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

[Alpha Centauri]

I guess they didn't learn the first time around...

That's exactly the wording re price that went through my mind at first.

I bought the OG HomePod upon release, never was too interested as a stereo pair as have decent passive speakers for this. It's good however to have choices I suppose. Do wonder what the driver hardware changes are.

 

[Kylo83]

It’s basically the exact same and still over priced, apple what’s the point? It should be 200 tops

 

[zilchfox]

Aaaand just like that, the value of all the HomePods on eBay just tanked.

 

[BorisDG]

So they have put S7 chipset in it replacing the A8? Interesting. I mean it's still based on A13 (which I said to be inside since everything prior is discontinued).

 

[tubular]

hooray! The great product Apple orphaned has been de-orphaned.

 

[david.olstein]

No mention of hi res audio. The "Tech Specs" on the Apple web site don't say anything about the internal DAC. Wi Fi and blue tooth specs are out of date. So far I don't see a compelling reason to update from my gen 1 home pods.

 

[Kylo83]

The design is the exact same why not put an OLED full screen at the top

 

[D-ConYT]

I actually didn't see this coming, is this week gonna be a bunch of shadow drops? New Apple products are always interesting to me. New HomePod is still way too expensive though, it's the Apple tax I guess.

 

[mscice]

price ? WOW not buying it

 

[Nozuka]

Not sure why they had to take it off the market....

Well that is the first time the HomePod is officially available in Switzerland though.

 

[mthomas184]

Still overpriced.

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

What should the price be?

 

[iphonehype]

So the new version has Spatial audio that’ll be interesting to hear

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

Why not enable a 5.1 HomePod Cinema setup Apple? C’mon, it’s 2023!

 

[5105973]

I'm glad it's back. It still looks like a TP roll but that's fine. I don't have to worry about a mismatched looking pair up with my original ones should one of them need replacement.

 

[bradman83]

I'm honestly surprised they're announcing it in mid-January instead of having made it available in advance of the holiday shopping season a few months ago. Macs I can see since computers aren't as linked to holiday spending but a consumer electronics device definitely would be. Still, good for Apple for listening to consumers and bringing it back, even if it's still overpriced for what it is.

 

[MayaUser]

So they cut the price from 349 to 299

 

[75Batt]

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.

Interestingly the homepod mini comparison now states it includes this. When it launched was this chip not dormant/not listed? Could be exciting if this is the direction they take homepod… more sensors for at home monitoring.

 

[MacGizmo]

It's nice that they dropped the price a little, but it's still too much $ for a single speaker—I don't care what else it does.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

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.

Literally a cult.

 

[retrospek]

Apple is just getting lazy now....

 

[GermanSuplex]

Wonder if one of these can be paired with the original Homepod for stereo sound. Probably not.

 

[bigjnyc]

Same exact design as 5 years ago and teeny tiny performance changes lol

Never change Apple... Never change

 

[thadoggfather]

Nice but my OG HomePod still working great, zero reason for me to upgrade

I use it as an Apple TV airplay speaker in the bedroom and it saves me from having to use my tv‘s atrocious speaker

 

[MayaUser]

SO cheaper, better sounding, smaller, less weight

 

[mashinhead]

What’s new about it?