Apple’s New Full-Sized HomePod Offers More Smart Home Prowess
Reading Time: 2 minutesBack from the dead, the second-generation device is sporting a built-in temperature and humidity sensor and more.
What’s old is new again. After discontinuing the original HomePod almost two years ago, Apple has reversed course by introducing a new model.
We’ll highlight what’s new with the second-generation smart speaker, including a number of smart home goodies.
The HomePod Is Back
In a press release, Apple announced the return of the second-generation HomePod.
On the outside, the new model looks almost identical to the original with a mesh fabric exterior and a backlit touch surface on the top.
But there are a number of notable improvements inside.
The speaker is powered by the faster S7 chip found in the latest Apple Watch models. It also offers the same Ultra Wideband technology found in the HomePod mini. That allows users to hand off what they are playing on the iPhone, even including a phone call.
When combined with an Apple TV 4K, the speaker also supports eARC technology. That will allow you to use the HomePod as the audio system for all devices connected to the TV.
Along with those improvements, Apple is also making it a better smart home companion.
The HomePod now offers a built-in temperature and humidity sensor. That will allow you to pair it with other automations in your home. So, for example, if a room rises above a certain temperature, you could automatically turn a fan on.
And the good news is that the same feature is coming to the existing HomePod mini. A software update will turn on the same hardware located in the smaller speaker.
On the HomePod, there is also a new confirmation tone when a Siri request is made to control a smart home accessory that may not visibly show change. That could be an accessory in another room or something like a heater.
The smart speaker will also act as a Matter hub and control Matter-enabled accessories.
You can select from a midnight or white color of the new HomePod. It retails for $299. You can order it now and it will officially hit the market on Friday, February 3, 2023.
A Second Life for the HomePod
While the new HomePod has been rumored for a while, it is interesting to see the discontinued speaker line come back to life.
The original HomePod was discontinued for a number of reasons, including the high price compared to other options from Google and Amazon. But the smart speaker found a second life from music fans enjoying the high-quality sound.
The Right Notes for Your Smart Home?
Even though Apple has added some great new features, it will be interesting to see if the new model can do what the original didn’t. Especially when the HomePod mini offers many of the same features for $200 less.
Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/apple-new-full-sized-homepod-more-smart-home-prowess/
Ref: makeuseof
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