HomePod Turns 8: Here's When to Expect New Models

[ignatius345]

just two words : Software Updates.

My original HomePods have gotten software updates as recently as a few weeks ago. In some cases, like with Enhance Dialogue on Apple TV, there have been added features, even.

If they were "just" speakers, they shouldn't have been priced as they were. When Apple proudly puts an iPhone inside of the speaker, it is natural to expect from Apple to deliver and evolve extra features that complement the "core functions".

The sound reproduction tech inside them -- multiple speakers, and microphones for optimizing audio -- are what drove the price. They have a processor inside, but not "an iPhone"s worth by any means. At some point it's not realistic to expect that a product that came out nearly a decade ago is going to gain a ton of new capabilities. As long as they continue to be updated for compatibility with my other Apple devices, they're viable and useful devices.

 

[pacmania1982]

My first gen died - I loved it but am loathed to spend on another one...

 

[Lioness~]

Not ever going to buy any more speakers from Apple, I’ll keep the ones I have (2 x HomePod's and 2 x mini's), for now. But as I don’t use, or like Siri, I’m not interested in products from of Apple that are so hard to turn that ’thing' off on.

I am however looking to replace 2 sets of old bluetooth speakers with better ones - like studio bluetooth speakers from probably Pioneer, or Yamaha or similar in a reasonable time.

 

[Alex.ne]

Ok wireless speaker then.

I’d say by that means it is portable.

I guess I’ve never understood what this thing is supposed to be…

It is as portable as 27 inch iMac Pro was. Oh, wait...

 

[boswald]

I disabled all the "smart" features on Day 1 for all my HomePods and haven't been happier. They sound fantastic and I use them every day. It's a shame about Siri, but c'est la vie.

 

[rlewisphilly]

I have two of the original Gen 1 models and they are both still running extremely well.

So do I and I agree. I use them for home audio for streaming services and cable TV...besides music. I never really tried to use the Siri/AI element...I just wanted great sounding speakers...and that's what I got in a relatively small speaker package.

 

[Allyance]

I still have my original speaker in the window of my kitchen, my cat loves it and will turn it on occasionally!

I was in the retail and professional sound business for over 20 years, I am amazed at the sound quality for it's size. I do find that does not sound that great when first turned on, but it seem to self adjust to location conditions, then becomes very pleasant to listen to. I live in a very small home, my home theater system is in the next room. If I want to listen to music seriously, I will use my Apple TV to play my iTunes and online streaming.

 

[Biro]

I gave up on my HomePods after about six months. Too many “Farts of Death” after which the devices forgot everything and became stupid.

 

[GhostLodes]

I have two of the original Gen 1 models and they are both still running extremely well.

Same here. Love them until I have to deal with Siri.

 

[19callum93]

I still have the OG HomePod and still works perfectly to this day.

 

[Princejb134]

That is exactly why Apple did what they did. When they released the original HomePod, it was packed with features. That left Apple with no clear upgrade path, so they had to go back to square one.

Why would one upgrade a speaker so often. Its real purpose is to listen to music. Everything also is just a plus in my eyes.

 

[nathansz]

It is as portable as 27 inch iMac Pro was. Oh, wait...

Oh I guess I didn’t realize the HomePod was 20”x25” and weighed 20 lbs

My mistake

 

[Pascal Desjardins]

My original HomePods are stopping/restarting music quite often during the day... both with music started from Hey Siri on the HomePod or from the iPhone/iPad. Very annoying. Wifi is good, and restart cycles doesn't do anything. My worst experience with apple products. Not much help in the forums and not much info about this in the logs...

 

[citysnaps]

I have three 1st gen HomePods and two Mini HomePods. All working great with excellent sound. And with Siri that works perfectly.

I'm looking forward to see what Apple offers for their next gen HomePods.

 

[zapmymac]

Still daily driving my 2 OG’s ✅🥳🥳

I just very careful about updating their firmware….

