Home LivingSmart HomeNew Apple HomePod sounds like the smart speaker upgrade I craveApple’s best smart speaker, the original HomePod, was discontinued. But it’s coming back! Back! BACK!When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingSmart HomeNew Apple HomePod sounds like the smart speaker upgrade I craveApple’s best smart speaker, the original HomePod, was discontinued. But it’s coming back! Back! BACK!When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Apple’s best smart speaker, the original HomePod, was discontinued. But it’s coming back! Back! BACK!
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
I’m something of anAppleHomePodfan: I’ve got two of the originals in my front room and threeHomePod minisfor the kitchen and bedroom. And as much as I love the minis, Apple’sbest smart speakerto date is the original and discontinued model.
The OG HomePod was ridiculously expensive – I bought mine second hand on eBay for a much more sensible price – but the sound from the bigger HomePods is spectacular. When it comes to speakers, size often matters a lot.
So I’m delighted to read that Apple is effectively bringing big HomePods back: the next HomePod mini is going to be bigger and better.
How Apple’s best smart speaker is getting smarter
According to Bloomberg’sMark Gurman, the next HomePod will have the same S8 chipset as theApple Watch Series 8, and it’ll be much closer to the original HomePod both in terms of its size and how it sounds. There will be a new display on top, and according to Gurman “there’s even been some talk of multi-touch functionality.”
I think this is great news provided the price is right: for all its joys, the OG HomePod wasn’t a great success because it was so much more expensive than thebest wireless speakersfrom other manufacturers. But if Apple prices it more aggressively it could be a well deserved hit.
If the new HomePods have an Achilles heel, it’s likely to be Siri:a better Siri is really needed now. Siri responds much more slowly and much less reliably than the other digital assistants I’ve used in my home, and as Siri is the main way of controlling HomePods that means its shortcomings are particularly obvious. Apple’s been falling behind in the personal digital assistants space for some time now, so I’m hoping that iniOS16 Siri gets faster and more useful.
Today’s best Apple HomePod mini deals$85View$99View$99.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple HomePod mini deals$85View$99View$99.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple HomePod mini deals
$85View$99View$99.99View
$85View
$85View
$85View
$85
$85
$99View
$99View
$99View
$99
$99
$99.99View
$99.99View
$99.99View
$99.99
$99.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
The new Tesla Model Y is here but you can’t have one (yet)With a facelift giving Cybertruck vibes, this new Tesla is only available in China and Australia – at least for now
With a facelift giving Cybertruck vibes, this new Tesla is only available in China and Australia – at least for now
Full Nintendo Switch 2 announcement could be just days awayReliable industry expert claims the Switch 2 will be unveiled later this week.
Reliable industry expert claims the Switch 2 will be unveiled later this week.
I tried a sound healing relaxation class — here’s my honest reviewAfter hearing mixed reviews on sound therapy, I wanted to try it for myself
After hearing mixed reviews on sound therapy, I wanted to try it for myself
I think these new smart lights are perfect for bringing the Xmas cheerThese new Hue lights and Nanoleaf shapes are the perfect way to brighten up your smart home
These new Hue lights and Nanoleaf shapes are the perfect way to brighten up your smart home
This Instant Pot Air Fryer could be the last kitchen gadget I’ll ever buyThe latest Instant Pot looks like home cooking heaven
The latest Instant Pot looks like home cooking heaven
No, Amazon, I don’t want Alexa to bring my relatives back from the deadJust because we can do something doesn’t mean we should. This Alexa feature is too creepy for me
Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should. This Alexa feature is too creepy for me
Is a gas BBQ worth it? I’m an expert and here’s my honest opinionIf you’re thinking buying a gas BBQ then read this
If you’re thinking buying a gas BBQ then read this
Are wood pellet BBQs worth it? I’m a BBQ expert and this is my honest opinionDiscover whether you should buy a wood pellet BBQ or not
Discover whether you should buy a wood pellet BBQ or not
I’m not sure how to feel about Samsung’s smart TV fridgeSamsung’s Family Hub is bringing Art Mode and live TV to your fridge. I’m not convinced that’s a good idea
Samsung’s Family Hub is bringing Art Mode and live TV to your fridge. I’m not convinced that’s a good idea
New Apple HomePod: 3 key upgrades I want to seeThe original HomePod was brilliant, but it and the HomePod mini have plenty of room for improvement
The original HomePod was brilliant, but it and the HomePod mini have plenty of room for improvement
