Apple Reintroduced the HomePod a Year Ago Today

[MacRumors]

Apple relaunched the HomePod one year ago today, debuting a second-generation model almost five years after the original model's introduction.

The HomePod was announced at WWDC in 2017 and launched in 2018 after a heavily delayed launch. The device was met with mixed reviews; critics praised its outstanding sound quality but pointed out its high price, missing features, and limited functionality compared to rivals.

Apple dropped its price from $349 to $299 in April 2019 and, in March 2021, the company announced that it was discontinuing the first-generation HomePod, instead shifting its focus to the HomePod mini, which launched the previous year. The decision left a gap in Apple's product lineup for a full-sized smart speaker until the company introduced the second-generation model via a press release on January 18, 2023.

The second-generation HomePod looks virtually identical to the original, although it is 0.2 inches shorter and has a larger edge-to-edge LED touchscreen on top. It also boasts a range of upgrades and changes compared to its 2018 predecessor:

HomePod (second-generation, 2023)	HomePod (first-generation, 2018)
Refined design with acoustically transparent mesh fabric	Design with acoustically transparent mesh fabric
Larger backlit touch surface that illuminates from edge to edge	Backlit touch surface
S7 chip from 2021's Apple Watch Series 7	A8 chip from 2013's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
U1 ultra wideband chip	–
Five horn-loaded tweeters	Seven horn-loaded tweeters
Four far-field beamforming microphones	Six far-field beamforming microphones
6.6 inches tall	6.8 inches tall
Weighs 5.16 pounds	Weighs 5.5 pounds
Removable power cable	Fixed power cable
Wi-Fi 4 connectivity (802.11n)	Wi-Fi 5 connectivity (802.11ac)
Thread support
Temperature and humidity sensor
Sound Recognition
Available in White and Midnight	Available in White and Space Gray

While Apple's potential plans for a third-generation HomePod are unclear a year after the current model was introduced, there are a multitude of rumors surrounding a HomePod with an LCD touchscreen display arriving as soon as 2024.

Article Link: Apple Reintroduced the HomePod a Year Ago Today

 

[bodhisattva]

Still loving mine. Have several across the house and have yet to find anything that beats them for price and convenience.

 

[coltman75]

What? The 2018 HomePod doesn't have active cooling?? Does it??

 

[JTK Awesome]

Replaced a few failing 1st-gen HomePods with the new models. You can hear the price cut in the sound quality. The old ones had a rich, warm sound while the new ones have a more sterile sound.

Another minor nit is going from glossy to matte plastic for the display/control top. Looks and feels cheap compared to the originals.

Not enough negatives to consider alternatives plus, y'know, Apple ecosystem lock-in and all that.

 

[ignatius345]

Anybody who's had the v1 and v2 full sized HomePods -- can you weigh in on the sound quality?

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Worth noting the first generation does have sound recognition for smoke / CO alarms.

 

[Orange Bat]

Once again another year passed where I really thought I’d buy one but then I don’t. It’s something I want, but I just never pull the trigger.

 

[Natas1000]

The WiFi section of the chart needs a second look.

 

[coachgq]

Anybody who's had the v1 and v2 full sized HomePods -- can you weigh in on the sound quality?

I don't notice a difference, but I wouldn't consider myself anywhere near and audiophile. I just like them for easy connection to other ecosystem stuff in the house. I replaced failing V1 with homepod minis and the moment these V2 came out, I jumped on them. Found them in open box at best buy within the first 2 weeks for just over $200 each.

 

[dominiongamma]

I wish we can buy the first generation still

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Once again another year passed where I really thought I’d buy one but then I don’t. It’s something I want, but I just never pull the trigger.

I have a stereo pair with my Apple TV and love them.

The ARC feature appearing on the Apple TV was what really made it brilliant, I can run my PS5 and Xbox audio out through the HomePods too which is great. Audio on par with a good quality soundbar.

 

[OMGwtfBBQwings]

got my first one last feb. love everything about it.

...except how stupid Siri is

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

The WiFi section of the chart needs a second look.

