HomePod 2

Reborn speaker amping up smart home technology

It's not often Apple brings back a product line from the dead, but when it does, it has good reason. The second-generation HomePod is Apple's attempt to reinvigorate its smart home range and offer consumers more choices in an ever-competitive smart home hub landscape.

INTRODUCING HOMEPOD 2

After using press releases to announce new Mac minis and M2-powered MacBooks, Apple took the same approach in January to announce the second-generation HomePod. Rather than its usual lavish in-person or remote events, Apple appears to be taking a new approach to product announcements in 2023: get quality products out there as quickly as possible for consumers to enjoy, even if we don't have time to shout about them at Apple Campus. Apple has described the new device as a "powerful smart speaker that delivers next-level acoustics in a gorgeous, iconic design," offering "Apple innovations and Siri intelligence" to deliver users a "groundbreaking listening experience." While the device might look the same as its discontinued predecessor on the face of things, Apple has added new ways to manage everyday tasks and control the smart home. From creating home automation using Siri, getting notified when a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is detected, and checking the temperature and humidity in a room, it's all possible with the brand new HomePod.

Speaking of the new product, Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said: "Leveraging our audio expertise and innovations, the new HomePod delivers rich, deep bass, natural mid-range, and clear, detailed highs. With the popularity of the 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 to customers worldwide."