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    Home » Apple HomePod (2nd gen) review: Smart Sound Speaker
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    Apple HomePod (2nd gen) review: Smart Sound Speaker

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    Brill AyoBy Brill AyoJanuary 14, 2021Updated:February 8, 2023No Comments5 Mins Read
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    Apple
    Photo Credit: Apple
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    The Review

    79% Average

    It has been many years since Apple discontinued its original HomePod smart speaker. Now, we have got a effect. The company has revivified the bigger unit with upgraded audio, a more important chip, further smart home capacities, and, importantly, a lower price.

    Still, the overall design remains largely unchanged. At $299, some may feel it's still a bit pricey.

    • Performance 85 %
    • Smartness 90 %
    • Features 75 %
    • Usability 81 %
    • Battery Life 64 %
    • User Ratings (1 Votes) 97 %

    The Apple HomePod (2nd generation) is a smart speaker designed for those who want high-quality sound and the ability to control their smart home devices using voice commands. With improved sound quality and a more compact design, the HomePod (2nd gen) is a worthy update to its predecessor.

    One of the key highlights of the HomePod (2nd gen) is its audio quality. The speaker features a high-excursion woofer for deep bass and seven beamforming tweeters for crystal-clear vocals. The result is an immersive sound experience that can fill even large rooms.

    Another feature that sets the HomePod (2nd gen) apart from other smart speakers is its ability to control other smart home devices. With support for Apple’s HomeKit platform, you can use Siri to control lights, locks, and other devices, making it a convenient hub for your smart home.

    The compact design of the HomePod (2nd gen) is another plus, as it is smaller than the original HomePod and can fit into tighter spaces. Additionally, the speaker is now available in two colors – white and space gray – to better match your home’s decor.

    However, there are some limitations to the HomePod (2nd gen) that are worth noting. Firstly, the speaker is only compatible with Apple’s ecosystem, so those who use Android devices or services like Spotify may not get the full experience. Secondly, Siri still lags behind other virtual assistants in terms of capabilities and accuracy.

     smart home with Siri

    Apple HomePod (2nd gen) review
    Billy Steele/Engadget

    When we reviewed the original HomePod in 2018, one of our biggest gripes was with Siri’s limited abilities. Sure the speaker sounded good, but the lack of polish with the voice assistant made it seem like a work in progress. Apple has done a lot to improve Siri over the last five years, so a lot of those issues with the original have been fixed.

    First, the HomePod, like Siri on Apple TV, is capable of recognizing multiple users. Personal Requests can allow it to peek at your Calendar, Notes, Reminders, Messages, Find My and more when you ask. Plus, HomePod can give each member of your family (up to six people) their unique responses from certain iPhone apps. What’s more, Siri can create recurring home automations without you having to pick up your phone and swipe over to the appropriate app.

    Even with fewer microphones to pick up your voice, the new HomePod doesn’t suffer any performance setbacks. It’s just as capable as ever at picking out your voice even in a noisy room. And, while playing music with voice commands used to be limited to Apple Music, services like Pandora, Deezer and several others can now be controlled via Siri.

    Gallery: Apple HomePod (2nd gen) review | 4Photos

    • Apple HomePod (2nd gen) review
      Billy Steele/Engadget
    • Apple HomePod (2nd gen) review
      Billy Steele/Engadget
    • Apple HomePod (2nd gen) review
    • Apple HomePod (2nd gen) review


      HomePod is also a smart home hub, easily pairing with HomeKit and Matter accessories. The new model is equipped with temperature and humidity sensing, and that info is displayed prominently in the Home app. Of course, you can use that data to create automations with other smart home devices. I don’t have a compatible smart thermostat, but I was able to successfully trigger a smart plug once the HomePod detected a certain temperature in my living room.
       

    Sound Recognition is arguably the most notable new feature that Apple is debuting with the new HomePod, but it’s not ready yet. It can listen for smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and send a notification to an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. What’s more, you’ll be able to “check in” on what’s happening via an audio feed or camera. Sound Recognition won’t arrive until later this spring, so we’ll have to wait to test it.

    Sound quality

    The sound quality of the Apple HomePod is highly regarded by many users and reviewers. The speaker features a high-excursion woofer for deep bass and seven beamforming tweeters for clear vocals, resulting in a rich, immersive sound experience. The sound is well balanced and can fill even large rooms. The speaker also has advanced audio processing technology that automatically adjusts the sound based on the room’s acoustics, ensuring optimal sound performance.

    Thanks to the work Apple has put in over the last five years, the second-gen HomePod is a much better smart speaker than its predecessor. The company has once again delivered stellar sound quality, though it can over emphasize vocals and dialog at times. However, expanded smart home tools and more room to grow shows Apple has learned from its stumbling first attempt.
    Billy Steele/Engadget
     

    When you select a HomePod for use with the Apple TV you still need to deselect your TV speakers. Those aren’t disabled just because you’ve asked the streaming box to also send audio to a HomePod or two. TV audio with stereo pair is fine, but I can’t see using a single unit for the same purpose. In a multi-room setup you might want to send the sound from a live event like the Super Bowl to a solo speaker, but having just one as your lone living room audio from a TV isn’t a great experience. While the HomePod beams sound in all directions, with a single speaker it’s clear the sound is coming from a fixed location – something that’s a lot less noticeable with a pair or with a soundbar.

    The competition

    Thanks to the work Apple has put in over the last five years, the second-gen HomePod is a much better smart speaker than its predecessor. The company has once again delivered stellar sound quality, though it can over emphasize vocals and dialog at times. However, expanded smart home tools and more room to grow shows Apple has learned from its stumbling first attempt.
    Billy Steele/Engadget
     

    In addition to its audio quality, the HomePod also has a number of advanced features such as multi-room audio support and the ability to control other smart home devices using Siri voice commands. These features, combined with its premium sound quality, make the HomePod an attractive option for those who value high-quality audio and smart home functionality.

    Apple HomePod
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    Brill Ayo
    • Website

    Bill Ayo is a technical writer with quite a distinct understanding of the tech realm. He is a tech enthusiast who strives to simplify sketchy knowledge for people to understand the tech world better and believes that tech knowledge should be accessible to all. He enjoys exploring new places and playing with words when not at work. He is also a connoisseur of coffee and cricket.

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