Nearly two years after discontinuing production of the original HomePod due to weak sales, Apple has released a new version with the same size, same design, but improved sound and better Siri integration.
This is a surprise because Apple dropped the first-generation HomePod in March 2021 and said it planned to focus on the HomePod mini that came out after that. The new HomePod will be available at Apple Stores and the Apple Store online from February 3, 2023.
With Apple's promise of audio innovation and expertise, the new HomePod delivers rich, deep bass, natural mids, and clear, detailed highs. According to the company, the popularity of the HomePod mini shows a growing consumer interest in the line of audio devices, so an even more powerful sounding device like the HomePod is essential. .
Apple also says the new HomePod offers advanced computational audio for a groundbreaking listening experience, including support for immersive Spatial Audio tracks.
The HomePod design is basically the same as its predecessor, but inside it comes with the same U1 Ultra Wideband chip as on the HomePod mini. This means the speaker has the same Hand Off capability to allow users to start a song on iPhone and end it on HomePod.
Like before, the two HomePods can be used as a stereo pair. However, Apple notes that both must be of the same type, meaning the new HomePod cannot be paired with the first-generation HomePod.
According to Apple, the new HomePod will receive an update later this spring that can support sound recognition and send notifications to the user's iPhone if it detects a sound that resembles a smoke alarm. It also has built-in temperature and humidity sensors, meaning users can automatically activate the HomePod, such as turning on the fan in the room when it's hot. Besides, the new HomePod also supports the Matter feature.
Pre-orders for the next-generation HomePod have now begun and will be available in White or Midnight colors starting February 3, 2023. The price of the speaker is 299 USD.