While it produces fantastic audio, Apple’s new HomePod smart speaker has also annoyed early users with obtuse software limitations, a lack of real Bluetooth connectivity, and missing multi-room playback support that won’t come until later this year. And now there’s one more irritation to add to that list, as it seems the HomePod can damage your wood furniture.
Image: Adam Clark Estes/Gizmodo
Multiple reports on Twitter and from outlets, including Wirecutter and Pocket-Lint, claim that when left on a wooden object, a HomePod can leave behind potentially permanent white rings.
Apple’s HomePod sounds excellent, but its can feel limited next to other smart speakers—Oh, and also it leaves white rings on wood surfaces. https://t.co/7UhQDmKnYK pic.twitter.com/rQJQoLAGzM
— Wirecutter (@wirecutter) February 14, 2018
Wirecutter reports that Apple has confirmed the problem. It’s apparently caused by an interaction between the HomePod’s silicone base and certain oils used to finish wood furniture. The severity of the marks seems to vary, judging from a tweet by MacStories’ Federico Viticci.
also, here’s my subtle HomePod ring. please don’t tell me to oil my wood pic.twitter.com/4gE452qtUB
— Federico Viticci (@viticci) February 14, 2018
For those affected, Apple says “the marks can improve over several days after the speaker is removed from the wood surface”. However, if the rings don’t go away, Wirecutter says Apple suggests that you can either go and refinish the furniture or “try cleaning the surface with the manufacturer’s suggested oiling method”.
This is not a good look for Apple. For the people who just brought home a fancy new smart speaker, the last thing they will probably want to do is be forced to re-sand their furniture on a regular basis. We reached out to Apple for comment on the news, but had not heard back at time of writing.