The Apple HomePod, a smart speaker released in 2018, was initially met with mixed reviews due to its high price and subpar sound quality. However, Apple has continued to refine the product, introducing new features and making improvements. The second-generation HomePod, released in 2020, supports the smarthost standard Matter, a temperature and humidity sensor, and a new chip from the Apple Watch Series 7. While the sound quality has been praised, the device has been criticized for its high price and a downgrade in certain features compared to the original model. Despite this, the HomePod has been praised for its integration with other Apple devices and its ability to function as a stereo set for TV audio. However, it is still considered expensive compared to its competitors like the Sonos One and the Google Home Mini. The HomePod is part of Apple's push into the smart home market, but it faces stiff competition from other tech giants like Amazon and Google.
1. The HomePod, Apple's smart speaker, has undergone several changes since its initial release in 2018.
2. The second-generation HomePod was announced alongside new MacBook Pros and the new M2 Mac mini.
3. The original HomePod, released in 2018, was not a success due to its sound quality and Siri's intelligence.
4. The HomePod was initially priced at €400, which contributed to its lack of success.
5. In 2019, a price reduction of €50 was introduced but did not improve the HomePod's popularity.
6. In 2021, Apple removed the HomePod from the market and shifted its focus to the cheaper HomePod Mini.
7. The second-generation HomePod was reintroduced in 2020 and is now available in the Netherlands.
8. The second-generation HomePod has a price of €349.
9. The most significant update in the second-generation HomePod is its support for the smarthost standard Matter.
10. The second-generation HomePod now includes a temperature and humidity sensor.
11. The HomePod's new chip is the S7 from the Apple Watch Series 7.
12. The HomePod now includes a u1 ultrawide band chip.
13. The second-generation HomePod has a new chip that allows for handoff, where a music track can be played on an iPhone and then continue on the HomePod.
14. The second-generation HomePod now has a mini, just like the original HomePod.
15. The second-generation HomePod now has a full-screen touch display.
16. The second-generation HomePod has compromised on a few points compared to the original, including having only five tweeters instead of seven and four microphones instead of six.
17. The second-generation HomePod supports WiFi 4, while the original supported WiFi 5.
18. The second-generation HomePod includes Bluetooth 5.0.
19. To use a HomePod, an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV with Apple's home app is required.
20. Both the original and mini HomePods support Special audio with Dolby Atmos.
21. The HomePod includes microphones that can be used to adjust the sound based on the speaker's location.
22. The HomePod supports an intercom function, which can be used to call someone upstairs from downstairs.
23. The HomePod is more expensive than other smart speakers. For example, the Sonos One SL costs €199 without a microphone, and two of them cost €428.
24. If you want a stereo set with HomePods, you will spend €700 at Apple.
25. The HomePod is part of Apple's plan to start a new Smart Home product line.