The 2nd-generation HomePod is a full-size smart speaker system and digital assistant developed by Apple Inc. It operates through Siri and can stream audio from Apple Music or AirPlay from other Apple devices. It was announced on January 18, 2023 for release on the following February 3rd.[1]
Background[]
The 2nd-generation HomePod is the full-sized successor to the 1st-generation model, which was discontinued on March 13, 2021, leaving the smaller HomePod mini as the only available model at the time.[2]
Updated features[]
The newer 2nd-generation model is slightly shorter, wider, and lighter, but otherwise closely resembles the original. The darker available color was changed from Space Gray to Midnight. The number of tweeters was reduced from 7 to 5, but otherwise functions as before. The newer HomePod is controlled by an Apple S7 chip, instead of the Apple A8 used in the original.[2]
Technical specifications[]
- Dimensions: 6.6 × 5.6 inches (168 × 142 mm)
- Weight: 5.16 pounds (2.3 kg)
- Color: Midnight, white
- 4-inch high-excursion woofer
- Array of five horn-loaded tweeters, each with its own neodymium magnet
- Internal low-frequency calibration microphone for automatic bass correction
- Advanced computational audio with system sensing for real-time tuning
- Room sensing
- Temperature and humidity sensors
- Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos for music and video (with supported software and content)
- Four-microphone array for far-field Siri
- Direct and ambient audio beamforming
- Multiroom audio with AirPlay (with compatible speaks and software)
- Stereo pair capable (with matching HomePod model)
- Ultra wideband chip for determining proximity of supported devices[3]
Reception[]
Preliminary reviews praised the sound quality of the new HomePods, noting that Apple frequently provided a live recording of "Hotel California" by the Eagles as a demonstration track.[4]
Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ Apple introduces the new HomePod with breakthrough sound and intelligence, Apple Inc. 2023-01-18.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 New HomePod vs 2018 HomePod - compared by Wesley Hilliard, AppleInsider. 2023-01-18.
- ↑ HomePod (2nd generation) - Technical Specifications, Apple Inc. Accessed 2023-01-18.
- ↑ Early previewers praise new HomePod's 'just wow' audio by William Gallagher, AppleInsider. 2023-01-20.
External links[]
- HomePod (2nd generation) at Apple
- HomePod: Second generation at Wikipedia
