Jan 19, 2023 10:50:00

Apple's smart speaker 'HomePod' 2nd generation will be released on February 3, 2023 with new features

The second generation of HomePod, Apple's smart speaker, was announced on January 19, 2023. It looks almost the same as the first-generation model, which was discontinued in 2021, but the built-in chip has evolved to the S7 chip, newly equipped with temperature and humidity sensors, and supports the smart home standard '

Matter '. The second-generation HomePod will be released on February 3, 2023 (Friday), and the price is 44,800 yen including tax.

Apple Unveils New HomePod with Breakthrough Sound and Intelligence - Apple (CA)
https://www.apple.com/jp/newsroom/2023/01/apple-introduces-the-new-homepod-with-breakthrough-sound-and-intelligence/

Introducing the all-new HomePod | Apple-YouTube


At the time of writing, the only smart speaker equipped with Siri, Apple's voice assistant AI, was the HomePod mini released in 2020, and the first-generation HomePod released in 2018 will be discontinued in 2021. .

Apple discontinues production of Siri-equipped smart speaker 'HomePod' - GIGAZINE

The 2nd generation HomePod announced this time looks almost the same as the 1st generation, but the price is 44,800 yen including tax, which is higher than the 1st generation, which was 36,080 yen including tax. In addition to the same white as the first generation, the main body color is midnight, which is a new color.

The number of built-in

tweeters decreased from seven in the first generation to five in the second generation, and the number of built-in microphones decreased from seven to five. However, the 2nd generation HomePod is equipped with the S7 chip that is also installed in the Apple Watch Series 7, and it is said that the construction performance of the sound system has been improved.

Of course, the main feature of HomePod is that it can work with Apple products such as the iPhone. Simply bring your iPhone close to your HomePod to take over the songs, podcasts, and calls you're playing.

In addition, pairing with Apple TV 4K is also possible. You can also link two HomePods to become stereo speakers.

And the 2nd generation HomePod has new temperature and humidity sensors. In addition, the 2nd generation HomePod is compatible with the smart home standard `` Matter '', which Apple also participated in formulating. It will be possible to set automation such as 'move'. It also supports

Thread , the next-generation wireless communication standard.

'Leveraging Apple's audio expertise and innovation, the new HomePod delivers rich, deep bass, natural midrange, It delivers clear, detailed highs, and with the popularity of the HomePod mini, we see a growing interest in the more powerful acoustics that can be achieved with a larger HomePod. We look forward to bringing the next generation of HomePod to customers around the world.'

The second-generation HomePod will be released on February 3, 2023 (Friday), and reservations will be accepted from January 19, 2023 (Thursday).