One day after the M2 Pro, M2 Max and the new MacBook Pro, Apple presents the second generation of the HomePod, its connected speaker. Always perfectly integrated into the firm’s ecosystem, this product differs from its predecessor thanks to several new features often inherited from the HomePod mini. The 2nd generation HomePod will be sold at 349 euros. Either at the same price as the previous model abandoned two years ago, for lack of commercial success.
The first-generation HomePod, launched in 2018, was not a commercial success like the iPod, iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. The connected speaker arrived at the same time as the Google Nest and the Amazon Echo. The launch was therefore timely. But, by positioning the HomePod at 349 euros, the Cupertino company played the “high-end” card in a price segment where Sonos was already strongly established. And despite beautiful technical and aesthetic qualities, the product has not met its audience.
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Apple first lowered the price by 20 euros. What is historical. But it was not enough. The speaker was discontinued in 2021, replaced a few months earlier by the HomePod mini, a more compact and above all much more affordable product, since it was offered at 99 euros. The consequence was not long in coming: sales finally increased. January 2023, one day after the announcement of the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro powered by the Apple M2 Pro and M2 Max, the Cupertino company is giving its original speaker a chance.
A second HomePod without much change and sold at the same price
Here is HomePod 2nd generation which had already been leaked at the end of 2022. The new generation takes up the design of the first, with a subwoofer located at the top and five tweeters (and no longer seven) around the base. And the speaker is still controlled by voice, with Siri (and a set of four microphones), or with the fingers, by a touch surface at the top of the product (which has been enlarged in the image of the HomePod mini).
Some small technical changes: the enclosure is compatible AirPlay 2 (with all the services that entails in terms of distribution) and matter (for integration into the home automation universe); she takes a S7 chip (already crossed in the Apple Watch Series 7), a UWB chip for easy connection with the iPhone, a thermometer and one humidity sensor. It is also eARC compatible to broadcast television sound (via Apple TV 4K necessarily).
Taking advantage of the same fabric, the new HomePod retains the strengths of its predecessor. Namely the wall detection for a better sound environment, integration with the Apple ecosystem (with the newly revamped Home app, iPhone or Apple TV already mentioned above) and pairing with an identical HomePod (no Mini, no 1st Gen) to form a stereo system. Too bad this pairing is so restrictivebecause it forces you to buy a second speaker upfront (since you can’t use your current speaker).
Especially since the amount requested by Apple for this speaker is 349 euros. Either the same starting price as the first generation. Will it be successful this time around? Reply from February 3 next, date of its availability in France. Note that the HomePod mini sees its price increase to 119 euros at the same time.
