The new Apple HomePod 2, which replaces the original HomePod that was released in 2018, has been presented by Apple. In most respects, the new wireless speaker is fairly similar to the original HomePod, but it seems to have been tailored even more for Dolby Atmos movies and Spatial Audio for Apple Music.
Before it was abruptly discontinued in March 2021 in favor of the smaller and less expensive Apple HomePod mini, the original Apple HomePod was one of the best wireless speakers available.
However, a new HomePod with support for spatial audio looked imminent with Apple’s spatial audio-enhanced music now firmly integrated into its offering and the recent launch of Apple Music Sessions, available in Spatial Audio.
New Apple HomePod 2 specs
The new HomePod’s features are quite identical to those of the original, despite the numerous rumors that circulated about what will be included in it.
That indicates that it is mostly focused on music within the Apple environment. Although Siri now functions with certain other music services as well, you may use it to request tracks from Apple Music. There is no Bluetooth or other way to transfer audio to the HomePod, so Android devices are left out in the cold. However, you can send music (or other audio) to it using AirPlay 2 from Apple devices.
You may use one HomePod on its alone or two in a pair, and it functions as part of AirPlay multi-room setups. The new HomePod is prepared for Apple Music’s Dolby Atmos music support, including Spatial Audio, which will reflect sounds off your walls in an effort to give you the impression that the music is all around you. And if you have an Apple TV, you can utilize two new HomePods instead of one of the best soundbars thanks to the Apple TV’s ability to broadcast all of its sound, including Dolby Atmos 3D audio, to the HomePod.
For overall higher-quality audio, the new Apple HomePod 2 also supports lossless audio from Apple Music. It has an ultra-wideband chip built into it, making it able to identify when an iPhone 11 or later is nearby. As a result, you can easily beam music from your phone to the HomePod (or vice versa) by simply bringing it close.
The new Apple HomePod 2 is now even better for those who enjoy smart homes. It supports Apple HomeKit as well as the cutting-edge protocols Thread and Matter, which are compatible with more accessories than ever before. It can also start automation in your smart home even while you’re not home. Additionally, it contains built-in temperature and humidity sensors, which are helpful for smart home equipment for climate management.
Almost identical to the first HomePod in appearance, the new Apple HomePod 2 has a circular shape and a fabric-covered shell. We really like this design since it has a simple black or white finish and looks lovely when you pay attention to it, but it also does a wonderful job of fading into the background when you’re not.
A whirling, multicolored “screen” that serves only to indicate whether Siri or music is playing is located on top. This was only a little dot in the center of the original HomePod, but it has since expanded to cover the entire top, just like the HomePod mini.
The new model is virtually the same height as the original, measuring 6.6 inches (168mm) as opposed to 6.8 inches (173mm), and has the same diameter of 5.6 inches (142mm) as the original.
Despite the fact that many of the concepts are the same, the inside is different. A large four-inch high-excursion woofer, for instance, is still there at the top to handle the mid-range and bass. Being “high-excursion” means that the driver moves a lot forward and backward, which allows it to move more air and create a louder, deeper sound.
Additionally, the HomePod still has a ring of higher-frequency tweeters beneath the woofer, but there are only five of them instead of the original HomePod’s seven, and they are now positioned at the bottom of the speaker and angled upward. When used with Dolby Atmos audio, this probably aids in enhancing height and spatial audio effects.
To summarize the new Apple HomePod 2 features:
- Music transfer with AirPlay 2
- Dolby Atmos support
- Apple TV compatibly
- Built-in ultra-wideband chip
- Built-in temperature and humidity sensors
- Overhauled design
New Apple HomePod 2 price is competetive
It costs $299, £299, or $479, which is essentially what the price of the old model was when it was discontinued. It costs the same in the US and somewhat more in the UK, although considering current currency exchange rates, this is not surprising. It costs $AU10 more in Australia. At the same time as the launch of the new Apple HomePod 2, 2nd generation HomePod minis were also made available for $99.
The cost is excessive when compared to the majority of the top smart speakers; even the most costly Alexa speaker, the Amazon Echo Studio, costs less than half as much. The Sonos One is also a lot less expensive.
New Apple HomePod 2 release date
The new Apple HomePod 2 will be released on Friday, February 3, 2022, however, orders can be placed starting on Wednesday, January 18, 2022, using the link here, through Apple’s online retailers. After Apple launched the new MacBook and Mac mini, we were not surprised that the HomePod 2 was also available to users.
