In a surprise move, Apple has announced the release of the second-generation HomePod. The 1st generation smart speaker was discontinued in March 2021 as the brand shifted focus to the more affordable HomePod mini. The new device, which is set to hit stores on February 3, promises to deliver a revolutionary listening experience with its advanced computational audio and refined design.
At its Cupertino, California headquarters, Apple unveiled the new HomePod, which boasts a sleek, acoustically transparent mesh fabric and a recessed backlit touch surface that illuminates from edge to edge. The device is available in white and a new colour, midnight, which is made with 100 percent recycled mesh fabric, and comes with a colour-matched woven power cable.
The device also delivers incredible audio quality, thanks to a combination of features such as a custom-engineered high-excursion woofer, a powerful motor that drives the diaphragm a remarkable 20mm, a built-in bass-EQ mic, and a beamforming array of five tweeters around the base. The S7 chip, combined with software and system-sensing technology, offers advanced computational audio that maximizes the full potential of the acoustic system for a groundbreaking listening experience.
“Leveraging our audio expertise and innovations, the new HomePod delivers rich, deep bass, natural mid-range, and clear, detailed highs,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With the popularity of HomePod mini, we’ve seen growing interest in even more powerful acoustics achievable in a larger HomePod. We’re thrilled to bring the next generation of HomePod to customers around the world.”
The new HomePod also offers advanced Siri capabilities, allowing users to manage everyday tasks and control the smart home with ease. With Siri, users can create smart home automations, get notified when a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is detected in their home, and check temperature and humidity in a room, all hands-free.
In addition, the new HomePod lets you access a range of music knowledge and search by artist, song, lyrics, decade, genre, mood, or activity, and support for immersive Spatial Audio tracks. You can also pair two HomePods together as a stereo pair to create a captivating home theater experience with Apple TV 4K.
The new smart speaker also offers seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. Leveraging Ultra Wideband technology, users can hand off whatever they’re playing on iPhone — like a favorite song, podcast, or even a phone call — directly to a HomePod. To enhance the listening experience, users can also create a stereo pair with two HomePod speakers in the same space or use multiroom audio with AirPlay to play the same song on multiple HomePod speakers, play different songs on different HomePod speakers, or even use them as an intercom to broadcast messages to other rooms.
