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Hands-On With Apple's Second-Generation HomePod
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He seemed annoyed the throughout entire video. Hopefully he’s doing okay. 😕
Speakers don't need time to "break in" like a catcher's mitt.
I mean, surely, right? You’d think this would be one of the main things to solve…
Wow. That is so sad.Huh? Your money is worth less in 2023 than it was in 2022, you're lucky they're not making you pay more!
This one's a bargain compared to the original!
Can someone who has the midnight one, say whether it is blueish or closer to the space grey. Thanks
I also noticed this was a pretty rough video. Hope all is ok.
Someone who gets it. Speakers don't break in. Ears do.
Did you say Hey Google ? so you don't use Siri as your home OS?
Today is the official launch day for the second-generation HomePod that was introduced in January, and we picked one up to compare it to the original HomePod that Apple discontinued in 2021.
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Design wise, the second-generation HomePod looks a lot like the first-generation model, featuring the same rounded design and acoustic mesh fabric. It's ever so slightly shorter, and the main external change is the swap to a new recessed edge-to-edge touch display.
The display makes a notable aesthetic difference as it feels more integrated into the speaker, but it has the same general function as the display on the original HomePod. It lights up and changes with Siri requests, and various tap gestures can be used for play/pause, volume adjustments, and swapping songs.
With the S7 chip (which is an Apple Watch SoC), Siri activates quicker on the new HomePod model, but you probably won't notice much else in terms of performance differences. As for sound quality, it's remarkably similar to the original HomePod even though Apple has cut down on the number of tweeters. There are five beamforming tweeters inside, down from seven tweeters, and there are also just four microphones instead of six. Despite that, the new HomePod seems to respond just as quickly to Siri commands.
Apple says that it remade the HomePod after discontinuing the first model because it started seeing customer interest for the "acoustics of a richer larger speaker" and because the HomePod team loves the shape and form factor of the original.
For those who want something that outperforms the HomePod mini, the second-generation HomePod is worth picking up, and Apple has priced it at $299, the same price as the former HomePod before it was discontinued.
Article Link: Hands-On With Apple's Second-Generation HomePod
Sound is generated by vibrations. Any device that produces sound like a speaker can do so more effectively after enough vibrations have loosened it up.
If you don't think sound changes with vibration, you've never owned a solid wood acoustic guitar.
Or why do you think Stradavariuses are so valued? It's not just that they were well made, it's that old wood sounds different.
I'm not saying a smart speaker is equivalent to a fine violin, but I'm saying they aren't quite as different as you might think.
If you don't think sound changes with vibration, you've never owned a solid wood acoustic guitar.
Or why do you think Stradavariuses are so valued? It's not just that they were well made, it's that old wood sounds different.
I'm not saying a smart speaker is equivalent to a fine violin, but I'm saying they aren't quite as different as you might think.
Picked up two. Awesome when paired with tv.
If you like the new HomePod, I’m glad for you. I found mine to be underwhelming like the first gen HomePod: this one sounds pretty much the same. It’s ok for what it is, but it’s not at all immersive: the sound is localized to the speaker. I expected too much. Oh well.
- Faster Siri responsiveness due to faster processor
- Acts as a matter hub
- Thread radio
- Replaceable power cord
- temperature and humidity sensor
- U1 chip to help identify other lost devices
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I wonder if Tim Cook has two of these in every room of his mansion.
He has the beta version of HomePod 3 with surround sound. Five in each room. One can never have too many Siris.
Notice how none of the items in your list has anything to do with it being a speaker.
It's really difficult to tell whether it's just fade/dust, but the new midnight HomePod is ever so slightly darker than the 1st gen space grey model. It's a bit more noticeable on the cable. Nothing anyone would notice, and I already forgot.
I think it's going to be about the reliability of the responsiveness. Anecdotally, the mini is more responsive more of the time than the OG HomePod... but sometimes the OG is quick to respond. I hope my new HomePod (2nd gen) is more like the mini, but Siri will never be perfect.
So, what exactly is loosening up in this scenario? I've seen a lot of theories that the structure of wood (and the moisture within it) adapt to forced vibrations in instruments, but there's not a lot of wood in a HomePod...
It’s Apple pricing. Expected. But I agree on Siri. An absolutely joke compared to the others. And I use both Siri and Alexa multiple times a day every single day. In every aspect of day to day life Siri is subpar. Even the most basic things I am told to try again on my iPhone (so she can just show me a google search of what I’m asking).