Apple this week unexpectedly introduced the second-generation full-sized HomePod, round two years after it discontinued the unique good speaker.
The upgraded HomePod, priced at $299, joins the HomePod mini in Apple’s line of TV and Residence merchandise with a number of new adjustments and options. A cheaper price tag at launch, a barely tweaked design, and a collection of options are anticipated to make the second-generation HomePod extra profitable than its predecessor, which didn’t seize mainstream market share, in the end resulting in its discontinuation. Beneath, we have highlighted what precisely has modified with the second-generation HomePod in comparison with the first-generation good speaker.
Quicker Siri and Companies Efficiency
As a part of the all-new HomePod, Apple has included the S7 processor, the identical chip discovered within the Apple Watch Collection 7, which powers room sensing, superior computational audio, Siri, and extra. The S7 chip is an improve to the A8 chip, which powered the first-generation HomePod and the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The chip will assist enhance the expertise of utilizing Siri and companies comparable to Apple Music and iHeartRadio.
Fewer Microphones and Tweeters
The subsequent-generation HomePod has 4 microphones built-in, in comparison with the six-microphone system within the first-generation HomePod. Even when customers are throughout the room, distant from the speaker, and listening to music, the HomePod’s microphones allow them to invoke Siri and management their HomePod.
The most recent HomePod additionally has fewer tweeters than the unique first-generation mannequin. Apple’s specs sheet reveals the brand new HomePod has 5 tweeters round its base, in comparison with seven within the authentic good speaker. The tweeters assist energy HomePod’s acoustic efficiency by optimizing “excessive frequencies to provide detailed, articulate audio with gorgeous readability.” The discount within the variety of tweeters and microphones was seemingly a cost-cutting measure by Apple. Whether or not this can end in a noticeable drop in audio efficiency is at the moment unknown.
Removable Energy Cable
Orginal first-generation HomePod
In contrast to the unique HomePod, the brand new HomePod has a removable energy cable, permitting customers to shortly detach the cable from the speaker for journey or storage.
Bigger Backlit Contact Interface
One of many noticeable design adjustments with the up to date HomePod is a bigger backlit contact interface at its prime. In comparison with the unique HomePod, the brand new mannequin encompasses a considerably bigger interface that glows and illuminates totally different colours to point out various statuses of the speaker and when Siri is in use.
Lighter and Shorter Design
Dimensions on Apple’s web site for the second-generation HomePod assist put into perspective the up to date mannequin’s measurement and type think about relation to its predecessor. The brand-new HomePod weighs 5.16 kilos, in comparison with 5.5 kilos for the unique good speaker. The upgraded HomePod can also be 6.6 inches in peak, in comparison with 6.8 inches. Each HomePods characteristic the identical width of 5.6 inches.
Thread and UI Extremely Wideband Chip
The brand new HomePod helps Thread, a connectivity customary for good residence units that improves connectivity by letting Thread units discuss straight to one another through a low-power mesh community. The unique HomePod lacked Thread help, with solely the HomePod mini having compatibility.
The brand new HomePod additionally has the U1 Extremely Wideband chip built-in, which detects when different U1-equipped units like newer iPhone fashions are close by and permits them to shortly hand off audio to the good speaker.
What’s Not Modified
With the brand new HomePod, there are two issues that haven’t modified: Lack of Bluetooth help and in-line audio. In contrast to different audio system, the brand new HomePod, just like the previous-generation mannequin and the present HomePod mini, can’t operate as a standalone Bluetooth speaker. Customers should pair the HomePod with their iPhone or iPad and use Apple’s AirPlay customary or Siri to play audio. Maybe unsurprisingly, the brand new HomePod doesn’t characteristic an audio jack, optical audio port, or some other ports. All interplay with the HomePod is finished wirelessly utilizing Apple units.
