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HomePod

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HomePod
A white HomePod (1st generation) on display atWWDC 2017
DeveloperApple
Manufacturer
TypeSmart speaker
Release dateFebruary 9, 2018;6 years ago(2018-02-09)(first generation)
February 3, 2023;19 months ago(2023-02-03)(second generation)
Units sold1-3 million (2018)[2]
Operating systemaudioOS,also known as "HomePod Software"
InputMulti-touchscreen,voice commandsviaSiri
RelatedHomePod Mini
Websitewww.apple.com/homepod/

TheHomePodis a series ofsmart speakersdeveloped byApple.Designed to work with theApple Musicsubscription service, the HomePod incorporatesbeamformingand eight speakers and is sold in two colors: white and midnight.[3][4]It is sold alongside theHomePod Mini,a smaller and less expensive variant introduced in 2020.

The first-generation HomePod was announced on June 5, 2017, at theApple Worldwide Developers Conference.[5][6]Its planned December launch was delayed:[6][7]Apple began taking orders on January 26, 2018, and released it on February 9, 2018.[8]The HomePod received mixed reviews: it was praised for its design and sound quality compared to other speakers of its price, and criticized for lack of third-party support and high price compared to other smart speakers. The first-generation HomePod sold an estimated 1 to 3 million units through August 2018. It was discontinued on March 12, 2021.[9]

The second-generation HomePod was announced on January 18, 2023, and released on February 3.[10]

First generation

[edit]

The HomePod has a rounded, cylindrical shape, and has a small touchscreen on its top. It has seventweetersin its base and a four-inchwoofer(Apple does not specify Hz frequency range) towards the top, as well as sixmicrophonesused forvoice controland acoustic optimization. The system-on-a-chip is theApple A8,which Apple previously included in the Apple TV HD, iPod touch (6th generation), iPad mini 4 and iPhone 6/6 Plus.[11][12]

Siri can be used to control the speaker and otherHomeKitdevices, and can be used to conduct text messaging and voice calls from an iPhone. The HomePod mainly supports Apple's own platforms and technologies, includingApple Music,iTunes Storepurchases andMatch,iTunes podcasts,Beats 1radio, andAirPlay(with limited third-party support for internet radio servicesiHeartRadio,Radio.com,andTuneIn). A device runningiOS 11or later is required for initial setup. HomePod can serve as a sound bar within a home entertainment system when selected through an Apple TV. The HomePod does not officially support audio-in fromBluetoothsources.[13][12]

AirPlay 2 and multi-room, multi-speaker support were announced in February 2018, and released in September 2018 in iOS 12 along with additional features such as multiple named timers, Find my iPhone, Siri shortcuts, the ability to make, receive and screen phone calls directly on the HomePod, and the ability to search for songs using the lyrics.[14]HomePod initially did not allow multiple users to use the device,[15]but multiuser support was added with the release of iOS 13.2.[16]

The 13.4 software update, released in March 2020, changed the OS from aniOScode base to atvOS-based system.[17]

Greenhouse gas emissions for production, expected use and recycling for the HomePod are estimated at 146 kgCO2e.[18]

Reception

[edit]

The HomePod received mixed reviews. The review fromThe Vergepraised the HomePod's automatic acoustic calibration system, and felt that it sounded "noticeably richer and fuller" than competitors such as theSonos One(described as sounding "a little empty" ) andGoogle Home Max(described as being a "bass-heavy mess" ).[4]The review fromArs Technicastated that the sound quality of the HomePod was "pretty good, rich and full for its size, better than the Sonos One but probably not $150 better, [and] a galaxy ahead of theEcho."[15]

Its lack of support for third-party services and platforms was criticized,[12][15][4]withArs Technicaarguing that it gave the device "intense inflexibility".[15]Siri on the HomePod was also criticized for its limited functionality in comparison to assistants such asAlexaandGoogle Assistant;The Vergecited the inability to actually place phone calls from the speaker (they must be made on an iPhone and transferred to the HomePod), set multipletimersat once, or distinguish between multiple voices, and only supporting basic commands when using AirPlay, among other limitations.[4][12]Multiplereminderscan be used in lieu of multiple timers, albeit with less precision than a timer.[19]All these issues have been fixed in iOS 12, released on September 17, 2018.[14]

The Vergegave HomePod a 7.5 out of 10, writing that it "does more to make music sound better than any other speaker of this kind has ever done before", but that consumers should consider other options "unless you live entirely inside Apple'swalled gardenand prioritize sound quality over everything else. "[4]Wiredshared similar criticisms over its lack of Siri functionality and support for third-party services, concluding that the HomePod would be of little interest to those who are not heavily invested in Apple's software and hardware ecosystem.[12]

It was reported by some owners that the HomePod's silicone base stained oiled wooden surfaces with a white "ring" mark.[20]Although Apple states that "it is not unusual for any speaker with a vibration-dampening silicone base to leave mild marks when placed on some wooden surfaces", and that the marks would eventually "improve" on its own, Stuart Miles (founder of the British technology blogPocket-lint) reported that in his experience, the stain occurred after only about 20 minutes of use on a wooden surface, and that he had to sand and re-oil the surface to remove it.[21]John Grubercriticized Apple for this abnormality, remarking that he had never seen an Apple product damage surfaces in such a manner before, and that it "seems like an issue that should have been caught during the period where HomePod was being widely tested at home by many Apple employees."[22]Apple issued a support document suggesting to concerned users that they place the HomePod on a different surface.[23]

