HomePod: Everything you need to know about Apple's smart speaker

Apple's HomePod is finally available to preorder this Friday, January 26th, and arriving in stores starting Friday, February 9th. AppleInsider delves into the device pre-release, and tells you everything you need to know before you drop $349 on it.

AppleInsider Staff 8 years ago 52

Apple's latest iTunes release includes HomePod support

Following the release of macOS 10.13.3 and new versions of iOS, watchOS and tvOS, Apple on Tuesday issued the latest version of iTunes for Mac, with the updated media software boasting support for the upcoming HomePod.

AppleInsider Staff 8 years ago 3

HomePod at launch lacks stereo linking and multiple-room support, features coming 'later this year'

Apple's HomePod may be shipping in the beginning of February, but multiple-room audio support and stereo sound between two HomePods will be absent at launch.

Mike Wuerthele 8 years ago 101

Asset icons pulled from iOS beta show muted HomePod microphone, environmental alerts

Delves through iOS beta firmware released on Friday has revealed some HomePod iconography, showing an Apple TV, assorted environmental icons probably for HomeKit, a muted microphone icon associated with the HomePod, and other graphics associated with use and setup of Apple's Siri speaker.

Mike Wuerthele 8 years ago 5

Apple's HomePod gets FCC approval, hinting at upcoming launch

Adding to evidence that the HomePod is nearing an official release, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has given its stamp of approval for the device.

Roger Fingas 8 years ago 39

Video: Apple gets ready to ship HomePod after month-long delay

The HomePod was previously scheduled to hit the market before the end of last year, but Apple issued a statement in November saying it needed more time before the product is ready for customers, giving it an "early 2018" release date.

Vadim Yuryev 8 years ago 54

Apple's first million HomePods now shipping from Inventec - report

Having missed an original December launch date, the HomePod is finally rolling off the production lines of one of two assembly partners, Inventec, a report said this week.

Roger Fingas 8 years ago 64

Apple 2017 year in review: All of the products Apple announced that won't ship until 2018

This year was somewhat uncharacteristic for Apple in terms of product announcements, as the company unveiled or preannounced a number of new devices that didn't actually ship in 2017. Rather than needing to rely on rumors or guesswork, we can tell you with a greater degree of certainty that these products are officially on the horizon from Apple.

Neil Hughes 8 years ago 38

As Apple's HomePod misses Christmas, Amazon Alexa tops App Store charts for first time

In a first for the app, Amazon Alexa has topped Apple's U.S. App Store charts, backing claims that the Echo Dot speaker was the top-selling item on Amazon.com during the holidays.

Roger Fingas 8 years ago 83

Why Apple's Siri needs to become an 'ambient' ecosystem to compete against Amazon & Google

The HomePod — now due in 2018 — will mark Apple's first real attempt at making Siri an "ambient" voice assistant. Arguably, though, the company needs to push a lot harder if it wants people to choose Siri over alternatives from Amazon and Google.

Roger Fingas 8 years ago 59

Samsung's Bixby-powered HomePod competitor to debut in first half of 2018, report says

According to a report on Thursday, Samsung's smart home speaker is expected to debut in the first half of 2018 with support for the firm's Bixby virtual assistant, setting the device up for direct competition with Apple's delayed HomePod.

AppleInsider Staff 8 years ago 24

New HomePod beta firmware released, unlikely to divulge much about future products

Apple employees with a HomePod have a new firmware version available for testing — with older versions of the device's code having revealed much about the then forthcoming iPhone X.

Mike Wuerthele 8 years ago 8

Apple's Phil Schiller talks HomePod delay, AirPods engineering, Face ID in iPhone X, iMac Pro

Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller continues his media rounds talking about all things Apple, with the latest interview delving into the internal thought process when the company decided to move away from Touch ID in the iPhone X, thoughts on Apple's collaborative environment, and the iMac Pro's imminent release.

Mike Wuerthele 8 years ago 69

After Apple's HomePod delay, Google's $399 Home Max speaker goes on sale

While Apple's HomePod couldn't reach store shelves before the end of 2017, Google's competing Home Max speaker has arrived right on time, with orders now being accepted at Best Buy and shipping in time for Christmas.

Neil Hughes 8 years ago 28

Apple's HomePod isn't about Siri, but rather the future of home audio

Introduced this summer at WWDC17, Apple's HomePod was immediately positioned next to Amazon Echo and Google Home by bloggers as a "smart speaker" serving primarily as a way to chat with a voice assistant. But that's not how Apple introduced it.

Daniel Eran Dilger 8 years ago 139

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