With the launch of the Apple Watch Series 3 and iPhone X, there is still another new Apple product on the shopping list this year: HomePod.
Apple previewed its new smart speaker in June at WWDC and now the time is near for it to hit the market. This is what we know about the product so far.
What is HomePod?
HomePod is the Apple's first music speaker since the iPod Hi-Fi (which came out in 2007 and retired a year later). HomePod plays music wirelessly over Wi-Fi directly from Apple Music or from AirPlay from iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other nearby Apple devices. HomePod has built-in Siri for voice control using a six-microphone array that makes it a smart speaker.
What can you do?
Using voice control through Siri, HomePod is primarily a wireless music speaker for Apple Music. Other music services like Spotify should work with AirPlay from a nearby device, but only Apple Music will offer smart voice control. Like Google Home and Amazon Echo, HomePod will also be a smart home controller and the only smart speaker to work with HomeKit accessories. HomePod is also a HomeKit hub so you can control accessories remotely and run automations through it without an Apple TV or iPad at home.
HomePod isn't limited to just controlling Apple Music and HomeKit. HomePod You can also play Apple podcasts, set alarms, give news, set reminders, and even send messages.. It is not clear if voice calls will also be supported.
Other smart features include multi-room audio playback with AirPlay 2, stereo pairing between two nearby HomePods, and automatic audio tuning based on spatial awareness. Automatically analyzes acoustics, adjusts sound based on speaker placement, and directs music in the optimal direction. Whatever the location…. Against the wall, on a shelf, or in the middle of the room, you always get an immersive listening experience.
Third-party applications
Third-party compatibility will be very limited to begin with. HomePod is primarily a smart speaker that works with Apple services like Apple Music, Apple podcasts, HomeKit, reminders, and other Siri features that aren't available on competing smart speakers. Nevertheless, Siri supports third-party apps on iOS and HomePod will have limited support for this via SiriKit as of iOS 11.2. SiriKit for HomePod allows third-party applications that use SiriKit on iOS for messaging, lists, and notes to work with the device without any additional configuration.
Integrated
Comes in two colors: white or space gray. Both versions are wrapped in mesh fabric and feature an LED waveform across the top to show Siri activity. While this area is not exactly a screen, its LED light is dynamic and can change to show the volume controls as well. The top surface is also touch-sensitive and can be used to call Siri or control audio playback.
Specifications
Apple bills HomePod as a better speaker than the $ 3 Sonos Play: 299 which puts it above the 199 Sonos One and probably below the Sonos Play: 5 out of 499 in terms of audio quality, but we'll have to test HomePod when it launches to be sure of it. In terms of specs, Apple details the dimensions and internals to get an idea of what to expect.
Size:
• 6.8 inches tall (172 mm)
• 5.6 inches wide (142 mm)
Weight:
• 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg)
Audio technology
• Woofer with custom amplifier
• Matrix of seven tweeters, each with its own custom amp
• Six-microphone arrangement for far-range Siri and room detection
• Internal low-frequency calibration microphone for automatic bass correction
• Direct and ambient audio beamforming
• Transparent dynamic processing at studio level
Wireless
• 802.11a / b / g / n / ac Wi ‑ Fi with MIMO
• Multi-room speaker support with AirPlay 2
In terms of processing power, HomePod ships equipped with Apple's A8 chip that debuted with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and is also used in the fourth-generation Apple TV.
Release date / availability / price
Apple introduced the HomePod in June at its WWDC, but Phil Schiller did not specify anything about a release dateIt would only be in December: "It will start shipping in December, first in the US, the UK and Australia and then, next year, in the rest of the world."
HomePod will cost $ 350 in the United States; Apple has yet to announce international pricing.
Advance order
Okay, so we know HomePod will be available sometime in December, but when can you buy it? Pre-orders for new devices generally open one week before launch. That means we'll be able to see HomePod pre-orders at least until a week before December, on November 24, coincidentally the Black Friday, the largest shopping day of the year in the US and which is also celebrated here in Spain.