• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

AppleToolBox

Tools and Fixes for Mac, iPad, iPhone & iWatch

Search posts

  • About
  • Contact

CONNECT WITH US

CATEGORIES

  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • iPod
  • Apple Watch
  • Mac/MacBook
  • AirPods
  • Apple TV
  • News
  • Apple Services
  • HomePod
  • Reviews

SITE

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise

Search posts

You are here: Home / HomePod / Apple Brings Back the HomePod with Updated Internals For $299

Apple Brings Back the HomePod with Updated Internals For $299

By Andrew Myrick 0 comments Last updated January 18, 2023

It’s been almost six years since the Apple HomePod made waves in the smart speaker space, and almost two years since the original HomePod was discontinued. Since then, Apple pivoted to its primary smart speaker efforts on the HomePod Mini, which is much more affordable and is quite impressive for such a small speaker.

Related Reading

  • How To Create HomePod mini Stereo Pair
  • How to Use the HomePod Mini as a Bluetooth Speaker
  • HomePod Stereo Setup Not Working? Check These Tips Out
  • It’s time to say goodbye to the Apple HomePod
  • HomePod Having Trouble Connecting to the Internet? How To Fix

Fast forward to now, and Apple has officially announced and unveiled the HomePod (2nd Generation). At first glance, this looks exactly like the original HomePod, but it’s immediately evident that there’s a lot more going on under the hood with the new iteration.

Contents

  • Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) Finally Arrives
    • Apple HomePod (2nd Generation) Specs
  • Pricing and Availability

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) Finally Arrives

Ever since Apple discontinued the original HomePod, there have been rumblings about whether an updated version would be on the way. That’s not to say that the HomePod Mini isn’t a capable smart speaker, but it’s not exactly a direct replacement solution for those who want a full sound stage.

As noted in the press release, Apple recognized that there is still a demand for a larger HomePod, which sparked the development of a new model.

“Leveraging our audio expertise and innovations, the new HomePod delivers rich, deep bass, natural mid-range, and clear, detailed highs,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With the popularity of HomePod mini, we’ve seen growing interest in even more powerful acoustics achievable in a larger HomePod. We’re thrilled to bring the next generation of HomePod to customers around the world.”

The HomePod (2nd Generation) comes in two different colors, Midnight and White while sporting a total of five tweeters, a 4-inch woofer, and the same Apple U1 Ultra Wideband chip found in the HomePod Mini. By adding the U1 chip to the HomePod, this allows for you to use the integrated Hand Off functionality, starting a song on your iPhone and switching things over to your HomePod. Apple also implemented four microphones into the new HomePod, making it so that Siri can hear your requests from pretty much anywhere in your home.

In addition to the redesigned audio, Apple also managed to implement a few features that we weren’t expecting to see. For one, the new HomePod is powered by Apple’s S7 chip, an upgrade from the A8 found in the original HomePod and the S5 from the HomePod Mini.

Apple has also implemented its new “room sensing” technology, which allows the HomePod to recognize “sound reflections from nearby surfaces to determine if it is against a wall or freestanding, and then adapts sound in real-time. Precise directional control of its beamforming array of five tweeters separates and beams direct and ambient audio, immersing listeners in crystal-clear vocals and rich instrumentation.”

Going even further, the HomePod (2nd Generation) also features a temperature and humidity sensor, working in tandem with the Apple Home app and HomeKit. According to Apple, these sensors will allow you to “create automations that close the blinds or turn on the fan automatically when a certain temperature is reached in a room.” And now that the Matter smart home standard has been officially rolled out, it’s the perfect time for a new HomePod to be released, as this can act as your smart home hub if you don’t already have the new Apple TV 4K.

Apple HomePod (2nd Generation) Specs

  • Colors: Midnight / White
  • Processor: Apple S7
  • Dimensions and Weight: 5.6-inches x 6.6-inches / 5.16 pounds
  • Audio: 4-inch high-excursion woofer, five horn-loaded tweeters, low-frequency calibration microphone, room sensing, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
  • Microphones: Four-microphone design for far-field Siri
  • Sensors: Sound Recognition, Temperature and humidity, Accelerometer
  • Extras: Multiroom audio with AirPlay, Stereo Pair capable
  • Controls: Touch-sensitive
  • Connectivity: 802.11n Wi-Fi, Peer-to-peer discover, Thread, Bluetooth 5.0, Ultra Wideband chip for device proximity
  • Compatibility: iPhone SE (2nd Gen) or later, iPhone 8 or later, iPad Pro, iPad (5th Gen) or later, iPad Air (3rd Gen) or later, iPad Mini (5th Gen) or later

Pricing and Availability

With today’s announcement of the HomePod (2nd Generation), Apple confirmed that the pricing will fall in line with its predecessor. Regardless of which color option you go for, you can pre-order the all-new HomePod for $299, directly from Apple’s online storefront. The HomePod (2nd Generation) is set to be released beginning on Friday, February 3.

Andrew Myrick
Andrew Myrick

Andrew is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US.

He has written for a variety of sites over the years, including iMore, Android Central, Phandroid, and a few others. Now, he spends his days working for an HVAC company, while moonlighting as a freelance writer at night.

Related Posts:

  • iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them - Troubleshooting Guide
    iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them -…
  • Apple Pencil not working? Here’s our troubleshooting guide
    Apple Pencil not working? Here’s our troubleshooting guide
  • The Best Apps and Games Of 2022, According to Apple
    The Best Apps and Games Of 2022, According to Apple
  • The Best Apple Gifts For Tech Fans
    The Best Apple Gifts For Tech Fans
  • The Best Apple Gifts for The 2022 Holidays
    The Best Apple Gifts for The 2022 Holidays
  • iPhone Bluetooth Not Working After Upgrade - How-To Fix
    iPhone Bluetooth Not Working After Upgrade - How-To Fix
  • AirPods Pro---The Complete Guide
    AirPods Pro---The Complete Guide
  • Apple Watch Walkie-Talkie Not Working, How-To Fix
    Apple Watch Walkie-Talkie Not Working, How-To Fix
  • Six Bills For Big Tech That Could Change Apple Forever
    Six Bills For Big Tech That Could Change Apple Forever

Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • ‘Background Items Added’ Mac Notifications: How-To Fix
  • How to Fix AirPods Pro Battery Drain
  • M2 Mac Mini vs Mac Studio: The Results Might Just Surprise You
  • How To Find Apple Music Replay 2023
  • The Best ADHD Apps For iPhone
  • How to Manage Lock Screen Settings on Mac

Connect with us

Footer

ABOUT

  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

GUIDES

  • iOS 13 & iPadOS
  • Apple ID
  • iCloud
  • App Store
  • iTunes
  • FaceTime
  • iMessage
  • Siri
  • Books and iBooks
  • Game Center
  • AirPlay

CONNECT

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • FeedBurner
  • YouTube

© Copyright 2010-2023 Guiding Tech Media · All Rights Reserved

This site and its content are in no way affiliated or endorsed by Apple, Inc. · Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited