Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

New HomePod Launches Today, Apple Store Pickup Now Available

StudioMacs said:
802.11n can run on the 5 GHz band, and HomePod mini does indeed connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks (Like other S5 powered devices).

I know this because my 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks are named differently, and mini connects to the 5 GHz network. A quick web search will also support this.
Click to expand...

OK, nothing to do with antennas then.

The change must be due to switching to S-series (ie: Apple Watch) SoCs in the HomePod mini and HomePod 2nd-gen, which have built-in 802.11n WiFi.

The original HomePod used an A8 SoC and would have had a 3rd-party WiFi module with more capabilities?
 
  • Like
Reactions: StudioMacs and cjgrif
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗 said:
So excited to receive mine. Better yet, it’s coming from Apple’s new distribution center in Indiana.

www.indystar.com

Apple establishing $100M distribution center in Hendricks County, creating up to 500 new jobs

Project aims to accelerate delivery times for U.S. customers.
www.indystar.com

cbs4indy.com

Apple announces new facility in Hendricks County

CLAYTON, Ind. — Apple announced plans Monday to invest in new operations in central Indiana, opening a state-of-the-art distribution center in Hendricks County. Apple’s investment will suppor…
cbs4indy.com

View attachment 2152946
View attachment 2152945
Click to expand...
That's pretty neat! Thanks for pointing that out.
 
  • Love
Reactions: TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️
MrMacintoshIII said:
Just chiming in to say that I tried multiple zip codes and none of them allow pickup anywhere and shipping delayed many weeks out.

I feel like this is obvious and is not being reported.
Click to expand...
Same for midnight here. But five have white. This happens all the time for electronics because dark electronics are so much nicer looking that white and see less dust/dirt on darker
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️
Seems like it was supposed to be announced in November 2022. Check this out. I wish it had said 2023.

1675449206615.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gengar, svish and orbital~debris
Stuipdboy1000 said:
Local store has already slipped to 14th March for the Midnight option. Had availability at 8am this morning so either stores aren’t getting many units in or it has been super popular. I’m going with not many units!
Click to expand...
Initial demand and FOMO, give it three to six months then the discounts for mother’s/father‘s day, Veterans Day, Independence Day, Prime Days will follow promptly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cashville2400 and compwiz1202
code-m said:
Initial demand and FOMO, give it three to six months then the discounts for mother’s/father‘s day, Veterans Day, Independence Day, Prime Days will follow promptly.
Click to expand...
50% off new HP for father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate day!
 
  • Haha
Reactions: code-m
code-m said:
Initial demand and FOMO, give it three to six months then the discounts for mother’s/father‘s day, Veterans Day, Independence Day, Prime Days will follow promptly.
Click to expand...
That's true...and there's also other retailers that will have their own sales (and stock).

I just checked and a few Best Buys in my area have it in stock for pick up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: code-m and compwiz1202
Reason077 said:
5 Ghz WiFi will give a faster connection, but 2.4 Ghz will typically give better signal range, and thus a more stable connection when the HomePod is in a room far from the WiFi router.

Making it 802.11n only was probably a deliberate decision on Apple's part. It'll save a few cents on antennas but also should improve WiFi reliability for most users, in a device that simply doesn't need high bandwidth.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure that was a factor in the decision, since the 802.11n chip they’re using also uses 5GHz.

I agree though that 802.11n is probably enough, even with HomeKit Secure Video processing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reason077
anzio said:
I’m not sure that was a factor in the decision, since the 802.11n chip they’re using also uses 5GHz.

I agree though that 802.11n is probably enough, even with HomeKit Secure Video processing.
Click to expand...

Yes, see my follow up post. It does support 5 GHz.

And that 802.11n chip is the Apple S7, same as found in the Apple Watch: the S7 has built-in 802.11n WiFi so naturally Apple preferred to use that rather than integrate a 3rd-party WiFi chip.
 
James_C said:
Well you are entitled to your option, but I bought 4 of the OG HomePods and 5 Mini's - I replaced all my Sonos units with Apple's HomePods and have not looked back, I think they are great, particularly when they are in a stereo pair. Siri does everything I need it too, play music, turn the lights off and on, call my family. I personally don't want a better home assistant sending everything I say back to their mothership.
Click to expand...

I have two of the originals that somehow made it through the updates. I would never have paid msrp for them though. Which is the point. Nothing changes with these.
 
User 6502 said:
Apple’s reality distortion field hits once again. The home pod uses an outdated Wi-Fi standard just because it’s using a cheaper Watch chip, downgraded from a more expensive iPhone chip of the previous HomePod. It has nothing to do with bandwidth or stability or anything: it’s just apple trying to increase their margins, same thing they did by removing two tweeters and two microphones.
Click to expand...

Hey, they shaved $50 off the price despite all the inflation in the past couple of years. Can’t do that without cutting some corners somewhere, and in this case the corners don’t matter. No point increasing costs by adding expensive parts that don’t improve the end product.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back