Apple just announced the HomePod (2nd generation), a smart speaker that improves the acoustic quality of the previous version and maintains an unmistakable design. Noted for offering advanced computational audio including compatibility with spatial audio, as well as convenient ways to control the smart home and manage everyday tasks, users can create home automation automations with Siri, receive notifications when a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is detected and check the temperature and humidity of a room. It will be on sale from February 3.
Design
It comes with a seamless acoustic mesh that lets sound pass through and a backlit touch surface that lights up from edge to edge. It’s available in white and midnight, a new color made from 100% recycled mesh fabric, with a matching braided cable.
Features
Due to its configuration it provides deep and defined bass and clear treble. A custom-designed, high-excursion woofer, powerful motor driving the 20mm diaphragm, built-in microphone with equalization system, and a five-piece beamforming tweeter array create a satisfying listening experience. The S7 chip is combined with software and sensing technologies to deliver advanced computational audio that unleashes the potential of your acoustic system.
Thanks to its spatial detection technology, it recognizes if sound is bouncing off nearby surfaces. In this way, it determines if you are next to a wall or without anything around you and adapts the sound accordingly in real time. Directional control of the five tweeter array and beamforming technology separates and directs direct and ambient sound, immersing users in a richly nuanced sonic universe.
Note that users can access a catalog of more than 100 million songs with Apple Music.
possibilities
Linking two or more HomePod or HomePod mini speakers opens up many possibilities at home. Multi-zone audio with AirPlay makes it possible for users to simply say “Hey Siri” or press and hold the top of HomePod to play the same song on multiple HomePods, listen to different songs on each one, and even use it as an intercom between HomePods. the different rooms.
They will also be able to create a stereo pair with two HomePod speakers that are in the same space. In addition to separating the left and right channels, the stereo pair reproduces each channel in perfect harmony.
Integration
Using ultra-wideband technology, users can stream whatever they’re listening to on their iPhone directly to a HomePod. To control the content to play or receive recommendations for songs and podcasts, it is enough for each user in the home to bring their iPhone closer to HomePod. HomePod recognizes up to six voices.
HomePod links to Apple TV 4K to create a home theater experience. Apple TV 4K’s audio return channel (eARC) support lets you turn the speaker into an audio system for all the devices connected to the TV.
Price and availability
The HomePod (2nd generation) can be reserved for €349 and will go on sale on Friday, February 3.
It is compatible with iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later, iPhone 8 and later with iOS 16.3 and later; iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation) and later, iPad Air (3rd generation) and later, and iPad mini (5th generation) and later with iPadOS 16.3.