Despite the delayed launching of the Apple HomePod 2018, the speaker is now available for preorder. Many are anticipating to get their own unit due to its impressive features and specs.
The smart speaker is powered by Apple's A8 chip which was first used in the iPhone 6. It comes with a built-in Siri and six microphones. It also has a HomeKit support which enables the user to control their compatible smart home devices and to automatically optimize sound in a certain room.
The HomePod can be pre-ordered through the Apple Store app. Shipping of the device will start on Feb. 9. However, it will not ship with AirPlay 2 which will allow pairing and multi-room audio. The Verge reports that these features will be coming this year through a free software update.
One needs an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch in order to set up the speaker. It can also work with Apple TV but the set-top box will not be used. The speaker can give users an extremely streamlined setup experience. One can even use Siri to enable personal requests.
TechCrunch notes that the speaker has a really good sound with broader functionality and unified experience. It can also provide music 360 degrees in the room which means that one can hear music wherever they are in the room. According to Apple, the device can automatically analyze the acoustics, adjust the sound based on the speaker's location and even separate the music into direct and ambient sound.
This new Apple product comes with a hefty price tag at $349. It is more expensive than its rivals especially that it is only about 6.8 inches high and 5.6 inches wide in size. Google Home Max is larger and is more powerful tagged at $399 while the Google Home costs $129. The Amazon Echo is priced $99.99 while the Sonos One, which comes with two speakers, cost $349.
The Apple HomePod 2018 is currently available for preorder in the US, UK, and Australia. Users can choose between a black or white device. Meanwhile, it will be available in France and Germany this spring.
