APPLE’S HomePod 2 smart speaker has finally been released but I was lucky enough to have a secret test run first.
The tech giant announced its new HomePod on January 18 but only released it on February 3 and it certainly lives up to the hype.
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Apple describes its HomePod 2 as a smart speaker that has “breakthrough sound and intelligence.”
It aims to immerse listeners in clear vocals and instrumentals so every beat feels like it hits you.
The device is available in two colors, white and black (which the company calls midnight).
You can now order it online or buy it from the Apple Store for $299/£299.
Before you go ahead and add to cart, you might want to check out the pros and cons below.
Pros of Apple’s HomePod 2
The HomePod 2 has plenty of pros.
It can sense its surroundings and adapts sound in real-time to the surfaces around it.
The smart speaker immerses listeners in clear vocals and instrumentals so every beat feels like it hits you.
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It has temperature and humidity sensors that the HomePod 1 doesn’t have.
This is great for easily checking in on the environment in your home so you can adapt accordingly.
Another upgrade is the removal power cord, making it easier to transport.
Spatial audio is also a great feature, which is available with some other Apple products too.
Apple says that spatial audio brings “theater-like sound from the movie or video you’re watching, so that sound seems like it’s coming from all around you.”
If you’re lucky enough to have two HomePod 2’s, you can test out the stereo-pairing feature to enjoy an even more intense and immersive audio experience.
I tested out two with my Apple TV and it made Netflix viewing feel cinematic.
Cons of Apple’s HomePod 2
It’s hard to think of many cons for Apple’s HomePod 2 because, as far as smart speakers go, its sound quality is great and arguably worth the money.
However, a lot of the features are pretty similar to the original HomePod so if you already have one you may not want to upgrade just yet.
If you want to make use of stereo-pairing you have to have two of the same HomePods so you can’t pair a HomePod 2 with your HomePod 1.
The biggest downside for me was that Spotify lovers cannot connect the app to the HomePod 2 at this moment in time.
You need to have Apple Music if you want to play more than just the radio.
The good news is users with Apple Music can listen to a catalog of more than 100 million songs.
Apple even lets you sign up to Apple Music for free for the first six months.
People who want to connect their HomePod 2 to the TV will also need to have a relevant Apple device.