It's correct, the 2nd generation does have an older Wi-Fi spec.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Still loving my 1st gen. The fact that they brought it back gives me hope for AirPort coming back, or, wait for it, an iPhone mini.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Still loving my 1st gen. The fact that they brought it back gives me hope for AirPort coming back, or, wait for it, an iPhone mini.

Doubt we'll see any AirPort devices returning.

If you want an Apple-like networking experience, I'd personally recommend UniFi / Ubiquiti kit. Great hardware quality and design, and great software (browser and iOS apps).

 

[ignatius345]

I don't notice a difference, but I wouldn't consider myself anywhere near and audiophile. I just like them for easy connection to other ecosystem stuff in the house. I replaced failing V1 with homepod minis and the moment these V2 came out, I jumped on them. Found them in open box at best buy within the first 2 weeks for just over $200 each.

Great deal. They also are usually available at $250 on Apple's Refurbished section.

 

[phenste]

man, weird to think I’ve owned two of these for 4-5 years now. (got my second 1st-gen when the price dropped.) still think it was worth the money to this day, Siri is dumb but Siri was never meant to be the selling point—they’d just been developing a really good speaker since 2011, then Alexa (more-than-)kinda did a sneak attack on ‘em.

they’re also surprisingly durable for now premium they look. I happened to purchase these at a time when I was going to a lot more small house parties with friends (ie before 2020…), and people always appreciated me bringing these through. anyone could play any song they wanted to/add it to the queue—it’s almost like, modern minimalist jukebox vibes (though we all know nothing compares to a classic jukebox). glad they brought the full-size back eventually, I have the mini as well and it’s fantastic but it simply cannot mimic the same soundstage as the full-size.

(is it obvious that I’ve had an incredibly boring morning? 😆)

 

[G5isAlive]

Anybody who's had the v1 and v2 full sized HomePods -- can you weigh in on the sound quality?

I literally run stereo pairs of each in the same oversized room (think cabin where kitchen, dining room, living room run together) and I don't hear enough difference to care which ones I am using at the moment. If I try, I can convince myself that the v1 are a tad more full in sound, maybe warmer, but its hard for me to separate buy bias, v1 cost more.

For the most part I can't tell the difference, and it certainly doesn't guide my choice on which to use.

 

[Adoniram]

It's correct, the 2nd generation does have an older Wi-Fi spec.

I also thought it was a typo. Weird. I mean it doesn’t affect anything but it’s still a strange reversal.

 

[ShawnTXDFW]

I bought a 1st gen one on eBay once they discontinued it initially. Maybe I paid an extra $50 or so, but I love these bad boys and how awesome they sound. Praying they last for awhile! I haven’t had no issues. Fingers crossed! 🤞

 

[abatabia]

Hardware wise they’re fine. Software wise they’ve been such a constant disaster I’ll likely never buy another HomePod again. The hours of endless calls and emails with Apple support for all the random issues have soured me from the experience.

 

[G5isAlive]

Love the HomePods, still wrapping my head around a one year anniversary article for a speaker. Am I allowed to say that? I also like the minis, for just easy speaker placement in any small room.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Doubt we'll see any AirPort devices returning.

If you want an Apple-like networking experience, I'd personally recommend UniFi / Ubiquiti kit. Great hardware quality and design, and great software (browser and iOS apps).

Hehe, I’m still using my 1st gen TimeCapsule and it’s still serving my modest needs. It got an update a few years ago, so I imagine that Apple will let us holdouts know if or when it’s no longer safe to use their old tech.

 

[iGeek2019]

I also thought it was a typo. Weird. I mean it doesn’t affect anything but it’s still a strange reversal.

Macrumors touched upon this last year:

Apple Explains Why HomePod Was Released Again, Wi-Fi 4 Limitation, and More

Apple's VP of hardware engineering Matthew Costello and product marketing employee Alice Chan recently spoke with Men's Journal and...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Dorv]

I use mine 99% of the time for simple HomeKit commands. I wish I had a use case to use the audio platform more.