THE RETURN OF THE HOMEPOD
Oh Apple HomePod, how we’ve missed you!
For smart speaker fans and Apple enthusiasts, this month came with the best possible news: the Apple HomePod (£299, apple.com) is back. The first Apple HomePod was originally released back in 2018 before being discontinued in 2021 and replaced by the Apple HomePod Mini. But as of early 2023, the Apple HomePod has been relaunched and the 2nd generation of this immersive speaker and smart home device might be better than ever.
While it seems that not a lot has been changed on the new HomePod, the main update is its integration into Apple’s smart home ecosystem. The HomePod is designed to act as a smart home hub, allowing Apple users to control their home using just their voice, with the help of Siri, HomeKit and other smart accessories. From playing music to dimming the lights, closing doors to making calls, the HomePod does all the work for you even when you’re not home.
Sitting at 168mm and weighing 2.3kg, the HomePod is slightly smaller and lighter than the original, and the entire device runs on the Apple S7 chip, the same sensor used in the Apple Watch Series 7. The design is relatively simple and its petite size and neutral midnight and white colours means it won’t be an eyesore.
Having said that, the surface of the HomePod will light up in different colours depending on what it’s doing, for example, green light is for a phone call, white light is for when media is playing and multicoloured lights are for when Siri is active. While the HomePod is easily controlled via Apple devices or by saying “Hey, Siri”, there’s a touch panel on the top with plus and minus symbols that mainly covers increasing or decreasing volume and skipping through songs.
One huge improvement to the Apple HomePod is the sound. The high-fidelity audio is pretty powerful, thanks to Apple-engineered audio technology. Inside the HomePod, there’s an advanced motor, high-excursion woofer, bass-EQ mic and five beamforming tweeters, all that work together to produce immersive sound. Whatever audio is being played will sound crisp, clear and fill the room, especially if you use the HomePod alongside an Apple TV.
Overall, the Apple HomePod is sure to be loved by Apple fans (as the device is only compatible with Apple devices). It’s an incredibly impressive smart home hub and you’re getting a sizeable number of features and functions for the price, which is surprisingly affordable for a device that is a premium product.