According to Apple, certified refurbished HomePods have been fully functionally tested, inspected, cleaned and repackaged, with a power cord and documentation included in the package.

Launched in January 2023, the second-generation HomePod has a similar design to the full-size HomePod, which was discontinued in 2021, but has a larger backlit touchscreen and some internal changes, such as two fewer tweeters and two fewer microphones.

In addition, the second-generation HomePod is also equipped with an S7 chip similar to the Apple Watch Series 7 for “more advanced computing audio”, and also has a built-in U1 chip for passing audio from the iPhone, as well as indoor temperature and humidity sensors.

The post Apple’s 2nd-Gen HomePod refurbished device is listed in the U.S. appeared first on TechGoing.

Because of the time difference, customers in New Zealand and Australia are always the first to get new devices, and New Zealand doesn’t have an official Apple retail store, so customers in Australia will be the first to buy the new HomePod at the Apple Store.

The second-generation HomePod is similar in size, features, and sound quality to the original model, but has a larger touch display on top. Apple describes the new HomePod like this, “It brings a breakthrough sound quality and smart experience, showing best-in-class sound quality, enhanced Siri functions, and a safe and secure smart home experience.” In terms of hardware, the new HomePod is equipped with a high-amplitude long-stroke woofer, a powerful motor-driven diaphragm with an amazing amplitude of 20 mm, a built-in bass equalizer microphone that supports real-time dynamic adjustment, and the bottom is surrounded by 5 beam-forming horns The array composed of tweeters also has computing audio supported by the high computing power S7 chip.

In addition, the new HomePod has also been greatly upgraded in terms of intelligence. It has built-in temperature and humidity sensors, which can detect and report indoor temperature and humidity. With HomeKit accessories, it can be automatically turned on under certain temperature/humidity conditions. / Turn off smart home devices.

However, compared to the original HomePod, the new HomePod has shrunk in some hardware. Compared with the original HomePod, the tweeter of the new HomePod has been reduced from 7 to 5, the size of the woofer has been reduced from 4.5 inches to 4 inches, the number of circular array microphones has also changed from 6 to 5, and the wireless module is even more From the original 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5, it has become the same 802.11n Wi-Fi 4 as the HomePod mini, and no longer supports MIMO.

The post Apple HomePod 2 Gen goes on sale today: priced at RMB 2299 appeared first on TechGoing.

In an interview with TechCrunch, Matthew Costello, Apple’s vice president of hardware engineering and operations, discussed why Apple decided to reintroduce a full-size HomePod now. According to Costello, Apple “learned from the first generation of HomePod” and introduced the new model at a time when it could “achieve a wide range of experience goals.

Costello also talked about why the new HomePod only supports Wi-Fi 4 connectivity, which is downsized from the Wi-Fi 5 support of the previous model. In his very vague answer, Costello said that this will not have an impact on performance.

“HomePod’s use of Wi-Fi 4 connectivity allows us to reach exactly what’s best across the system,” Costello said, “making sure Siri requests are answered and that all of your experiences in terms of listening, controlling your smart home accessories, and more are consistent while being energy efficient.”

Costello also elaborated on the inability to pair the new HomePod with the original HomePod, “When creating a stereo pair, it’s important that the audio characteristics are matched for an optimal, balanced experience. The new HomePod delivers the immersive, room-filling sound that users love, with more detail, clarity and layers than the original HomePod, so we wanted the acoustic imaging to be as pure and consistent as possible from generation to generation. The principle of having the audio characteristics match in a pair of stereo speakers applies to the HomePod mini, the original HomePod and the new HomePod.”

Costello also said the HomePod mini was “very popular,” but did not provide any other details or comment on the future of the small speaker.

The post Apple executives explain why the new HomePod only supports Wi-Fi 4 appeared first on TechGoing.

CNET’s Ty Pendlebury said

It's very difficult to judge the sound quality of the HomePod 2 at a press event like this, and I'm reserving my opinion until I receive the real thing for review. Apple played popular music such as 'The Weeknd' in the Tribeca loft and my first impression was that it wasn't very loud.

