HomePod's silicone bottom is causing rings on some finished wood surfaces

[the game]

The phenomenon was first spotted by electronics evaluation site Wirecutter on Wednesday, and other sources from social media. it is manifesting from contact with "oiled" wood surfaces and the silicone ring on the bottom of a HomePod.

It is not appearing on all wood surfaces. AppleInsider's HomePod used for testing has been in a fixed location on a finished wood surface since Saturday, and no ring has developed.

AppleInsider spoke with a few professional woodworkers about the matter, and the consensus between them suggests a reaction between the silicone in the bottom ring of the HomePod, and a different form of silicone common in furniture polishes like Pledge. They called the reaction similar to the "fisheye" that can develop in some furniture as a result of chemical differences between the wood's finish and the polishes.

But, other than elevating the HomePod very slightly using a thin non-skid surface, they offered no easy and permanent solution for those suffering from the problem, other than stripping down the furniture, and replacing the finish with one lacking silicone.

Apple appears to be aware of the situation, an offers little in the way of advice. In an email to Wirecutter, Apple said that "the marks can improve over several days after the speaker is removed from the wood surface," and "try cleaning the surface with the manufacturer's suggested oiling method."

It appears that glass, granite, MDF plywood, polyurethane-sealed wood, and laminate furniture such as that found in Ikea are not affected by the problem —which makes sense if the problem is a reaction between different silicone mixes.

http://appleinsider.com/articles/18/...-wood-surfaces

[Puupi]

Okay..... and?

[DrStiglit]

You should always use a coaster.

[Elegiac]

What’s there to discuss, exactly?

Hillary's emails put a ring on my finished wood surface?

Dunno.

[Felaris Stormrage]

Great find, the game.

We'll publish it as the leading news story in prime-time news. These manufacturers will not get away with using lackluster materials for their products.

[Lochton]

http://appleinsider.com/articles/18/...-wood-surfaces

Just sounds like people don't think much. Should've had something under, a coaster or cloth. The worry would be if the rings would appear after that.

[Deleted]

What an illuminating topic... We should tackle this immediately

[Kathandira]

First world problems. lol

[Deleted]

First world problems. lol

Nonsense! It's a serious issue that affects everybody worldwide! #RingStainsMatter

[bigsav1]

What an illuminating topic... We should tackle this immediately

Because the threads you start are so much better, right?

[Doctor Amadeus]

What’s there to discuss, exactly?

What do you think if I bought You and Your Husband one of these as a gift?



You know like at 3am when you want to cuddle

[Deleted]

Because the threads you start are so much better, right?

Yes they are