Marketing and sales

[edit]

To promote the HomePod, Apple released "Welcome Home", a four-minute film directed bySpike Jonzeand starringFKA Twigs;commercial-length versions were also produced.[24]

Strategy Analytics estimated that around 600,000 HomePods were sold in the first quarter of 2018, making it the 4th-best-selling smart speaker brand afterAmazon,GoogleandAlibaba,giving Apple a 6% market share in the industry.[25]The HomePod also had 6% market share in the United States according to a report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners and sold an estimated 700,000 units worldwide in the second quarter of 2018.[26]Also in the second quarter of 2018, Strategy Analytics estimated that the HomePod outsold all smart speakers that cost more than $200, giving Apple a 70% market share in premium brand smart speakers.[27]As of mid-2018, the HomePod had sold an estimated 3 million units.[28]Sales increased 45% in Q4 2018, with Apple selling 1.6 million units that quarter.[29]In April 2019, Apple reduced the price to US$299;Gizmodonoted that permanent price cuts on current-generation Apple hardware are "beyond rare—they’re nearly unheard of."[30][31]In March 2021, the price was reduced to £279 in the UK.[32]As of May 2021, Apple was still reportedly selling units manufactured for the HomePod's launch stock.[30]

Discontinuation

[edit]

On March 12, 2021, Apple discontinued the HomePod, but kept the HomePod Mini. In a statement, Apple said "HomePod Mini has been a hit since its debut last fall, offering customers amazing sound, an intelligent assistant, and smart home control all for just $99. We are focusing our efforts on HomePod mini. We are discontinuing the original HomePod, it will continue to be available while supplies last through the Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple will provide HomePod customers with software updates and service and support through AppleCare."[33]In July 2024, Apple classified the HomePod as "vintage," affecting its repair eligibility at Apple Stores and authorized service providers. Apple was criticized for violating its own policies for classifying products as vintage, which its website states were discontinued "more than 5 and less than 7 years ago"; at the time, the HomePod had been discontinued for three years and four months.[34]

Second generation

[edit]

On January 18, 2023, Apple announced the second-generation HomePod in a video announcement. It runs on anApple S7system-in-package, first used in theApple WatchSeries 7, and includes anApple U1chip forultra-widebandsupport,[35]which is used for haptic and visual feedback when handing off music from an iPhone to a HomePod.[36]Compared to the first-generation model, it has two fewer tweeters and microphones, and only supportsWi-Fi 4 (802.11n)while the original supportedWi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).[37][38]It also supports theThreadnetwork protocol.[35]An April 2023 software update added sound detection for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.[39]Externally, the second-generation model is similar to the first but slightly shorter at 6.6 inches (168 mm), and lighter at 5.16 lb (2.3 kg), and has a larger recessed touch screen panel at the top of the unit with the volume adjustment buttons permanently etched in.[40]It can only create a stereo pair with another second-generation model.[41]

According to YouTuberMarques Brownlee's testing, the second-generation HomePod can still leave white rings on wooden surfaces, though the issue is less pronounced than with the first-generation model.[42]

Operating system

[edit]

The HomePod runs HomePod Software, internally known as audioOS, aforked versionoftvOS.[43]It was launched alongside the release of the original HomePod, released on February 9, 2018. Though it was initially a fork ofiOS,[44]since version 13.4 in 2020, it has been a fork oftvOS.[45]Software updates are installed automaticallyover-the-air,but can also be installed manually through theHomeapp.[46]audioOS's main user-facing features areAirPlay 2andSiri.

In 2021, an Apple job listing referenced a non-existent "homeOS" operating system, echoing previousBloombergleaks about possible future Apple products for the living room that would merge the Apple TV and HomePod.[47][48][49]

Technical specifications

[edit]
Discontinued Current
Models HomePod
(1st gen)[50] 		HomePod
(2nd gen) 		HomePod Mini[51][52]
Release date(s) February 9, 2018 February 3, 2023 November 16, 2020
Discontinued March 12, 2021 - July 15, 2024 (space gray)
Latest audioOS supported audioOS 18
Model number AudioAccessory1,1 (A1639) AudioAccessory6,1 (A2825) AudioAccessory5,1 (A2374)
System on a chip/package Apple A8 Apple S7 Apple S5
Speakers 7 tweeters 5 tweeters 1 full-range driver, 2 passive radiators
4-inch (10 cm) woofer -
Microphones 6 microphones 4 microphones
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11acwithMIMO Wi-Fi 802.11nwith MIMO
Bluetooth 5
- Thread
- Ultra-wideband(Apple U1)
Sensors Accelerometer
- Humidity and temperature
Sound recognition
Dimensions 6.8 in × 5.6 in
(170 mm × 140 mm) 		6.6 in × 5.6 in
(168 mm × 140 mm) 		3.3 in × 3.9 in
(84 mm × 99 mm)
Weight 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) 5.16 lb (2.3 kg) 0.76 lb (0.34 kg)
Colors Space Gray,
White 		Midnight,
White 		Space Gray(discontinued),Blue,
White,Yellow,
Orange,Midnight
Power Built-in power supply, power cable not officially user-detachable[53] Built-in power supply, detachable power cable withIEC 60320C7/C8 connector External 20 W power adapter (compatible with 18 W power adapters since software 14.3),[54]non-detachable power cable from device withUSB-Cend
$USlist priceon launch $349 $299 $99


See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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