Despite offering 360-degree surround sound, I found that the audio didn't feel too three-dimensional. With Yebba's next track, Boomerang, Apple wanted to emphasise the HomePod's spatial audio compatibility."

Chris Welch of The Verge stated that

"Apple loved using the live recording of 'Hotel California' to demonstrate the HomePods, and the beautifully crafted recording using a variety of microphones really provides a wonderful soundstage.

Like the first generation, HomePod 2 exhibits rich, room-filling, multi-directional sound with an emphasis on high-end clarity and detail.

When used on its own, its sound quality is probably at the top of the range with the likes of Amazon's Echo Studio and Sonos speakers. In the Eagles' live version of 'Hotel California', the two HomePods sounded great together."

Jacob Kroll of The Street said he needed more time to review it before concluding.

"Like the first HomePod, the latest version offers clear, rich audio, with a vibrant sound that provides more detail. I got that from this brief taster, but what's most impressive is that it's still very loud, with a wide soundstage that lets you hear different elements of the tracks.

Overall, I need more time to review Apple's latest smart speaker. But it's fair to say that it can hold its own against other high-end smart speakers such as the original HomePod, as well as competing products from Bose, Sonos and even Amazon. I still maintain that pairing two of them together could outperform the bar."

The post Apple hosts HomePod 2 demo: each song plays for just 30 seconds appeared first on TechGoing.

For users who have bought the first generation of HomePod, it seemed like a good choice to buy a new HomePod to make up stereo sound. However, Apple has officially confirmed that the two generations cannot be paired in stereo.

Apple said in an official press release that forming a HomePod stereo combo requires two HomePod speakers of the same model, such as two HomePod mini, two HomePod (second generation), or two HomePod (first generation), and cannot be mixed and matched.

In addition, the new HomePod’s sound recognition feature will be rolled out later this spring via a software update, which is not yet available to those who purchase it.

The new HomePod has built-in temperature and humidity sensors, and the sound recognition feature detects smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and sends notifications to users when they are identified. Sound recognition should not be relied upon when the user is in a potentially harmful environment or in high-risk or emergency situations. Sound Recognition requires an updated version of the Home architecture, which will be available in a separate update to the Home App. It requires that all Apple devices connected to home accessories use the latest version of the software.

In terms of design, the new HomePod’s exterior consists of a seamless, sound-transparent mesh and a backlit touchpad, available in white and a new midnight color, which is made of 100 percent recycled fabric and comes with a braided power cord in the same color.

For acoustic performance, HomePod features a custom-developed high-amplitude woofer, a 20mm amplitude motor-driven cone, a built-in bass equalizer microphone, and an array of five beamforming tweeters surrounding the bottom to create an acoustic experience. the S7 chip combines software and system sensing technology to deliver more advanced computational audio.

The HomePod (2nd generation) supports iPhone SE (2nd generation) and successors or iPhone 8 and successors running iOS 16.3 or later; iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation) and successors, iPad Air (3rd generation) and successors or iPad mini (5th generation) running iPadOS 16.3. iPad mini (5th generation) and later.

The post Apple HomePod second generation: acoustic experiences for users appeared first on TechGoing.

The HomePod (second generation) is priced at RMB 2,299 (China) and is available for order today in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and 11 other countries and regions, and will go on sale starting Friday, February 3.

In terms of design, the new HomePod features a seamless, acoustically transparent mesh and a backlit touchpad, and is available in white or in a new midnight color, which is made from 100 percent recycled fabric and features a braided power cord in the same color.

The S7 chip combines software and system sensing technologies to deliver more advanced computational audio.

HomePod (second generation) supports iPhone SE (second generation) and successor models or iPhone 8 and successor models running iOS 16.3 or later; iPad Pro, iPad (fifth generation) and successor models, iPad Air (third generation) and successor models or iPad mini (fifth generation) and successor models running iPadOS 16.3. iPad mini (5th generation) and later.

The post Apple launches HomePod second gen: priced at RMB 2,299 appeared first on TechGoing.