 

[UltimaKilo]

I still have my original speaker in the window of my kitchen, my cat loves it and will turn it on occasionally!View attachment 2516616
I was in the retail and professional sound business for over 20 years, I am amazed at the sound quality for it's size. I do find that does not sound that great when first turned on, but it seem to self adjust to location conditions, then becomes very pleasant to listen to. I live in a very small home, my home theater system is in the next room. If I want to listen to music seriously, I will use my Apple TV to play my iTunes and online streaming.

The original HomePod is the best speaker for the buck you can get. Unfortunately, they gimped the newer ones and the sound is not as good. I returned the 2nd gen HomePod and stuck with my OG. Still incredible to this day!

 

[Miles Teg]

What I really want is an updated AppleTV with Apple Intelligence and links to ChatGPT and possibly Google Gemini in the future if rumors are true. Then my HomePods will finally be what they were promised to be intelligence wise.

 

[switz]

I still have my G4 Cube with its round ball speakers on display. That was a truly unique design.

The first generation Home Pod speakers have a fantastic design internally of speakers and microphones so the pair can adjust to the room for the best sound possible their size. They get moved every so often to be dusted and put back close (inches) to where they were since new. Probably the oldest operational Apple devices we have except for my wife's iPod with the wide connector.

 

[goonie4life9]

Why would one upgrade a speaker so often. Its real purpose is to listen to music. Everything also is just a plus in my eyes.

Because that is Apple’s business model - perpetual, high margin purchases.

 

[wbeasley]

Could we stop saying the square screen is iPad-like and maybe move to "Apple Watch like"?

Square design, simple tasks, focused on always on information display.
What works and is understood by so many Watch owners could easily scale up a few inches to be this new device.

 

[Tsurisuto]

What I personally would like from the new HomePods is the Ability to pair 4 speakers together for a proper surround sound setup. Maybe new Apple’s wireless chips will make this possible? I would also love Apple to add a dedicated wireless subwoofer to the setup too, but that’s just a pipe dream.

 

[firewire9000]

I love my HomePods, don’t get me wrong. I have 9 of them between our house and office. BUT, this has to be among the most ignored Apple products ever. Can’t believe we’re heading rapidly towards a decade and the product has devolved more than it’s evolved.

Ignored but still supported surprisingly.

 

[Asthmatic Kitty]

Sure, the HomePods audio quality wasn't/isn't up to the same standards as pretty much any system with floor standing speakers, but it sure isn't terrible either. especially at reasonable volume levels. And the simplicity of operating them, not to mention the space that they don't take up makes them a very nice option for recovering audiophiles that need to share living space with other humans.

I've never heard the term “recovering audiophiles” before, but I love it 😆

 

[iBreatheApple]

We have a black and a white original Home Pod speaker (easy to tell left from right after wife shuffles furniture) that produce great sound. In many ways, Siri then is just as good as Siri now which is an extremely low bar. My wife's british accent still gives Siri fits.

The second generation of the large Home Pod speaker was an extreme downgrade in quality so did not acquire them.

On paper or you observed this? I was wondering how much “worse” it sounded. I have gen 1 and I think it sounds exceptional. Was sad to see the next gen specs.

 

[lk400]

I have six of these around the house. Most are from launch or shortly after. All still work perfectly and are as impressive as when new from an audio quality perspective. I did have to replace one due to the common clicking bug which ultimately killed the device. But to Apple’s credit, they replaced it out of warranty. The only thing that’s degraded over time is Siri. To me, at least, all of the tweaks and changes to Siri have made it worse. From the way it responds to questions about weather, to turning down the sensitivity to allow for “Siri” instead of “Hey siri”. Still very pleased with this device.

I contrast this with my launch day AirPods Max. Those still sound great, but the headband has worn out (through pretty minimal use) which makes them almost unwearable now due to the weight combined with two hard metal bands on the top of my head. I sometimes put a folded face towel on my head in order to listen.