Apple Announces New HomePod for $299 With Full-Size Design, S7 Chip, and More

[PBG4 Dude]

Those who are old enough to remember the Maxell cassette tape advertisement will appreciate this scene from the HomePod announcement video.

View attachment 2144178

For some reason I thought this commercial was for BASF? Though I used to buy 10 packs of Maxell 90 minute tapes to dub Dead shows on my boom box.

 

[symphony]

RIP everyone who bought overpriced OG HomePod when it was discontinued

 

[Rogue AI]

$299? Jesus Apple, just stop with the ridiculous prices already. You're pushing me away from your products.

I can get an Echo Show 8 for $79.99 right now and it'll work better for my needs.

 

[t0rqx]

What they did nit tell you this is basically the same version as the first-gen. All the current stock back then was sent back to factories to replace the inside hardware. Basically refurbs if you will, less essentials more the price increase. Apple Style.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Given how well Homekit automations are NOT working for me, ya ill pass on this one.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Temperature and humidity​

With its built-in sensor, HomePod can detect and tell you the temperature and humidity of the room.
And you can set it in automations so the blinds close if the temperature hits 80 degrees.

haha sure the automations will work. They havent worked reliably since ios 16

 

[Alpha God Vonn]

Still overpriced.

I'll most likely buy it though....

Lol it’s the same thing

 

[skitidetdu]

Cool! But it is still...mono.

For those who want to buy 2 for stereo listening Apple should really release a "slave" version of it without Siri or necessary sensors for a cheaper price.

 

[t0rqx]

I was looking at the promo video why does this product spew out debris when in use?

They gonna force upgrade me with an Apple iVacuum next?

 

[MistrSynistr]

Wait.

Are they releasing an audio product that will produce lower quality than an older model?

Someone explain this to me with the tweeter issue.

 

[satchmo]

No bluetooth, I am out.

I had a homepod. Sounded ok. Nothing amazing, but ok for a smart speaker. Sold it.

Currently using a Bose Cinemate GS II and bluetooth from one side of the room to the other using:

Sennheiser BT T100 Bluetooth Transmitter and a BT receiver (using Aptx-LL).

I can play games, videos, etc, I have a cinematic sound, separation, and no lag!

As good as EARC is, there is always some lag, and I haven't found a single projector that supports it.

Wireless​

• 802.11n Wi-Fi
• Peer-to-peer discovery for easy guest access9
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Thread10
• Ultra Wideband chip for device proximity11

 

[czoli]

oh boy .... never seen Apple so lost

 

[xfusejc]

The new HomePod also has two fewer tweeters and microphones compared to the original model.

So on top of it being unchanged from the original, it actually has less hardware?

I'll keep my original Stereo pair, thanks. Only way this would have been worth upgrading is if it included the rumored screen/additional functionality. The press release making it seem as if they've never had one of these before is just hilarious.

 

[Nautilus007]

So on top of it being unchanged from the original, it actually has less hardware?

I'll keep my original Stereo pair, thanks. Only way this would have been worth upgrading is if it included the rumored screen/additional functionality. The press release making it seem as if they've never had one of these before is just hilarious.

My guess is they are repackaging leftover components...thats all

 

[Rooster 🐓]

So it’s exactly the same but with an updated chip? No removable power cord? No aux input? Wut?

Did I miss something?

Yes - two fewer tweeters!!

Will continue with my existing OG pair as long as possible. Just delighted a Dolby atmos full size replacement pair can now be bought.

340 comments and many many reactions at the time of writing - tells you how much these things are loved/discussed by many.

Well done for bringing them back Apple 👏🏻 they sound amazing on eARC pass through. Looking forward to the first reviews - hoping 5 not 7 tweeters is offset by a newer processor 🙂

 

[dilweegie]

To sell well? $199 would be my guess

Best Buy sold the original at $199 twice a year. No reason to think they won’t do it again.

 

[brandoman]

I miss Jony Ive for his brilliant narrative voice. Would have been helpful in this ad

 

[WilliamG]

What a strange, strange time we’re living in.

“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.”

Love that they’re essentially pretending like the larger HomePod has never existed before.

This release makes little sense to me... The prior gen full-size HomePod was $349 and $299 often, and apparently didn't sell well. Is there anything in this new HomePod that would have made a difference to someone shopping for a smart speaker? This, at first glance, looks to be repeating the same mistakes, - now with inferior audio capabilities!

 

[BigJohno]

Moved to Sonos. Not looking back.

 

[kalafalas]

what does the accelerometer do at a still standing device?

It can tell if you’ve picked up and put the HomePod down again to re-calibrate its position-based sound. I pick up my OG home pod and set it back down again every once and a while when the bass gets weird

 

[WilliamG]

They need to fix the OG one..mine has this horrible crackling sound when stereo paired

Odd, - I have several stereo pairs in my house, and no such issue, ever.

 

[m4mario]

I’m happy that this exists. The original HomePod sounds amazing for it size and price. It’s a great room speaker. Hope the new one sounds similar or better. Especially because the new one is 2 tweeters less.

 

[longofest]

The WiFI is 802.11n.

Waiting for folks to attach these things to their network and watch as their 6/6E networks and watch as their network speeds crater to n speeds.

That, and the fact that the "intelligent assistant" is still Siri make this a hard pass for me.

 

[kirk.vino]

Pretty lame…worse hardware (fewer tweeters) for the same price? Damn, they’ve really dropped the ball on this one.

 

[t0rqx]

Wait.

Are they releasing an audio product that will produce lower quality than an older model?

Someone explain this to me with the tweeter issue.

Exactly what they are doing. It’s their strategy long time ago. You think you have an S8 processor on your Apple Watch? It’s just an S6.