Kuo: Apple to Release New HomePod in Late 2022 or Early 2023

[Rogifan]

I don’t get the point of the larger HomePod. The first one failed because it was too expensive for the masses but wasn’t good enough for audiophiles. People using ’smart’ speakers for the smarts don’t care about audio quality, they just want something small and inexpensive. If Apple wants to get back into the speaker game make a really good soundbar.

 

[ignatius345]

BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL!!!

Or at least something better than the Mini. *shrug* I'm knee deep in portable speakers as it is...

I think the Mini works pretty nicely as a satellite to a full-sized HomePod. But yeah, on its own it's a bit anemic.

 

[blcamp]

If it's an updated version of the larger HomePod (and same size)...

 

[anthogag]

I tried HomePod. I returned it for 2 reasons. Bass was crappy and it didn't have BlueTooth connection for my iPhone.

This likely also means AirPods Max 2 is coming...truly wireless

 

[Benjamin Nabulsi]

It better an upgrade for the big homepod. it's about time.
there must be a wired option too, hope they've learned from the original.

 

[44267547]

This is probably the most surprising news I’ve read in a while on this site.

If it’s true, I’m on board as long as it’s not the mini. I prefer to have what the original HomePod offers already, which is really more sound dynamic and it resonates so well within a room, regardless of the scaling.

Regardless of the competition, I think there needs to be a segment of products with the HomePod, [both small and large], and the larger version needs to make a comeback, which it definitely has a place in this market, if the pricing segment is appropriately comparable to the competition, being there are so many choices in the Smart speaker category.

 

[ChromeAce]

I want audiophile HomePods the size of a refrigerator.

 

[211]

AppleTV combined with a HomePod Bar 👌🏻

I really hope  does this. Whilst it has given up on an actual TV but not tv+, a TV setup would be the way to go. A modular system where people can buy HomePods dotted around the house for listening to music, or add them together with an  sound bar for surround sound

 

[randyhudson]

If you think the HomePod is all about Siri then you don’t understand the product.

Exactly. Really the HomePod is just a ridiculously expensive bluetooth speaker that has to be plugged in.

 

[jonnyb098]

I’ll never get why they discontinued the original. The sound is incredible. The price was terrible though given that Siri is kinda meh. Bundling this with a year of Apple Music for $199 would be a killer deal.

But Im still hoping for a TravelPod….homepod mini except with battery and charging base. I would also pay $200 for a device like this. My Bose SoundLink ($179) sounds incredible for the size and is our take anywhere speaker for BBQs, traveling, family events. I think apple is missing out on a huge untapped market here Not to mention BANKING off accessories.

 

[Rychiar]

They sent out a survey to owners of the big HomePod a few months ago asking what we liked/didn't like about the product.

My biggest wish item was a simple 3.5mm input - I'd be much more inclined to just dock an iPod next to it and let it play local music than I am to try to AirPlay something to it. And for the price and 'premium range' they were going for, I feel like that's not a big ask.

that sounds very 2004 and unnecessary.... no one has iPods anymore and no one wants to leave their phone unattended on a dock when airplay exists...

 

[The Game 161]

can't see myself buying another HomePod. not until Siri becomes usable. the two minis I have are basically used as my Apple TV speakers and nothing else really.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

I just don’t understand why she has to respond to every request. I dont need you let me know media will now play softer. Just lower the volume..

In terms of successful interactions, she’s been reduced to ”hey siri set timer”

Man I agree!! Just so the damn action and let that speak for itself.

 

[PsykX]

If you think the HomePod is all about Siri then you don’t understand the product.

Then tell me what else there is if you are so brilliant and I'm not.
Because this is exactly how Apple markets it. And every time you interact with it, it's through Siri.

 

[GMShadow]

that sounds very 2004 and unnecessary.... no one has iPods anymore and no one wants to leave their phone unattended on a dock when airplay exists...

For the $350+ speaker market, a good number are audiophiles and would prefer to send lossless files to the device directly.

You don't make something praised for its sound quality, then dictate to people that they can't leverage it fully, and then expect to have great success.

 

[Mark Holmes]

So happy to see this. We've been using two HomePod Minis as our home theater setup with our Apple TV 4K for months now. Totally seamless. Now, it took Apple a LONG time to sort the software out. It was maddening at first, and I kept giving up initially, with the stereo pairing completely unreliable. But it has literally been months now that they've been successfully paired with the Apple TV and it just works perfectly. All. The. Time.

Dragged our huge stereo receiver and speakers out to the garage for the next garage sale. Even bought a second pair for the bedroom TV as well.

We've been hoping for either the return of the original HomePod or the introduction of something larger than the Minis. They sound great but their sound just needs a little more oomph for how we're using them. We'd LOVE for Apple to take it to the next level and make it possible to use Minis as surrounds for a larger front stereo pair.

