Vratislav Holub Apple introduced the new second-generation HomePod. Long-term speculations have finally been confirmed, and a brand new smart speaker will soon hit the market, from which the giant promises breathtaking sound quality, expanded smart functions and a number of other great options. What distinguishes the new product, what does it offer and when will it enter the market? That's exactly what we're going to shed light on together now.
As we mentioned above, the HomePod (2nd generation) is a powerful smart speaker that offers a number of great gadgets wrapped in a sleek design. The new generation specifically brings even better audio with support for Spatial Audio. If we add to that the possibilities of the virtual assistant Siri, we get a great companion for everyday use. The absolute basis of the product is first-class sound quality, thanks to which you can immerse yourself in listening to your favorite music and perfectly sound the entire household.
Design
With regard to the design, we do not expect many changes from the first generation. According to the published photos, Apple intends to stick to the already captured appearance. On the sides, the HomePod (2nd generation) uses a seamless, acoustically transparent mesh that goes hand in hand with the top touchpad for easy and immediate control not only of playback, but also of the Siri voice assistant. At the same time, the product will be available in two versions, i.e. in white and so-called midnight, which resembles a black to space gray color. The power cable is also color matched.
Sound quality
Apple promises great improvements especially with regard to sound quality. According to him, the new HomePod is an acoustic fighter that playfully provides breathtaking sound with rich bass tones as well as crystal clear highs. The basis is a specially designed bass speaker with 20 mm drivers, which goes well with the built-in microphone with bass equalizer. All this is complemented by five tweeters with a strategic layout, thanks to which the product provides a perfect 360° sound. Acoustically, the product is on a completely new level. Its chip also plays an extremely important role. Apple has bet on the Apple S7 chipset in combination with an advanced software system that can unlock the full potential of the product and use it practically to the full.
Gallery
The HomePod (2nd generation) can automatically recognize the reflection of sound from nearby surfaces, according to which it can determine whether it is, for example, on one side of the wall or, on the contrary, standing freely in space. It then adjusts the sound itself in real time to achieve the best possible results. We certainly must not forget the already mentioned support for Spatial Audio. But if by chance the sound from one HomePod is not enough for you, you can simply connect a pair of speakers to create a stereo pair for a double dose of music. Apple has not forgotten even the most important thing – simple connection with the entire apple ecosystem. You can very easily communicate with the speaker via iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac, or it can be connected directly to Apple TV. In this regard, extensive options are offered, especially thanks to the Siri assistant and support for voice control.
Smart home
The importance of a smart home was not forgotten either. It is in this field that the smart speaker plays an extremely important role. In particular, it can be used as a home center, where it will take care of the complete control of the household, regardless of where you are in the world. At the same time, thanks to sound recognition technology, it can automatically detect beeping alarms and immediately inform about these facts via a notification on the iPhone. To make matters worse, the HomePod (2nd generation) also received a built-in temperature and humidity sensor, which can then be used to create various automations. An important novelty is the support of the new Matter standard, which is profiled as the future of the smart home.
Price and availability
Finally, let's shed some light on how much the HomePod (2nd generation) will actually cost and when it will be available. We will probably disappoint you in this regard. According to official sources, the speaker starts at 299 dollars (in the USA), which translates to roughly 6,6 thousand crowns. It will then head to retailers' counters on February 3. Unfortunately, as was the case with the first HomePod and HomePod mini, the HomePod (2nd generation) will not be officially available in the Czech Republic. In our country, it reaches the market only through various resellers, but it is necessary to expect that its price will be much higher.
Brand new, breathtaking, giant why do you put these hackneyed words in every article?
It's basically the same as the 1st generation, except for a few minor details. Good for guys.
And anything about whether they will work on Siri? Czech? Until
If I want "breathtaking sound", I probably won't buy a HomePod :)
In Czech they gouge.
Yeah, this took my breath away too,… =)
You are not alone!