooden surfaces similar to those left by mugs or wine glasses if drink coasters aren’t used. Some have even suggested the use of a coaster.
Apple have responded by adding to their support page a section on “Cleaning and taking care of HomePod” where they confirm and explain reasons for this.
“It is not unusual for any speaker with a vibration-damping silicone base to leave mild marks when placed on some wooden surfaces. The marks can be caused by oils diffusing between the silicone base and the table surface, and will often go away after several days when the speaker is removed from the wooden surface. If not, wiping the surface gently with a soft damp or dry cloth may remove the marks. If marks persist, clean the surface with the furniture manufacturer’s recommended cleaning process. If you’re concerned about this, we recommend placing your HomePod on a different surface.”
It has yet to be seen how this will affect sales and whether it will provide an advantage to competing products such as Google Home, Amazon Echo Dot and Sonos One.
- 10 comments, 4 replies
- Comment
omg, do they even test these in real life situations? I guess antenna-gate proves they never have…
“I dunno just tell’em to wipe it or something…” #innovation
@Targaryen “You are holding it wrong”
This is all part of the machines’ plans.
Maybe you should put it in a tinfoil hat and then you can place it on a wooden surface? Oh wait. You are supposed to be wearing the tin foil hat so Apple won’t spy on you. My bad.
Did you try unplugging it, then plugging it in again?
@OldCatLady
You worked on a help desk didn’t you.
As the unit gets older, it also starts responding more and more slowly. You know, to match the progressive dementia of it’s purchasers and maintain their user experience. It’s a feature!
@shahnm That’s why the Amazon Echo Silver was created.
Silicone is a good vibration dampener. However, silicone + unsealed wood with oils in it = potential for rings.
I don’t know about the Google or Amazon products, but Sonos One also leaves marks, because, surprise, it uses silicone feet to dampen vibrations.
@curtise Sorbothane is an even better dampener, and seemingly even more destructive. Sorbothane-footed audio equipment tends to come with long disclaimers, and recommendations to line your shelf with paper or whatnot. Maybe that’s the key to dampening… more it destroys in the process, better it is…
Buy some sticky felt feet like you might use on chair legs on a wooden floor.
The official support page is either hilarious, or this is more of a nonissue than it sounds like…
Is this something furniture people know about?
It does seem like a potentially uh, sketchy thing to do, putting a heavy vibrating rubbery thing on whatever kind of unprotected wood you’d be applying oil to.