Apple HomePod AI Smart Speaker Launching on February 9

Apple‘s HomePod AI smart speaker is set to finally launch on February 9. It is actually available for pre-order as early as Friday, January 26 in the US, UK and Australia. However, those in France, Germany and the rest of the EU would have to wait until spring.

Audio Innovations in a Compact Size

The device uses Apple’s A8 chip and includes a high-excursion woofer aimed upwards. Around the bottom is an array of seven tweeters, creating a fully immersive sound. It even uses spatial awareness so it sounds great wherever it might be placed.

Then surrounding the body is a six-microphone array, capable of taking orders via Siri. In fact, it send messages, set a timer, play a podcast, check the news, sports, weather and traffic as well. It can even control a wide range of HomeKit smart home accessories. The entire unit itself is just under seven inches tall, covered in seamless mesh fabric. It almost looks deceptively simple on first glance.

How can it integrate?

Unsurprisingly, the HomePod works with an Apple Music subscription. This opens up the device with access to hundreds of genres of music. It can even learn the user’s preference and taste and share it across Apple devices. Since it has a microphone, listeners can ask Siri anytime about any information regarding the song playing. Apple’s Music catalogue boasts an expanse of over 45 million songs so there is no shortage of content. Plus, there are also thousands of podcasts available which are synchronizable across various devices. In the middle of a 2-hour podcast in your car? You can continue listening to it on your HomePod without having to bookmark.

The user can also ask Siri to handle various HomeKit devices automatically. So not only can the music start playing once the user walks in, Siri can also turn on the lights or adjust the room temperature.

How much is it?

The Apple HomePod AI speaker has a retail price of $349 USD and is available in Space Gray. It is compatible with is iPhone 5s or later, iPad Pro, iPad Air or later, iPad mini 2 or later, or iPod touch (6th generation) with iOS 11.2.5 or later.