At WWDC 2017, Apple introduces Siri-powered smart speaker. This is Apple’s answer to Amazon Echo and Google Home.
The HomePod speaker offers similar functions. It can play music, check the news, control connected devices.It is a pill-shaped circular speaker and weighs 2.5 Kg. It has 6.8-inch height and 5.6-inch width. It is powered by A8 chip.
Apple confirmed that all instructions to the speaker are recognized locally on the device and these instructions are encrypted. If you put two HomePod in the same room, they will automatically detect and balance each other. If you have multiple speakers in multiple rooms, the speakers communicate with each other through AirPlay 2.
Siri has all kinds of answers. So, you can ask different things. You can read news headlines, play music, change music and perform a voice search. You can also use it to control home connected equipment. Just say “Hey Siri, turn on the lights” or “cool the room”.
Apple claims a lot about audio technology. It has High-excursion woofer with custom amplifier, Six-microphone array for far-field Siri and room sensing, Internal low-frequency calibration microphone for automatic bass correction, Transparent studio-level dynamic processing and more.
As of now, it only supports English.
HomePod will be available for $349 starting December. It comes in White and Gray colors.
