Having just spent £319/$349 on the Apple HomePod speaker, you probably didn’t envision forking over another twenty bucks, just to stop it knackering your furniture.
However, following Apple’s admission the speaker’s silicone base is leaving white rings on users’ wooden furniture, that’s exactly what early adopters are pondering.
One quick-thinking accessory maker has come up with the solution; a $20 leather coaster that’ll sit beneath HomePod and keep your fancy oil-stained table free from damage.
American company Pad & Quill is currently taking pre-orders for a Leather HomePod Coaster, in whiskey and chestnut, for $19.95.
Related: Apple HomePod review-in-progress
The product description (via TechCrunch) deserves a hat tip here:
“The latest in smart speaker innovation deserves state-of-the-art surface protection,” it reads.
“Our Leather HomePod Coaster is designed in Minneapolis and handmade by skilled artisans. You’ll love it, but don’t put a ring on it. Your HomePod’s new home features durable & luxurious American full-grain leather with an ultra-soft leather backing because the only rings you should see in your home this season are of the Olympic variety on TV.”
Essentially this is just a leather coaster you’d find in most home improvement stores, but well played, Pad & Quill. Well played.
Apple is currently advising HomePod users that the stains are likely to fade after a couple of days. However the company says HomePod fans should simply refinish their furniture(!) if not.
Since the anomaly, further reports have claimed the Sonos One speaker is also leaving furniture with unsightly white marks. Sonos has acknowledged our request for a comment but hasn’t yet offered up a statement.
Has the ‘white ring’ issue put you off buying a HomePod? Or will you simply use a go-between to protect your furniture? Let us know @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.