Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
New HomePod and HomePod Mini Now Feature Temperature and Humidity Sensing [Updated]
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
nutmac
macrumors 603
So far, it seems the new HomePod has:
- 5 tweeters vs. 7 tweeters on the OG model, so it will probably sound a bit worse.
- S7 processor instead of A8. S7 has A13's efficiency cores with 1GB RAM and 32GB flash storage.
- Temperature and humidity sensors.
- Thread radio.
- Ultrawide band (U1).
- Sound recognition.
- Little bit lighter and shorter.
- $50 cheaper.
beanbaguk
macrumors 65816
Well, yes, I agree it's utterly useless on a laptop. I agree with that.
However, in a smart home environment, it's pretty handy. My system allows me to turn lights on and off, set scenes, set the alarm (you can't turn it off with voice....obviously).
My son uses his HomePod Mini all the time to blare out Deadmau5 and whatever music he wants. (Alexa never understood him, and Siri just works with him). I've also set it up so that if he gets scared with a nightmare, instead of screaming, he can just say, "Hey Siri! Get mummy and daddy!" and that will turn up the lights a little and send us an announcement in our room.
He's only used it once, but it's given him loads of confidence in that he's safe which little kids need. Plus he now just uses it to turn the lights up slightly.
In the car, I use it to manage my music, but also to make calls, message using voice messages and accurately find destinations.
I understand it doesn't work on a laptop, but even I can't see any reason to have it on my MacBook Pro M1 and also have it disabled.
ETA: The temp / humidity sensor is annoying, as I've spent a small fortune installing Netatmo sensors in all our rooms.
beanbaguk
macrumors 65816
In case you get frustrated with Siri? 🤣
izyreal
macrumors regular
I wish it had a functional screen. I'd like to be able to put this next to my front door and have it passively display the weather and maybe some other basic info. I'd like it if the mini had a screen so I could put it in the kitchen and see timers and other info. I know a screen isn't a game changer in terms of functionality, but for me it would be the feature that pushes me to actually purchase a HomePod.
centauratlas
macrumors 68020
alexandr
macrumors 603
NightFox
macrumors 68040
NightFox
macrumors 68040
But I'd imagine most people will still keep the insides of their houses within this range, regardless of outside environment
alexandr
macrumors 603
I live on the the 24th floor, so not as much, but a chopper could go offtrack)
klasma
macrumors G4
xraydoc
Contributor
Doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t sound as good. Depends on the quality of the speakers and other factors, too.
marty1980
macrumors 6502a
Can’t do much else, but you can listen to music and know the temperature of the room the speaker is in, so.. totally worth the price over other options 🙄 /s
klasma
macrumors G4
- S7 processor instead of A8. S7 has A13's efficiency cores with 1GB RAM and 32GB flash storage.
Anyone know how the A8 and S7 compare? just had a look and can't find anything - Doesn't help the A8 Cortex chip exists in google searches.
Just wondering how it will fair as a Home hub compared to the Mini / Apple TV 4K ( which presumably is a lot faster )
BorisDG
macrumors 6502a
S7 should smoke the A8 with ease. S7 is based on A13 (two efficient cores of it) vs A8 which is also dual-core. I mean A13 is still pretty modern SoC.
20nm vs 7nm+ (N7P)
20nm vs 7nm+ (N7P)
We are talking the Apple A8. What's the connection with Cortex?
MacWiz_007
Suspended
Siri works great for me, on all of my HomePods.
Consider scheduling some product assistance at a local Apple Store?
macos9rules
macrumors 6502
Apart from the temperature and humidity sensor, is there anything else new compared to the original? And how can a mono speaker offer Spatial Audio?
slplss
macrumors 6502a
I wonder if the sensor will be exposed to HomeKit otherwise no automations for you.
Yptcn
macrumors 68020
I'm not sure I got it right . I have 2 small HomePods. Will this feature be activated on them or only on new ones ?
Powerbooky
macrumors demi-god
Bummer... all new design? Not really, again it uses 802.11n (Wifi 4) like the current HomePod mini!! Hoped for 802.11ax which is more capable and has better range. I cannot find it in the detailed specifications on Apple's webpage, but if its Wifi is anything like the HomePod mini which is single channel only (72Mbps) without multi-user, then you cannot play music "everywhere" to more than 4 units at the same time (on one wifi AP).
We can only hope that both HomePod models have the option to get wider wifi channel use by a software update.
We can only hope that both HomePod models have the option to get wider wifi channel use by a software update.
slplss
macrumors 6502a
I guess 6 mics was a little overkill. But those cuts on tweeters will be noticeable. We'll see/hear in sound tests.