Apple's HomePod brings the bass, Siri voice control
[MUSIC]
Hey, Siri, stop.
[BLANK_AUDIO]
Hey, Siri, close the shades.
[BLANK_AUDIO]
Got it.
[MUSIC]
The HomePod is Apple's long awaited
Answer to Amazon's Echo, Google's Home Max, and the Sonos One.
But the tech giant wants its $349 Siri powered wireless speaker to be much more than a voice enabled smart home assistant.
In every marketing campaign Apple makes it clear that home pod is a speaker first.
And everything else is secondary.
It's true that the home pod delivers impressive audios slightly better than the home max.
Still it isn't perfect.
Apple claims home pod is an omni directional speaker, but it has definite sweet spots where the music sounds better, particularly when it's in the middle of a room.
My iPhone occasionally answered questions I asked Homepod when using Hey Siri as a wake phrase.
You're pretty much tied to Apple Music for audio.
But if you want to use services like Spotify, you'll have to send them to Homepod from your phone.
On the speaker's display, you'll find volume up and down buttons when audio Was playing.
Press and hold the center to bring up Siri without having to say, hey, Siri.
A variety of taps let you play, pause and skip music straight from HomePod.
Everything else is done either with voice commands or through Apple's home app on iOS.
HomePod's set up process takes a minute tops and you new speaker immediately shows up in the Home Apps list.
List of home kit devices.
In addition to playing music and podcasts, the home pod can tell you the news and answer general questions about the weather.
It can also control your home kit devices just like your iPhone.
And thanks to advanced machine learning, Siri is more conversational than ever.
Hey Siri, who is Bob Dylan?
Bob Dylan is an American singer songwriter, author and painter who has been-
Hey, Siri, how old is he?
Bob Dylan is 76.
HomePod is a smart device with solid sound quality that will likely improve over time.
Although pricey, I can confidently recommend it to Apple customers who are sold on a HomeKit smart home.
But audiophiles simply looking for a great speaker system can find better sound quality for roughly the same price.
And if you're already heavily invested in an Alexa or Google assistant smart home, you won't find much value here.
[BLANK_AUDIO]
Up Next
iPhone 15 Lineup: Specs Explained
Up Next
iPhone 15 Lineup: Specs Explained
Apple Watch Series 9 Gets New S9 Chip
Apple Watch Series 9 Gets New S9 Chip
We Tried iOS 17 for Ourselves and We're Impressed So Far
We Tried iOS 17 for Ourselves and We're Impressed So Far
Apple's WWDC 2023: What We Expect
Apple's WWDC 2023: What We Expect
Apple HomePod 2 Gives Great Sound, but Is It Too Expensive?
Apple HomePod 2 Gives Great Sound, but Is It Too Expensive?
We Tested the Batteries on the New iPhone 14 Models
We Tested the Batteries on the New iPhone 14 Models
Apple Watch SE Review: This Watch Has Almost Everything I Want
Apple Watch SE Review: This Watch Has Almost Everything I Want
iPhone 14 Review: A Decent Upgrade for Most
iPhone 14 Review: A Decent Upgrade for Most
Apple Unveils iPhone 14 and Bigger iPhone 14 Plus
Apple Unveils iPhone 14 and Bigger iPhone 14 Plus
Apple Reveals New Apple Watch SE for $249
Apple Reveals New Apple Watch SE for $249
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
New Xbox Leaked
New Xbox Leaked
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Latest How To All how to videos
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro