First announced at Apple’s WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) 2017, Apple Homepod is Amazon Echo and Google Home’s newest rival. The Apple Homepod release date was originally going to be December 2017, but in a December 2017 announcement, Apple pushed back the Apple Homepod release date to early 2018.
What can the Apple Homepod do?
It’s spatially aware
The Apple Homepod will be able to detect space and better optimize its sound to suit your home. It’s equipped with seven tweeters that precisely focus the sound. It also adjusts sound to the speaker’s location and offers consumers an“immersive listening experience”.
It can play music
You will be able to use Apple Homepod to listen to music and ask questions about the music currently playing. You can also ask it to play songs based on your favorite songs.
Apple Homepod voice commands
Homepod’s six microphones can cancel background noise and hear you over its own music. You will be able to command it to give you reminders, check the weather, and send messages to your contacts.
The Homepod can control Homekit supported smart home devices
You will be able to use the speaker to control your lighting and appliances at home. There’s also an option to pair two speakers together to create an intercom network around your home or business.
Differences between Apple Homepod and Amazon Echo
Apple Homepod size vs. Amazon Echo size
The Apple Homepod is bigger and heavier than the Amazon Echo. The Echo is at 5.9 inches tall and 820g, while the Homepod is 6.8 inches tall and 2.5kg.
Personal assistant
The Apple Homepod uses Siri while the Amazon Echo, obviously, uses Alexa.
Apple Homepod Compatibility
When it comes to home automation, Apple may not have as much compatibility as Amazon Echo, which has a two-year head start on partnerships within the smart home device market.
Audio
Apple Homepod will have a higher quality speaker than Amazon Echo and offers Airplay 2 connectivity from your devices. It’s more powerful than Amazon Echo, which is basically just a single Bluetooth speaker. However, Amazon Echo can be easily linked to a more powerful music system like Sonos.
Differences between Apple Homepod and Google Home
Apple’s Homepod size vs. Google Home size
Apple Homepod is bigger and heavier than Google Home. Again, Apple Homepod is 6.8 inches tall and 2.5kg, while Google home is 5.6 inches tall and 477g.
Personal assistant
Apple Homepod, of course, uses Siri, while Google Home uses Google Assistant—an ostensibly smarter AI.
Compatibility
Just like the Echo, Google Home will likely have the Homepod beat in terms of its compatibility, simply by way of Home having been on the market longer.
Audio
Just like Google Home’s Wi-Fi speaker, Apple Homepod can stream music from cloud streaming services like Spotify.
Apple Homepod compatible devices
Apple Homepod is compatible with all iOS and HomeKit supported devices.
- iOs devices (iPhone, Mac, Apple smart watch)
- Homekit speakers
- Homekit thermostats (Honeybee, Ecowell,Tado)
- Homekit Lightbulbs
- Homekit Switches
- Smart Lighting (Philips Hue, Kogeek, Nanoleaf)
Apple Homepod price
Apple Homepod will be priced around $349. There are no confirmed prices yet for the UK and AU market.
Apple Homepod release date
Previously announced to launch in December 2017, the Apple Homepod release date was moved to early 2018. Apple told TechRadar that the home speaker will enter the market by early 2018. “We can’t wait for people to experience Homepod, Apple’s breakthrough wireless speaker for the home, but we need a little more time before it’s ready for our customers. We’ll start shipping in the US, UK and Australia in early 2018.”