The full-size Apple HomePod second generation is now available for $299 / Rs. 32,900, in white and midnight color options. Deliveries to clients and in-store availability will start on Friday, February 3 in some regions.
According to a Strategy Analytics analysis, Apple’s market share in the market for smart displays and speakers has increased to 10.2% from 5.9% in the same quarter last year. However, it continues to lag well behind Google (GOOG), which has a 20.5% market share, and Amazon (AMZN), which has a market share of 26.4%.
Features & Specs Of The New HomePod
With a backlit touch screen and mesh fabric exterior, the second-generation HomePod has a nearly identical design to the full-size HomePod that was discontinued in March 2021. It has an S7 chip for computational audio, a four-inch high-excursion woofer, five tweeters, four microphones, support for Dolby Atmos spatial audio, and more. Additionally, the speaker supports HomeKit and other smart home accessories with Matter and Siri integration.
The first-generation HomePod was 6.8 inches tall and 5.5 pounds; the new HomePod is 6.6 inches tall and 5.1 pounds; both models are 5.6 inches broad. In comparison to the first model, the new HomePod also has two fewer tweeters and microphones. The updated HomePod features the S7 chip from the Apple Watch Series 7, whereas the original device used the A8 chip from the iPhone 6.
When used with a HomePod, Siri can recognize the individual speaking, adjust music and podcasts to suit their tastes, and respond to more private requests like opening iMessages, accessing reminders, notes, and calendar events, or taking phone calls. A new personal update from Siri on HomePods provides a brief look at the day ahead. With the new intercom capability, you can call another HomePod no matter where they are in the house in a different room, a different zone, or multiple rooms and the other HomePod will automatically play their voice.
