HomePod (1st generation)

The HomePod is a system and digital assistant (like Google Home, Amazon Echo) developed by Apple Inc. It operates through Siri and can stream audio from Apple Music or AirPlay from other Apple devices. Though announced on June 5 at the 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference, it did not begin shipping until February 9, 2018. It was superseded by the smaller HomePod mini in October 2020.

Features
The HomePod needs to be connected to a power outlet and connected to a device for it to work, and functions much like Google's Home line of smart home devices. HomePod uses Siri, a voice assistant found in most Apple products. The outer casing is lines with mesh felt designed to for aesthetics and acoustic performance. This comes in space grey and white.

The device has 7 built-in speakers, and one subwoofer with a custom amplifier. It also has 6 microphones to detect far-away voices. The device also comes with 16GB of storage and a equal amount of RAM. It is powered by the Apple A8 processor. On the top is a touchscreen interface with a halo-like Siri glow.

Competitors
The HomePod had 2 major competitors; the Echo lineup of Amazon and the Home lineup from Google. Samsung has also made the Galaxy Home, but it didn't get a lot of sales. So far, the Echo lineup has the most sales.

Technical Specs

 * Dimensions: 6.8 inches high (172 mm), 5.6 inches wide (142 mm)
 * Weight: 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg)
 * Color: Space gray, white
 * High-excursion woofer with custom amplifier
 * Array of seven horn-loaded tweeters, each with its own custom amplifier
 * Six-microphone array for far-field Siri
 * Internal low-frequency calibration microphone for automatic bass correction
 * Direct and ambient audio beamforming
 * Transparent studio-level dynamic processing