Adam Kos In the spring of this year, Apple stopped selling its HomePod, which it did not support with any direct successor. Sure, there is still a mini model in the company's portfolio, but the success and failure of the company's smart speakers cannot be based on it. Chile is thus speculating about the 2nd generation HomePod. But will we ever see it?
The HomePod was Apple's flagship Siri-enabled smart speaker that offered a premium audio experience and the ability to control smart home products (which could be the hub), respond to text messages, and more. Its biggest problem was the price, because it simply could not stand up to the competition, especially with Google and Amazon. This is also why Apple introduced the mini model in 2020. He cut it down on options, but also above all on price.
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When will the 2nd generation come
While Apple tends to update its main product lines, i.e. Watch, iPhone, iPad and Mac, on an annual basis, the same certainly cannot be said for its audio collection. AirPods, AirPods Pro and HomePod are on a completely different update schedule here, when, for example, we usually wait 2,5 for the new generation of AirPods. Of course, it is not known how it is with the HomePod. It went on sale at the beginning of 2018, so if we applied the model from AirPods to it, we should have seen its second generation already last year.
But the mini model just arrived, namely in November. So, if we count it in the same cycle, it came out only with a decent delay, and we should not expect a new model from the HomePod family until 2023. And that is still a very long time, which of course we do not want to identify with at all. However, the currently expanded color portfolio could also indicate this.
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Design
It's quite difficult to predict what the successor to the first HomePod might actually look like, because there aren't many leaks yet regarding the appearance. That is, if we do not count the one that combines it with Apple TV and possibly the one with the iPad arm. But these are very wild ideas. The second HomePod could actually look identical to its first generation. But it could be round, like the mini version, only proportionally bigger of course.
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It is rather unlikely that Apple would completely redesign it. Its design is pleasing, and any extreme change could look out of place in contrast to the mini model. In fact, there isn't even any negative feedback across the internet about how the HomePod actually looked. Its weight of 2,5 kg is not really a problem either, because you don't have to constantly carry it from place to place. In addition, the backlit surface is very effective and the mesh it is covered with is pleasant.
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Amaya Toman Function
At the heart of the HomePod you'll find the now-obsolete A8 chip. This is the same chip that was introduced with the iPhone 6 in 2015. Of course, what chip the new device would get depends on when it will be introduced. Now, the A12 Bionic could be offered as the optimal solution - because of machine learning. It should also be supplemented by the U1 chip. This technology makes it easier for Apple devices to communicate, facilitating faster data transfer as well as more accurate location sharing. E.g. Using the U1 chip, the HomePod Mini can detect when an iPhone is near it and change its audio output to the speaker and vice versa.
Homepod concept with Apple TV
Of course, support for AirPlay 2, intercom, and the ability to recognize up to six different household members based on the sound of their voice or surround sound should be included. There are also many calls for full support for alternative streaming services and, of course, a smarter Siri, which will probably be the biggest problem. And even for potential domestic users. Until this voice assistant learns Czech, HomePod in any of its forms will simply not be officially distributed in our country.
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Magazine report Bloomberg also highlighted a previously (un)discovered feature that describes a sensor that could allow internet-connected thermostats to adjust different parts of the house's temperature based on current conditions. With this, interesting automations could come, such as activating smart fans, etc.
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Price
The potential is there, whether we're talking about wild ideas combining different products or just a bare second version. It would definitely be a shame if Apple were to abandon this line of development and only offer the mini version until sold out. However, because he tried to revive it with fresh colors, it may not be the end of all HomePods. Maybe we will see it already in the spring of next year, and maybe we will be surprised by the price. After all, Apple must already know that the one set in the first generation was somewhat overkill. Although logical, because by selling it he needed to pay for the development.
Across Czech e-shops, you can get an imported HomePod mini for a price of around 2 CZK. It would therefore be appropriate to pay around six to seven thousand for such a large solution once. Whether this price will be defensible, of course, depends on what the new HomePod will look like in the end and what it will be able to do.
