HomePod plug connector

[cjbryce]

Such a shame. Who in their right mind wants an ugly lead traipsing down the front of a counter/shelf to the plug socket!?

1. Simply cut the plug off and then dispose of it carefully, if, as in the UK, it has a fuse, remove the fuse.
2. Thread the cable where you want it to go
3. Fit a new plug
4. Plug it in

The idea of moulded plugs is nice and I think it was introduced to prevent manufacturers skimping and those with no electrical knowledge wiring them up wrongly. However, it's really easy. Google is your friend.

 

[AdamA9]

1. Simply cut the plug off and then dispose of it carefully, if, as in the UK, it has a fuse, remove the fuse.
2. Thread the cable where you want it to go
3. Fit a new plug
4. Plug it in

The idea of moulded plugs is nice and I think it was introduced to prevent manufacturers skimping and those with no electrical knowledge wiring them up wrongly. However, it's really easy. Google is your friend.

Won’t this invalidate the warranty?

 

[BlankStar]

without a single doubt, it will void the warranty

 

[cjbryce]

Won’t this invalidate the warranty?

It probably would, yes, but I don’t think it should.

In the UK, where changing/adding plugs used to be commonplace and appliances were frequently sold without plugs or with easily removable plugs, I think the consumer rights/trading standards would be very probably be on your side.

 

[OllyW]

Won’t this invalidate the warranty?

without a single doubt, it will void the warranty

And don't mess it up because it costs £268 to fix it.

 

[Moonjumper]

An alternative for some is to coil up the lead behind the device out of sight, then attach the plug to an extension cable. You can remove the plug from that cable to thread through gaps without voiding the warranty.

 

[Norwegian_Imposter]

I’ll just get a uk to eu plug

 

[lf90429]

It seems that it technically IS user-removable in the end: https://9to5mac.com/2018/02/10/remove-homepod-power-cable-video/

 

[CharlesShaw]

It seems that it technically IS user-removable in the end: https://9to5mac.com/2018/02/10/remove-homepod-power-cable-video/

And the comments on that story suggest the birth of yet another polarizing issue: whether or not Apple is wrong not to use the common connector it uses on the Apple TV, Airport, etc.

Based on the close-ups in that video (I don't own one yet), I think the round cloth-covered cord looks good (because it doesn't look like a connector). Using a standard connector wouldn't allow fabric covering the cord all the up to the smallest possible opening.

I don't anticipate handling the HomePod cord very often, so it is extremely unlikely that I'd have to replace it.

 

[curtvaughan]

Yes, one review I saw mentioned it was the same material on the HomePod and felt that was a nice touch by apple and shows apple's incredible attention to detail.

The power connectors for Apple laptops and iPhones were notorious for fraying and wear at endpoints. That's why a lot of companies produce Apple compatible cables with more durability. As this power cable is not meant to be replaceable it would make sense to make the cord more durable.

 

[JosephAW]

Maybe the plug acts like an antenna?