This is why Apple has released a new HomePod after all

It seemed that there would never be a successor to the HomePod. So why did Apple release a new HomePod?

Disappointing HomePod sales

In 2017, Apple unveiled the HomePod, the company’s first speaker. The smart speaker was for sale for 349 euros and had to deal with disappointing sales figures due to this high price.

Then Apple made a small version of the speaker, the HomePod mini. After the success of the HomePod mini, Apple decided to stop selling the bigger brother in 2021.

Last month, Apple surprised by releasing a second HomePod. The second generation is very similar to its predecessor, both in terms of price and design. So why did Apple decide to revive the smart speaker?

There is now more demand for large speakers

According to Matthew Costello, Apple’s hardware employee, the demand for a large speaker is now greater than it was a few years ago. Streaming music and movies, for example, is more popular than ever, which has also increased the demand for a good speaker. Due to this high demand and the success of the HomePod mini, Apple decided to launch a second HomePod.

According to Costello, there was no need to overhaul the design, because the first HomePod already had great sound. The second generation has therefore not changed much: the speaker is slightly smaller than the first generation and has a touchscreen as a control panel. The second generation – unlike the HomePod mini – is also available in only two colors.

Impossible to connect to first generation

Costello also touched on some of the choices made in the manufacturing process of the second-generation HomePod. For example, it is not possible to connect the HomePod 2023 to the first generation of the speaker, while you get stereo sound with two new HomePods.

Read also: HomePod 2023 review round-up: speaker with excellent sound

According to Costello, this was specifically chosen because the sound of the second HomePod differs from the sound of the old speaker. This difference ensures that the stereo sound is not optimal, so Apple has chosen not to be able to connect the first and second generation. So if you want stereo sound now, you have to buy two new speakers.

In addition, Costello explained why the HomePod has WiFi 4, while most Apple devices now have WiFi 6. According to Costello, it was not necessary to give the smart speaker the newer WiFi, because functions such as Siri already work well with WiFi 4. In addition, WiFi 4 is more energy efficient, which is why Apple has chosen this WiFi standard.

Buying a new HomePod? Check the best prices

Are you planning to buy Apple’s new speaker? Then check the best prices in our price comparison, so you’re sure you’re getting the best deal!

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