This week, Apple unexpectedly announced the second generation of the full-sized HomePod, some two years after discontinuing the original smart speaker.
The updated HomePod, priced at $299, joins the HomePod mini in Apple’s TV and home lineup with several new changes and features. A lower launch price, slightly changed design and feature set are expected to make the second-generation HomePod more successful than its predecessor, which failed to capture mainstream market share, eventually leading to its discontinuation. Below, we’ve highlighted exactly what’s changed with the second-generation HomePod compared to the first-generation smart speaker.
Faster performance of Siri and services
As part of the all-new HomePod, Apple included the S7 processor, the same chip found in the Apple Watch Series 7, which powers room sensing, advanced computational audio, Siri and more. The S7 chip is an upgrade to the A8 chip that powered the first generation HomePod and the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The chip will help improve the experience of using Siri and services like Apple Music and iHeartRadio.
Fewer microphones and beepers
The next-generation HomePod has four built-in microphones, compared to the six-microphone system in the first-generation HomePod. Even if users are across the room, away from the speaker, listening to music, the HomePod’s microphones allow them to call Siri and control their HomePod.
The latest HomePod also has fewer tweeters than the original first-generation model. Apple’s specs reveal that the new HomePod has five tweeters around its base, compared to seven in the original smart speaker. The tweeters help boost HomePod’s acoustic performance by optimizing “the high frequencies to produce detailed, articulate sound with stunning clarity.” Reducing the number of tweeters and microphones is likely a cost-cutting measure by Apple. It is currently unknown if this will result in a noticeable drop in audio performance.
Easily detachable power cable
Original first generation HomePod
Unlike the original HomePod, which required force to remove the cable, the new HomePod has an easily detachable power cable, allowing users to quickly detach the cable from the speaker for travel or storage.
Larger backlit touch interface
One of the noticeable design changes with the updated HomePod is the larger backlit touch interface at the top. Compared to the original HomePod, the new model features a significantly larger interface that glows and illuminates different colors to indicate different speaker states and when Siri is being used.
Lighter and shorter design
Apple’s website dimensions for the second-generation HomePod help put the updated model’s size and form factor into perspective relative to its predecessor. The brand new HomePod weighs 5.16 pounds, compared to 5.5 pounds for the original smart speaker. The updated HomePod is also 6.6 inches tall, compared to 6.8 inches. Both HomePods have the same width of 5.6 inches.
Thread and UI Ultra Wideband Chip
The new HomePod supports Thread, a connectivity standard for smart home devices that improves connectivity by allowing Thread devices to communicate directly with each other over a low-power mesh network. The original HomePod lacked Thread support, with only the HomePod mini having compatibility.
The new HomePod also has a built-in U1 Ultra Wideband chip that detects when other U1-equipped devices, such as newer iPhone models, are nearby and allows them to quickly stream audio to the smart speaker.
What hasn’t changed
With the new HomePod, there are two things that haven’t changed: no Bluetooth support and built-in audio. Unlike other speakers, the new HomePod, like the previous-generation model and the current HomePod mini, cannot function as a standalone Bluetooth speaker. Users must pair HomePod with their iPhone or iPad and use Apple’s AirPlay standard or Siri to play audio. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the new HomePod lacks an audio jack, optical audio port, or other ports. All interaction with HomePod is done wirelessly using Apple devices.
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