Apple HomePod 2: what we want to see

Date:
Mon, 13 Sep 2021 10:40:42 +0000

Description:
The so-called Apple HomePod 2 could be on the horizon.

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The original Apple HomePod was among the best wireless speakers on the
market, before it was unceremoniously discontinued in March 2021 and the company elected to focus on the smaller and cheaper Apple HomePod mini .

While the Apple HomePod mini is a fantastic speaker in its own right, its small stature and low price makes us doubt that Apple wouldnt release a follow-up to its original flagship smart speaker , in a bid to compete with more powerful models like the Amazon Echo Studio and the Sonos One .

Since Apple discontinued the HomePod, weve seen a number of patents that
could suggest that the company is looking to create a new HomePod model the so-called Apple HomePod 2 and it may even come with a display, if rumors are to be believed.

So far, Apple hasnt confirmed whether the HomePod 2 really exists, which
means that we cant say for sure whether it will materialize any time soon
but that hasnt stopped us from dreaming about all the features wed like to
see from the tech giants next smart speaker.

[Update: We're not expecting to see the HomePod 2 at Apple's next event on September 14 (that's tomorrow), but we are expecting to see the iPhone 13 , and maybe even the AirPods 3 . The 2021 eventstarts at 10am PDT / 1pm EDT / 6pm BST (that's 1am ACT September 15 in Australia). Apple has made this a virtual event, so you'll be able to watch along while all the new gadgets are being revealed - check out our article on how to watch the iPhone 13 launch for everything you need to know.] Cut to the chase What is it? The next Apple HomePod smart speaker. When will it be released? Thats still TBC. How much will it cost? Likely similar to the original HomePod ($349 / 319 / AU$499). Apple HomePod 2 release date

Theres no word yet on when the Apple HomePod 2 will be released or indeed if it really exists and there was no mention of the smart speaker at Apple's first event of 2021 .

Indeed, we could be waiting a while to see the HomePod 2. In a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman on the recently discovered temperature sensors inside the Apple HomePod mini, Gurman says that, "before the discontinuation of the larger HomePod, the company had been working on an updated version for
release in 2022. It has also been developing new speakers with screens and cameras, but such a launch isnt imminent". Apple HomePod 2 price

Again, theres no word on a potential price for the Apple HomePod 2, but if
its another full-sized HomePod as opposed to the HomePod mini, wed expect it to cost about the same as the original smart speaker.

When it launched in 2018, the Apple HomePod cost $349 / 319 / AU$499, making it one of the most expensive smart speakers on the market and certainly the most expensive mainstream option.

Thats why we were surprised when the Apple HomePod mini was released in 2020 for just $99 / 99 / AU$149. Were hoping that, even if the next HomePod is full-size, Apple will find a happy medium between the two price points. The Apple HomePod mini (pictured) is smaller and cheaper than the original smart speaker. (Image credit: Apple) Apple HomePod 2 rumors

So far weve heard a few Apple HomePod 2 rumors that might tell us what the next smart speaker will be like.

HomePod with a screen?

One of the most interesting rumors is that the HomePod 2 could come with a screen, like the Amazon Echo Show 10 and the Google Nest Hub 2 .



The news that Apple is potentially working on a HomePod smart display, could be a good indication that the company is renewing its focus on smart home compatibility.

Plus, as MacRumors' Steve Moser discovered in the tvOS 14.5 beta code, Apple has added FaceTime and iMessage frameworks, as well as a new AVFCapture framework related to capturing images.

Apple uses tvOS as the basis for the software that runs on the HomePod,
rather than iOS and that means messaging and video calls could come to a future HomePod smart display, too.

Smarter than your average smart speaker

Whether the next HomePod is a smart display or a regular smart speaker, it
has the potential to be very clever. A newly-uncovered patent shows that
Apple has ambitions for its smart speakers to work alongside its rumored
Apple VR headsets.

The patent describes an audio speaker system that is equipped with additional microphones and depth-sensing cameras. In tandem, theyd be able to pinpoint a users position in a room, and tailor a 3D audio experience to suit whats
being seen in a virtual reality environment. The HomePod 2 might have a display like the Amazon Echo Show 10 (pictured). (Image credit: TechRadar)

From what we can gather from the patent, a user with one or more HomePods set up could enjoy adaptive and surrounding audio without the need for headphones or on-device speakers like what you see with the Oculus Quest headsets. Say theres a virtual cat in your VR experience walking towards it could increase the volume of its meow from a HomePod Mini, for instance.

This would also work in two way communication applications a user with a similar set up elsewhere could transmit their spatial audio information to another user in VR with the same set up, and both would be able to identify sound coming from the other in 3D space.

The patent also goes to describe how this could be used for commercial purposes, and lays out how a recording and transmission system could be set
up at a live music event, and beamed to a VR headset with the resulting spatial audio information.

As with any patented technology, theres no guarantee that these features will actually materialize but they do give us an interesting insight into the future of Apple speakers.

The Apple HomePod mini may offer a few clues as to the features well see from the next HomePod, too. (Image credit: Future)

A built-in temperature sensor?

The HomePod mini contains a hidden sensor that can measure temperature and humidity potentially unlocking new and exciting features for the device in the future.

A recent report from Bloomberg highlighted the previously undiscovered feature, describing a sensor which could allow internet-connected thermostats [to] adjust different parts of a home based on current conditions.

The hardware could also let the HomePod mini automatically engage other actions depending on temperature such as activating a fan which suggests
the device might see a host of functionality upgrades in future software updates.

Its possible that these functionality upgrades could come to the HomePod 2 as well, if Apple decides to include these sensors in a future model. Apple HomePod 2: what we want to see

While information on the Apple HomePod 2 is still thin on the ground, there are a few things wed like to see from the rumored smart speaker.

Bluetooth connectivity

Sure, smart speakers are all about voice controls, and the fact that theyre standalone devices that dont need to be hooked up to another audio source in order to play back tunes and podcasts. But, sometimes, a few added options
are just convenient especially if youre trying to play back a track that,
for whatever reason, cant be found on the smart speakers streaming service of choice.

It may not be cutting edge in the smart speaker world, but theres still the odd occasion when a Bluetooth speaker would be useful, and its a feature that was introduced with the HomePod mini.

If the HomePod 2 is similarly tied to Apple Music, thatd be particularly useful for anyone looking to access, say, Spotify streaming. Which brings us onto our next point

Open access to other music services

If you buy one of the current Apple HomePod speakers, youre essentially locking yourself into Apples audio ecosystem. So, iTunes purchases aside, thats $9.99 / 9.99 / AU$11.99 a month for a single Apple Music streaming account, or $14.99 / 14.99 / AU$17.99 for a family account.

Thats fine if youre an iPhone-owning Cupertino disciple, and Apple Music is a fine service definitely worth investing in. But, if youve already committed
to Spotify or Google Play Music or any of the other myriad smaller streaming options, that could be a frustrating restriction.

By knocking a few bricks out of its walled garden and letting other services have a look in could give a new Apple HomePod a user base boost and it could be paired with incentives to jump to Apple Music, if Apple played a savvy long-game.

Better Siri performance

Apples HomePod does well on sound but when it comes to smarts its somewhat lacking. Compared to Google Assistant and Amazons Alexa, Siri is rather limited in what it can do for you as a smart home hub. This isnt great considering its one of the most expensive smart speakers on the market, and Siri is your main means of controlling it.

With that in mind, wed love to see better Siri performance in a new HomePod iteration when it comes to performing commands quickly and accurately. Apple AirPods 3 price, release date, and rumors



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/apple-homepod-2-what-we-want-to-see/


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