Adam Kos It's been two years since Apple discontinued the original HomePod, leaving only the HomePod mini in its speaker lineup. Because of its moniker, it is appropriate for Apple to present a full-fledged model, which we should expect already this year. But what should he be able to do?
The end of the HomePod came in March 2021, but we can only guess why. Allegedly, this was due to the high price and poor sales associated with it, as well as low competitiveness with regard to the smart speakers of the competition, especially those from Amazon together with Google. Since the HomePod mini was already introduced in 2020, the portfolio deserves to be expanded again after three years.
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More powerful chip
The original HomePod contained an A8 chip, but the new one should receive the S8 chip that beats in the Apple Watch Series 8. This product will ensure a long life without the need for hardware updates, while serving all important functions and, moreover, those that will come gradually over time.
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Broadband chip U1
This chip is used so that as soon as another device approaches the device, i.e. an iPhone, it allows it to transmit sound without any complicated switching. The HomePod mini has it, so it would be easy if the successor to the original HomePod also included it. Additionally, the chip could have other uses with regard to near-field data transmission, improved AR experiences, or accurate location tracking within the home.
Bigger and better controls
Both HomePod models have an illuminated touch control on the top, which you can use to call up Siri or set the playback volume. But this interface is relatively small, limited, and while the changing effects look nice, it is perhaps too unused because it does not display any graphics.
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LiDAR
To control one more time. According to the available patents, there is lively speculation that the HomePod should be equipped with LiDAR scanners to be able to recognize the gestures you make on it. It would simplify control, when you would not have to speak to it through Siri or get up to control it through the touch screen when you cannot find where you left your iPhone.
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Vratislav Holub Price
When the HomePod entered the market, Apple gave it an unnecessarily high price tag of $349, which it later reduced to $299 to stimulate sales more. It cannot be said that it would help in any way. At the same time, the HomePod mini is sold for 99 dollars, you can get it here in the gray import for a price tag of around 2 CZK. In order for the novelty to be competitive, the price should be somewhere around 699 dollars, if Apple wanted to make a profit, it should not set it higher than 200 dollars, otherwise there is a risk of potential failure.