It sure seems like Apple has started listening to their customers lately!

 

[DeepIn2U]

EXCELLENT NEWS!!

I'm still enjoying my 'original' Homepods, and I hope that this is a larger speaker than the HomePod mini.

I don’t want some silly display on it like the Amazon speakers that’s garbage no he’s gonna sit and always have it in the kitchen there’s other places a speaker can be.

Apple needs to create a home stereo wireless speaker system or ecosystem that competes head on with Sonos they shouldn’t just only focus on this market they should be looking at car manufactures and looking at speaker systems and there is partnerships as well how boast they’re supposed car business.

The most critical in key component especially if Apple‘s gonna be focus on Apple Music classic then they should consider that people still love listening to the warm Ricch sound of analogue mastered music sources having an preamp and a wireless connection in that amp to home Wi-Fi and the other HomePod speakers is the critical factor that will have people overlooking any lacking functionality in Siri for this.

Remember Sonos is slated to release their own AI competitor, which I think is a waste of resources but if better than Siri then Apple should fire all their AI lead team members cause squat is being done. Dead weight wasted funds!

 

[tubular]

Then tell me what else there is if you are so brilliant and I'm not.
Because this is exactly how Apple markets it. And every time you interact with it, it's through Siri.

No, this isn't how Apple marketed the original HomePod. You had to go about five deep in their list of features before you even hit Siri integration.

 

[PsykX]

No, this isn't how Apple marketed the original HomePod. You had to go about five deep in their list of features before you even hit Siri integration.

Take a look at the official page and tell me with a straight face that Siri isn't front and center :
https://www.apple.com/homepod-mini/
There's 30 instances of "Siri" on this page.

How they marketed it originally a few years ago is irrelevant if this is what you mean. They marketed the Apple Watch as a productivity device and we all know today it's a health device first and foremost and this is now how they pitch it.

 

[tubular]

For the $350+ speaker market, a good number are audiophiles and would prefer to send lossless files to the device directly.

You don't make something praised for its sound quality, then dictate to people that they can't leverage it fully, and then expect to have great success.

Exactly this. I've got a library of lossless rips I can send losslessly to very good lossless speakers. What's not to like?

I think that by the time people figured out what the original HomePod was, and it was fully supported by Apple with stereo pairing, it was too late for that model. I hope Apple does a better job controlling the message on relaunch -- too many reviewers dumped it into the wrong category.

The ones who are just looking for an Echo Dot but with an Apple logo -- well, Jeff Bezos says hi to your data.

 

[44267547]

I see quite a few members mentioning that they use the HomePod/Mini for their home surround set up, I don’t think that would suffice for me, as I do have a more serious ‘JBL’ set up that’s pretty explosive. I think where the HomePod really serves for me, is portable sound wherever I need it, rather be in the garage detailing cars, living room, basement, etc. that’s what I like about it, whereas; with my twin JBL set-up, that’s made for more of a ‘permanent placement’ for my entertainment/gaming set up.

But with the HomePod, I want the portability, where it’s small enough, but it also is more than adequate with the sound dynamics with the acoustics, that’s what I’m sold on.

 

[tubular]

How they marketed it originally a few years ago is irrelevant.

Not if you're trying to understand what Apple's doing with the product line.

 

[Mark Holmes]

I see quite a few members mentioning that they use the HomePod/Mini for their home surround set up, I don’t think that would suffice for me, as I do have a more serious ‘JBL’ set up that’s pretty explosive. I think where the HomePod really serves for me, is portable sound wherever I need it, rather be in the garage detailing cars, living room, basement, etc. that’s what I like about it, whereas; with my twin JBL set-up, that’s made for more of a ‘permanent placement’ for my entertainment/gaming set up.

But with the HomePod, I want the portability, where it’s small enough, but it also is more than adequate with the sound dynamics with the acoustics, that’s what I’m sold on.

Yeah, totally. I think we demand less from our home theater setup than most. Never been a big audiophile guy. Apple would really have to step up their game to please the serious home theater audiophile crowd. I admittedly almost always have the Mini's volume at max or just below for it to work with our 120" projection setup. What I love most about them is their unobtrusive size, their integration with Apple TV, which is our sole TV interface and the perfect (for us) presentation of vocals in their sound.

 

[vmistery]

Might be a year of accessories for me this time then, new HomePod, Apple Watch 8 and new AirPods Pro. I just get this feeling that the iPhone this year won’t quite tempt me from my 12 mini!

 

[GermanSuplex]

I really like my HomePod. I think it’s a solid device that doesn’t necessarily need new hardware updates (though I understand those who want them). I like it’s simplicity and stationary design. And it sounds great. As long as the hardware can handle the software updates, I’d be cool with it as-is, though I’m interested in seeing what they come up with.