AP
Apple HomePod
I wouldn't call myself an Apple loyalist, exactly - even though I'm typing these words on my MacBook while listening to music on my Beats wireless headphones.
(I have an iPhone and and Apple Watch, too.)
It's just that a few years ago I decided that if I wanted a new gadget, it was easiest to just buy Apple. All of Apple's stuff works well together, mostly. The more Apple stuff I buy, the more it makes sense for my next big tech purchase to be Apple.
More generally, I find that Apple getting into a market - like tablets, or smartwatches - is a good signal that the technology is ready for real consumers, not just early adopters.
But this time around, I'm passing on the HomePod, Apple's new $350 smart speaker. It's the first major Apple product I've passed on in a while.
Here's why: