When Apple announced the Midnight HomePod mini earlier this week it was also confirmed that it would take the place of the previous Space Gray in the miniature HomePod lineup. But the problem was that the pair looked identical. Turns out, they actually aren't.

The press images that Apple shared certainly didn't give the game away but now that the new color is officially on sale we can indeed confirm that the Midnight HomePod mini is different from the Space Gray one, although you still might need to see them in the flesh to be sure depending on what you're reading this on.

In a video posted to the X social network, Nikias Molina lifted the lid on what you can expect from your new HomePod mini and while it's definitely different, we don't think many people will be ditching their Space Gray model to switch.

HomePod mini gets the blues

As you'll see in the video below, the Midnight HomePod mini is definitely more blue than the Space Gray one which shouldn't be all that surprising if you've seen any of Apple's other Midnight products. The M3 MacBook Air springs to mind, but as you'll no doubt agree, the difference between the two colors isn't a huge one — albeit it's one that's significantly bigger than what we originally expected.

The new Midnight HomePod mini joins the existing colors and sells for the same $99. It also has the same internals, so the only difference you'll notice is that change in external color.

Still, if you're someone who looked at the Space Gray HomePod mini and wished it was just a tad more blue, now is your time to treat yourself.

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Once the dust has settled around the Vision Pro and Apple Intelligence launches, Apple’s ‘next big thing’, according to leaks and rumors, is a push into the robotic. The first fruits of that labor are expected to be a revised HomePod, complete with screen and robotic face-tracking capabilities for FaceTime video calls. 

Sound familiar? It should — it’s conceptually almost identical to Amazon’s third-generation Echo Show 10. And not only is Amazon’s speaker already here, but it’s hugely discounted for Amazon Prime Day, too.

Usually on sale for $249.99, you can pick up Amazon’s top-tier Echo smart speaker for just $199.99 today, knocking 20% (or $50) off its usual RRP price.

Super smart speaker savings

• Speaker deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell

Amazon’s Echo Show 10 third-generation may be a few years old now (it was released in 2021) — but it remains the most advanced smart speaker on the market thanks to its rotating base. Paired with a 10-inch display and camera, its mechanized components will ensure that, during video calls, your face remains framed onscreen, and that any shows you may be watching remain visible as you move around a room. It makes for a great experience particularly when placed in a kitchen, letting you follow along with video recipes as you move around and get cooking.

It’s a great-sounding speaker, too. With a three-inch woofer and two one-inch tweeters, the voice-controlled Echo Show 10 is able to blast your tunes out with just a phrase.

While it lacks HomeKit capabilities, those looking for a central element to a new smart home setup will get a lot of joy from the Echo Show 10 — it's ready to work at the heart of any ZigBee or Matter smart home system, meaning it’ll work with hundreds of connected devices with minimal configuration.

At its RRP it’s already a steep saving over the cost of a HomePod 2. But throw in a $50 discount and it’s an absolute bargain.

Apple has today unveiled a new HomePod mini that will be immediately familiar to those of us who already own one — especially those who own a Space Gray one.

Apple's unveiling of the "HomePod mini in midnight" comes as the company says that it will officially go on sale on Wednesday, July 17 although there was no suggestion that the midnight HomePod mini launch would happen at midnight, unfortunately.

The new speaker appears to be identical to the previous model albeit carrying Apple's new fondness for midnight as a descriptor for its darkest color. We'd suggest that existing owners probably won't need to rush out to upgrade, that's for sure, but it's possible that photos of the new color don't do it justice but we'll need to see the new and old models side-by-side to confirm that.

You look ... familiar

Apple's stealth update by press release matches the stealthy changes that appear to be going on here. On the inside, the new HomePod mini matches those already on sale in other colors including the same Apple S5 chip and speaker configuration. "At just 3.3 inches tall, HomePod mini offers big sound in an impressively compact design," Apple says, adding that with "a seamless, acoustically transparent mesh exterior and a backlit touch surface that illuminates from edge to edge, HomePod mini is a stunning smart speaker that complements any space."

The new color joins the existing yellow, orange, blue, and white options and will retail for the same $99 this Wednesday. It'll initially launch in the U.S., Canada, China mainland, Singapore, and 28 other countries and regions.

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New code uncovered in Apple’s latest tvOS 18 beta has revealed that Apple is hiding a secret touchscreen interface that could point to Apple’s rumored HomePod with a display. 

9to5Mac has revealed that Apple’s new tvOS interface is dubbed “PlasterBoard”, and features “some core interface elements” of a new tvOS interface, replete with support for use with a touchscreen. Such elements include a Lock Screen with a passcode keypad you’d find on iPhone and iPad. 

“Code and how the interface behaves strongly suggest that it was made for touchscreens and not for regular TVs,” the report postulates, noting that there’s currently no option to lock Apple TV with a passcode, a feature that would only make sense for a more personal device.

Touschreen HomePod incoming 

While we can’t guarantee what this tvOS interface points to, both Apple TV and HomePod share the same OS architecture, and given burgeoning rumors of a HomePod featuring a display, the link seems too good to be true. 

Just last week a mysterious Apple ‘Home Accessory’ featuring the iPhone 16’s rumored A18 chip was spotted in Apple’s backend, possibly indicating the device could include support for Apple Intelligence. 

Apple’s HomePod is a tremendous smart speaker, and having owned both generations I wouldn’t be parted with either. However, the prospect of a HomePod that also offers touchscreen capabilities for controlling your smart home, media, or anything else is simply too good to turn down. An A18 chip would give it serious power and could turn Siri into a fully-fledged smart home assistant powered by AI, ready to answer any query. 

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen leaks of this rumored upcoming HomePod upgrade, the device was also spotted in the tvOS 17.4 beta. Reputable insider Mark Gurman says we shouldn’t expect the device for 2025, however. 

If Apple does have a touchscreen HomePod 3 in the works, I’ll be at the front of the queue on launch day.

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We're accustomed to Apple Watches saving lives, but the idea of a HomePod or HomePod mini saving a life is something that we don't come across all that often. But thankfully, Apple's smart speaker sprung into action when a kitchen fire had the potential to cause catastrophe.

According to reports a fire started in the kitchen of a home after a "curious" dog inadvertently turned on an oven that happened to have cardboard boxes on it. The result, as you can imagine, was a fiery inferno.

However, an Apple HomePod saved the day after sending a push notification to the homeowners to warn them of the fire which gave them time to put it out before the fire brigade arrived.

Staying alert

A Facebook post by the Colorado Springs Fire Department, first spotted by 9to5Mac, detailed the story by saying that the homeowners were "woken up by their Apple HomePod which sent them a 'High Heat' notice."

However, it's most likely that the HomePod heard the home's fire alarm and alerted the homeowners as a result. The HomePod cannot act as a smoke detector itself but can listen out for the sound of existing smoke detectors in your home and send a push notification to your iPhone if an alarm is heard. You can enable HomePod alarm recognition on any HomePod, HomePod 2, or HomePod mini.

As this instance shows, turning on this feature could well save your home and, potentially, your life.

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There have long been rumors that Apple is working on a new smart home device that would be a cross between the HomePod and the Apple TV, but so far Apple is yet to confirm its existence. Now, a new leak appears to have done it anyway.

According to that leak, Apple is currently working on a device that has the model identifier "HomeAccessory17,1." That identifier does not currently exist and what's more, there is no such device called "HomeAccessory" anywhere in Apple's current lineup. The HomePod uses the "AudioAccessory" identifier, however.

The new reference could suggest that Apple is getting ready to launch a whole new type of device, but when that could happen is far from clear.

HomeAccessory17,1

The news was shared by MacRumors which says it discovered code referencing the device on Apple's backend, suggesting that it is not yet ready for public consumption.

However, perhaps the most interesting part of the leak is the suggestion that this mystery device could use that A18 chip, silicon that is also expected to power the iPhone 16 later this year. If so, we could see this device sport Apple Intelligence – a feature that won't be coming to existing HomePod hardware.

"Interestingly, the 17,1 in the identifier name suggests that this device may receive Apple's upcoming A18 chip, which will be used in all four iPhone 16 models later this year," the report notes. "With the A18 chip, the HomeAccessory device would have the power for Apple Intelligence."

If Apple really is reading a new smart home device we could see it debut in September around the same time that new iPhones and Apple Watches are also expected to break cover.

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If you own an iPhone X, an original HomePod, or AirPods, we’ve got bad news — Apple has added these products to its ‘vintage’ list, meaning if you’re holding onto them, it might be time to upgrade.

The company’s ‘vintage’ list notifies users that repairs will no longer be guaranteed at its Apple Stores. Devices are usually added to this list between five and seven years after Apple stopped distributing them for sale. For instance, the first-generation AirPods were made available in December 2016, the iPhone X in October 2017, and the original HomePod in February 2018. Therefore, these products are now eligible to be added to the vintage list.

Keep in mind though, that this doesn't mean these devices will suddenly stop working — it just means that it may now be harder for Apple to repair them. With Amazon Prime Day starting soon on July 16-17, this event could be a great opportunity to look into an upgrade if you own one of these three products.

Perfect timing for Amazon Prime Day

There are already a few Prime Day iPhone deals to take advantage of before Amazon’s event officially begins. If you’re still rocking an iPhone X and you’ve been happy with it, you may want to consider a renewed iPhone 14 Pro model. You’ll still benefit from a bunch of substantial upgrades, such as the camera, the Dynamic Island, and more.

For AirPods, the line has expanded into three: AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, all of which are already discounted! Currently, the best Prime Day AirPods deal has the AirPods Pro 2 at $20 off at B&H Photo already, allowing you to take advantage of its great noise-cancellation feature. If you’re thinking about replacing your original HomePod, the second-generation model or the mini version are great replacements to consider. The HomePod mini comes in a variety of colors. Although the smart speaker isn’t currently on offer at Best Buy, we wouldn’t be surprised to see that change as we get closer to Prime Day and retailers start trying to compete with Amazon.

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If you’re looking for the perfect central piece of an Apple-based smart home, then you need look no further than a HomePod. They sound good, look good, and even when compared to other smart speakers, they’re priced reasonably.

The trouble is that you could never call them cheap — and even worse, they’re very rarely reduced. Luckily, in its two-day Apple sale, Best Buy has seen fit to reduce the prices of both HomePod models, and while they might not seem like the biggest price drops, they are welcome savings on what are some of Apple’s most underrated products.

HomePod mini and HomePod 2 reduced

• Smart speaker deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Amazon 

HomePods are wonderful devices, bringing some top-quality sound along with a great base for an Apple Home setup. Smart voice-activated features come from Siri, and you stream hi-res tracks from Apple Music for higher quality music than you’ll find in other smart speakers.

These prices won’t stick around forever either — this Best Buy Apple sale is only going to be around until June 9. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the sale while it's still live, there are some great savings on other Apple devices.

Apple's HomeKit smart home system is pretty great in the way that it takes accessories and systems from various different companies and then melds them into one, cohesive collection setup that seems to always work..... is what I would say if it were true. But it isn't.

Not to do HomeKit a disservice, but cause when it works, it works well. Its biggest problem used to be that there were just so few accessories that worked with it that people would be better off sticking to Google Home or Amazon's Alexa smart home options. But these days that's all been rectified thanks to the advent of Matter and whatnot. Now, there's a new problem — the flakey home hub.

See, you need a home hub to control your HomeKit and Matter accessories whenever you're away from home, want to share access to your accessories with others or have the audacity to try and automate your smart home accessories using the Home app. Apple's HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV can all work as home hubs, and once your home hub is up and running, it works well. So long as you only have one of them. Have multiple, and things can go awry — automation stops working first, then you start to experience other oddities. But there might be a workaround, and all you need is a spare Apple TV.

The home hub dance

My HomeKit setup involving an Apple TV 4K, a HomePod, and two HomePod minis has worked relatively well for some time now so I'd forgotten the farce that can be a system that misbehaves when you have multiple devices that are capable of acting as a home hub. Thankfully, Brian Stucki reminded me in a blog post that detailed how to force an Apple TV to act as a home hub, preventing other devices from taking over.

See, it's the taking over that causes the problem. If you're using a home hub that works well, with a solid connection to your network, everything's great. The problems come when your setup decides all on its own to switch from using that hardwired Apple TV 4K to a HomePod in a bedroom with an iffy Wi-Fi connection. And there's seemingly no way to stop it from doing it.

"I'll start off by saying that there is no official way to determine which device is used as the home hub," Stucki explains. "You can disable HomeKit on an Apple TV so it's not selected as a hub. You cannot disable the HomePod as a home hub. But there is no option anywhere to say "Use this device as the home hub."

So what's the fix? Some believe that the device with the lowest IP address or fastest connection is the one Apple chooses as the home hub, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Instead, Stucki believes, "the device with the most current software is chosen as the home hub."

That's where the spare Apple TV comes into play.

"About a week ago, I took an Apple TV that has been sitting in my "unused tech" drawer for a couple years. (What? We all have that drawer right?) Luckily, it was one with an ethernet port which isn't the case for all current Apple TV units being sold," Stucki explains. "I connected the Apple TV to a monitor and set it up as normal with my iCloud login. I enabled HomeKit and assigned it to my 'Office' room. I then enrolled it in the Apple Beta Software Program and set for updates to be applied automatically. I also disabled sleeping and screen saver."

That setup has apparently been running for a week with no issues, even after "switching routers, resetting wifi networks, and lots of other things" that would normally cause HomeKit to switch home hubs of its own accord. So far, so good.

The real problem? Stucki says that "all of this could change at any time," and that's an issue. With Apple's desire to hide options and settings, it removes the power to really troubleshoot these kinds of issues. And even if this spare Apple TV option does do the trick, it simply isn't a viable option for most.

I'd love it if Apple gave us more configuration options for HomeKit, but I won't hold my breath. With Apple's newfound focus on AI with iOS 18 and beyond, the chance of Apple taking the time to make something as simple as turning on the lights work each and every time seems remote, at best.

Still, it isn't all bad. "Plus...this new role frees up an Apple TV Remote to serve as a replacement when others are lost," Stucki adds.

We've all been there.

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I’d love to be proved wrong, but what everyone else seems to be calling a new soundbar-like Apple HomePod of the future looks a whole lot like the old ‘pump loud tunes and pray it doesn’t burn your house down’ Beats Pill XL to me. Why? Let me explain.

While there have been loads of exotic rumors that point to upcoming HomePods with removable screens and panning motors in them so that you can see them at all times, none of them have pointed towards something that looks like the images that are in a patent recently granted to Apple.

That’s a pill, mate.

In the patent are images of a long, pill-shaped speaker. There’s what looks to be a mesh cover that makes up the curved portion of the speaker, much akin to the Beats Pill Bluetooth speakers of old. The rear of the device seems shaped to allow the speaker to stand on its side, angled so that the music-making part faces either upwards slightly or forwards.

What some outlets are calling ports on the back look to be little more than either controls (they are round) or other design elements, while the large square is more likely hiding a charging port.

Upon further inspection, the diagrams match, almost exactly, the old, recalled Beats Pill XL. From the recessed stripe and the circular housing for the Beats logo on the front, to the four buttons, battery lights, and the oblong connections cover on the rear— the images in the patent are of the Beats Pill XL.

Apple often files for, and is granted, patents for products already out there on the market. Take this ‘stylus for electronic devices’ patent published on April 30, for example. The patent clearly depicts the Apple Pencil and an iPad that can detect force and input, just like Apple’s current iPad lineup.

This doesn’t preclude a new Beats Pill speaker coming in the future. Indeed, Apple seems to be making more of an effort with the Beats line than it has previously. There were the Beats Studio Pro and the Studio Buds Plus last year, and now there are rumors of new Solo4 headphones and low-cost Solo Buds. A new Pill speaker could round out the line perfectly, and given that Lebron James was spotted with one that looks eerily similar to that on the patent, it's possible Apple is planning to resurrect the Pill, albeit without a significant design change. Famously, Apple announced a voluntary recall of its Beats Pill XL speakers, including a refund for customers, in 2015, after it emerged the battery inside may overheat, posing a fire safety risk.

If nothing else, that’s a very Beats B-shaped circle on the front. Future or past, we’d bet the house that this is not a new Apple soundbar, HomePod, or the futuristic robot droid you’ve been looking for.

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Have you been waiting to pick up the HomePod for that long-rumored version with a display? If so, a recent HomePod 3 leak might just tempt you to wait a little longer.

Kosutami, a reputable leaker who previously showed off the FineWoven band before its official release, has leaked what appears to be the top of the HomePod 3’s display. It looks very glossy and incredibly different from previous HomePod models. Where previous models have a short clean circle with the Siri symbol inside, this display model looks different with small notches wrapping around the side and a larger display.

Though Kosutami has accurately leaked Apple products before, it’s important to note that, until we see this design officially unveiled, we can’t assume it is true. However, if it is, it’s a big upgrade that could allow HomePods to do some very cool things. To compare its potential to its competitors, Amazon’s Echo Show 10 is a home device with a display that can be used to listen to music, set timers, read news, and even watch the best shows on Apple TV Plus. We could see the HomePod 3 offering many of the same features.

What else do we know about the HomePod 3?

We don’t have an official report or leak yet on the release date of the HomePod 3 but WWDC 2024 is just around the corner so we could always hope to see it there. If so, this could mean a potential release in either September, alongside the iPhone 16, or in early 2025. This would mean a launch two years after the HomePod 2. Given the display is a huge upgrade, we could also see Apple’s home device get a price bump from the HomePod 2’s $299.

Though the display is what we expect to be the biggest change for the HomePod 3, it is worth noting that Apple AI is currently in development and we might even see a little bit of how AI will affect devices later this year. With this in mind, Apple is said to be improving its Siri capabilities substantially. To account for this, the Homepod 3 may need a Neural Engine upgrade like the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 received. These are the best iPhones and best Apple Watchs respectively right now, and this is partially down to those neural changes. The HomePod 3 will likely be a much more capable device and not just because of hardware upgrades.

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The HomePod 3 is expected to make some pretty radical improvements over the last model, yet we haven't received much official information yet. Just a few months ago, eagle-eyed users spotted code in tvOS 17.4's third beta, alluding to the new device and suggesting the screen-laden third smart speaker is on its way.

The infamous HomePod with a screen has been in development for three years now, yet it skipped the HomePod 2 early last year. The HomePod 3 is not only said to receive this screen but other advancements in technology that could one day combine with Apple AI to make the smart device so much smarter. Apple has been reported to be combining FaceTime, Apple TV, and HomePod into a single device way back in 2022, and fans are hoping Apple's next Home Pod will be the one to do it. Recent reports have even shown off what the long-awaited display will look like. 

Here is everything we know about the Apple HomePod 3 right now. 

HomePod 3: The headlines

What is it? A HomePod smart speaker, potentially with a screen and an AI Siri upgrade, or maybe even a new entry in an all-new line of home robotics products.

When can we expect it? September/October is possible should a WWDC 2024 reveal happen. But realistically, this could be into next year or beyond.

Key upgrades? An alleged screen capable of FaceTime and video display, Apple TV integration and Siri AI upgrades.

HomePod 3: Expected release date

The million-dollar question is when will we see HomePod 3 in the flesh. Provided there is some sort of announcement about it at WWDC 2024, it's possible that we could see a release as early as September/October 2024, but the smart money is on a release in the early part of 2025 — two years on from the release of HomePod 2.

HomePod 3: Design

Integrating a display into the current HomePod presents some design problems. When faced with the same challenge of adding a screen to what is essentially a big speaker Amazon has adopted a few different designs. The model 8 of the Show looks more like an iPad designed to stand on a desk, but we don't think that Apple would want to go in this direction as it already has the iPad line. 

Instead, a look at the Echo Show 10 gives us a good example of a product that still looks very much like a speaker, but has an integrated screen whose position can be adjusted by the user. And if Apple's robotic ambitions are set to be believed, the display could sit at the end of a robot arm that tracks your head position, so it's always looking directly at you as you move around the room. The overall effect would not be unlike the old angle-poised G3 iMac, which was a notable design hit from Apple's past.

Alternatively, we could imagine a HomePod 3 looking like a speaker with a built-in display that occupies the area where the colored Siri lights currently swirl on the existing HomePod mini and HomePod 2, and a camera perhaps integrated into the base. This would be closest to the most recent reports.

We'd love it if the HomePod line eventually incorporates a robot that follows you around your home, tending to your every need. Taking inspiration from the existing Roomba-type robots that clean your home, a fully featured home robot could look like anything from a robot pet (think AIBO, Sony's robotic puppy) to something that looks more like R2-D2 or even C3-PO, from Star Wars. We're stretching into the realms of science fiction here, but the future could be nearer than you think. Recent rumors suggest Apple is now heavily investing in robotics alongside its AI ambitions, following the shuttering of its autonomous car division.

The lack of an official Apple release hasn't stopped people from dreaming up some HomePod 3 concepts they'd love to see. In 2022, the Swiss website Handy Abovergleich produced some concept designs for an integrated Apple TV and HomePod. More recently, designer Justin Latham has gone in the other direction and produced a HomePod Nano design, that is smaller and more like an alarm clock. 

HomePod 3: Price

HomePod 2 from Apple is $299 on the Apple store, while HomePod mini is $99. If the HomePod 3 features a screen then we'd hope that the price point of $299 could be maintained, especially considering that the Echo Show 10, with a screen, is only $249 on Amazon.com. But considering the potential for this to eat some of the iPad line-up's lunch, be ready to spend north of $500 for any device that essentially combines an iPad and HomePod in one unit.

HomePod 3: Connecting to your Smart Home

While Apple has made some inroads into the smart home market with HomeKit and the Home app, it certainly hasn't cracked it yet. While you can now use an Apple TV as a hub to control your smart home devices, and also the existing HomePod and HomePod mini, it certainly feels like Apple could do with a device that looks more and acts more like a central hub from which to control your smart home devices with ease. A HomePod with a dedicated screen would fit that bill perfectly, enabling you to access a security camera or choose which smart lights to turn on or off.

As much as Apple users hate to admit it, the Alexa/Siri war is being won by Amazon right now. Alexa is just better at acting like a virtual assistant, and Amazon and Google devices tend to be cheaper. Apple could still win out here though, because we get the feeling nobody really trusts Alexa to not analyze your data to try to sell you things. People respect Apple's greater degree of security and privacy, not to mention Apple's seamless integration between devices. HomePod 3 could be the device that convinces people that it's safe to enter the smart home market.

HomePod 3: Siri gets serious with AI

Finally, consider what an AI boost to Siri could mean for HomePod 3. We already know that Apple has been generating its own Apple GPT chatbots for use within the company, and we're holding out great hopes for an AI boost to Siri in iOS18 at this year's WWDC. 

Conversing with Siri on HomePod 3 and having it talk back to you would be a game changer. Just imagine getting answers to your questions instead of the usual, "here's what I found on the web" response. This would completely change your concept of searching on the web, and it could be that you wouldn't actually need Google anymore for simple answers to simple questions.

The possibilities of merging AI with your smart home could be thrilling. Could you ask your fridge light to blink out the words to the national anthem in Morse code? Maybe. Or perhaps when you ask HomePod 3 to open the garage doors it will respond with a chilling, "I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that".

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Do you remember the glossy white iPod Hi-Fi dock of yesteryear? Well, an unreleased black version has surfaced online, giving us an insight into what could’ve been for Apple’s speaker system.

Originally released in February 2006, the iPod Hi-Fi allows users to dock their iPod via the 30-pin connection and listen to their iTunes music via two wide-range speakers. It’s fair to say the product wasn’t a success, with its $349 price tag leading to the Hi-Fi’s discontinuation in September 2007.

Now, José Benitez Cong, who “helped build the team” that made the iPod Hi-Fi has taken to X to showcase a very rare blacked-out model. He says, “This was a marvel of a design for its time,” and that the black variant was a gift to a friend that was “THE only black HiFi in existence.” Cong says he still uses his iPod Hi-Fi for workouts, thanks to its ease of use and the ability to quickly dock your iPod and charge it at the same time.

Nowadays, Apple’s speaker offerings are HomePods and while they far exceed the audio quality and value proposition of the iPod Hi-Fi back in 2006, they still fall short in one key area: No display.

A HomePod with a display?

We’ve heard the rumblings for months, and it’s likely that at some point in the product lifespan, we’ll see a HomePod with a display to select your tunes from Apple Music easily. Seeing the iPod Hi-Fi again for the first time in years reminds me of how awesome docking an iPod or even an iPhone 4 used to be. Rather than relying on Siri, you got to pick your music by scrolling through your library with that glorious click wheel — it’s far more manual but far more satisfying.

The HomePod 2 sounds fantastic, but AirPlay in my home can sometimes be a little unreliable, and crucially, Siri doesn’t understand my Scottish accent. The lack of options for controlling my HomePod actually led to me selling Apple’s smart speaker and opting for Sonos, which seems to be far more reliable on my home network.

The black iPod Hi-Fi has me yearning for some kind of built-in HomePod display, hopefully, Apple decides to launch one sooner rather than later.

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Apple's HomePod with an iPad-like screen attached is still in development, but it doesn't look like it's coming anytime soon.

That's the latest from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman's latest Power On newsletter, which says that Apple continues to work on new ways to combine its devices.

"There was a device that would combine the Apple TV, FaceTime and HomePod in one system, as well as a HomePod with a screen that swivels like a robotic arm", Gurman explains, also noting "Apple also has explored making iPad-like smart displays that could be magnetically attached to a wall."

Sadly, we shouldn't expect any of the above anytime soon. Gurman doesn't believe Apple has made enough progress on any to expect them soon and notes indecision on Apple's part about how to best approach building its smart home product line.

Despite iOS 17.4's beta suggesting a new HomePod with a display could be on the cards, Gurman doesn't believe the mythical device will launch anytime soon.

Where is Apple's smart speaker with a screen?

Gurman does note that Apple is sounding out some suppliers about the concept, notably China's BYD which helps manufacture some iPads, and the project is being helmed by Apple executives Matt Costello and Brian Lynch. Still, the report suggests we'll be waiting until 2025 at the earliest.

The reported smart hub that would add a tablet-like display onto a HomePod-style smart speaker has seemingly been in the works for years. The idea would be to allow for FaceTime calls via the speaker, as well as potentially tying in with Apple TV.

Rivals such as Amazon's Echo Show offer similar functionality, but for the time being you'll need to use the iPhone's StandBy mode for a similar experience within the Apple ecosystem.

For more from Gurman, be sure to check out the latest wearable tech Apple is reportedly looking into, including AirPods with cameras.

There’s been speculation about a HomePod with a built-in display for a while now, and it looks like we could see the redesigned HomePod sooner rather than later.

According to 9to5Mac, code in tvOS 17.4 beta 3 references a new device capable of running the software “Z314.” Apple TV and HomePod both run tvOS, despite the latter lacking a user interface. In the source code, the “Z314” is powered by an A15 Bionic chip, and the code reveals there are production versions of the product in testing. 

tvOS 17.4 beta 3 also adds SwiftUI as well as hangtracerd, which is a system tool for debugging unresponsive UI — which begs the question. Why would a HomePod have need for a debug for an unresponsive UI without the addition of a screen?

We’ve heard rumblings of a HomePod with a display for months, and the idea of a HomePod merged with a small tablet like an iPad mini 6 is a very intriguing product concept. Amazon’s Echo Show and Google Nest are great examples of what a smart speaker/display combo can be, and the thought of Apple entering that market is incredibly exciting. If the product is in testing, we might not have long to wait to see a HomePod with a display in the flesh, and I’ll be right at the front of the line to grab what is sure to be the best smart speaker on the market. 

A HomePod with a screen? Why?

Imagine the possibilities of a HomePod with a built-in display. You could take FaceTime calls in the kitchen without propping up your iPhone, use Apple Music with gorgeous cover art on display at all times, and even do a quick Google search with Siri without grabbing your phone from your pocket. I’ve been an admirer of the Echo Show for a while, but I'm not a fan of Amazon’s UI, so the thought of a tvOS HomePod is something that I’d be very intrigued to see come to fruition.

More from iMore

• I turned my HiFi system into a very expensive HomePod
• HomePod mini: Is Apple's smart speaker worth getting?
• Apple HomePod 2: Everything you need to know

Spatial Audio, for a long time, was the feature of the expensive smart speaker. The territory of the larger Sonos Speakers, costly soundbars, and the HomePod 2. SoundCore, the audio offshoot of Anker, shifted the dial on the Spatial audio availability matrix and brought the standard to the masses with the excellent Motion X600, a Bluetooth speaker with a premium build, wicked audio, and that all-important Spatial audio.

Now, the firm has turned the dial again, and given us more budget brilliance in the form of the Motion X500, a speaker that also packs in Spatial audio for a slightly lower price and a smaller footprint.

Soundcore Motion X500: Price and availability

The Soundcore Motion X500 is available from the Soundcore store for $169. That’s around $30 less than the $199 Motion X600 and puts it in a great place when you look at the Bluetooth speaker landscape.

That stacks it up against speakers from the likes of UE, which don’t come equipped with Spatial audio — something that comes very much in the favor of the Soundcore. You can also grab one from Amazon, for the same price.

Soundcore Motion X500: Build and style

Like the X600 that came before it, I really like the way that the X500 looks. It’s got a retro style with its handle and metallic finish that sets it apart from its competition, and the buttons on top blend in with a flush surface. 

The coolest thing to look at is the lit-up Spatial upfiring speaker grill. It's got a kind of three-dimensional lighting effect that has to be seen to be believed — and I think it looks phenomenal.

It helps that the speaker is built well too. There are metal bits all over the place to make it feel premium, and the plastic that the rest of it is made out feels sturdy and chunky. In some parts (the bits that you touch) it's covered with a pleasing soft-touch coating to make it feel even better under the finger — and it succeeds. 

It all adds up to a speaker that looks great in a room and feels like something that costs far more than it actually does. The Motion X line is shaping up to be a very attractive lineup indeed.

Soundcore Motion X500: Features

First and foremost is that Spatial Audio — and like last time, it works a treat. No, it might not be quite as impressive as that which comes from the HomePod 2 or the Sonos Era 300, but it does add an extra element to your music that makes it sound much bigger than it actually is. Music is widened to a nice degree, giving it that ‘Spatial’ moniker.

This time you can’t turn the Spatial Audio off — only use the button to sort through a series of preset EQs. There’s a warm one, a more neutral one, and a super warm one. A nice touch — the light in the up-firing grill changes color to tell you which EQ you’re using. The EQs are well built, if a little bassy, but most will be pleased by the ‘bigger than it looks’ Spatial Audio.

Bluetooth connection is as easy as entering pairing mode with the Bluetooth button and connecting through the settings on your iPhone. Once paired, you can access the speaker's extra features using the continuously excellent Soundcore app. Here, you can change the EQ, and more importantly, customize it to your liking, alongside checking and changing power settings and other gubbins. It really is a great app, and if you’ve got lots of different Soundcore kit then you can manage it all in one place. You can even change the color of the light on top to anything you want. Nice.

Soundcore Motion X500: Sound Quality

Let’s get one thing out of the way first — the Motion X500 is not HiFi. It’s very good, it's very fun, it's very engaging, but you wouldn’t hand it to the local audio enthusiast and say ‘This is the best thing I’ve ever heard!’. Instead, you’ll play it at parties and gatherings, and everyone will tell you “WOW! That much clear, bassy sound coming from a small box like that? That’s pretty cool”.

The X500 is extremely bassy. While this isn’t to my taste, everyone else I played it for loved its rich lower tones and punchy bass. I don’t mind the bass being so forward in this case — because the mids and the higher register is so clear. Sure, it’s not as emphasized as I might like, but there’s enough to make me feel like I’ve been somewhat catered to. I even managed to make an EQ that I really enjoyed — even if it is on the bassier end of the spectrum.

Give it a whirl with some drum and bass and you’ll soon see what I mean. The hi-hats in Jonny Ls Piper are just as tight and crisp as you would hope, and yet the bass notes still pump away for that ‘I can feel it in my chest… Wait, that thing’s the size of a small toaster!’ feeling that makes listening to devices like this so much fun.

Avoid classical music, and head straight for some more fun with Biceps Glue, and you’ll find more of the same. The drums are enough to not be completely overtaken by the massive bass, and then it kicks in for some bouncing fun. Love it.

Other genres are good too — pop is another strong point here. Lady Gaga’s iconic ‘Rain on Me’ sounds huge, and hits in all the right ways. The vocals are crystal clear, and the bass is big. Sure, there’s not much detail, but when it's this much fun, you won’t mind. And neither will the rest of the party, as the tunes play at top volume and annoy the neighbors.

Soundcore Motion X500: Competition

There is some tough competition, not least from the Motion line itself. The X600 only costs around $30 more, but does sound better and goes louder. It’s not quite got as much bass behind it, but it is the more dynamic of the two speakers. If you’re looking for a great speaker for everything, go for the X600. Want something big, brash, and perfect for a party? Grab the X500.

It compares well to other party speakers as well — the UE line is equally bassy and ‘big’ sounding, but the UE Boom and MegaBoom lack the spatial audio of the X500. You can connect two of the X500 through the app, but the points there go to the UE models — you can connect up to 100 speakers together for the ultimate party experience. That’s all well and good, but you’ve all got to have UE speakers, and everyone gets access to the playlist when you connect them together like that. “Too many cooks spoil the broth”, as they say.

Soundcore Motion X500: Should you buy it?

Soundcore Motion X500: Verdict

The Soundcore Motion X500 is a great speaker if you’re looking for something with loads of low-end grunt. The looks, build quality, and otherwise impressive sound quality is by the by, if you want bass and lots of it, then this is the speaker for you.

It’s priced really well, and loads of fun to listen to. Just don’t put Mozart through it — it doesn’t do well with Classical music.

The return of the big HomePod in 2023 was not something many were expecting. After Apple introduced the HomePod mini in November 2020, it was assumed that it was all we'd see from the lineup for the foreseeable future. 

So its return in January was a great surprise. Featuring five horn-loaded tweeters, room sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, Spatial Audio support, and more, we judged HomePod 2 as an "audio triumph" in our review. It looks like the speaker has one last surprise before 2023 wraps up, however, with $20 off both the Midnight and White models at B&H Photo. This puts HomePod 2 at $279, down from $299.

Where to find the best HomePod Cyber Monday deals

• Amazon — Save on HomePod accessories
• Walmart — New and refurbished iPads reduced
• Best Buy — $15 off multiple HomePod models

• iPhone deals: Verizon | AT&T | Mint Mobile
• MacBook deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy
• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

HomePod 2 can also act as a HomeKit hub. This means that it can connect to your compatible lights, air purifiers, and more — then you can control these through Apple's Home app.

It's a great way for this speaker to be the center of your home, while also being able to blast out some great music that could suit everyone's tastes. From Rolling Stones to Taylor Swift, HomePod 2 can fit everyone's tastes. With this rare $20 discount, the time could be now to look at bagging one before the offer inevitably disappears soon.

The speakers that are attached to your MacBook or stuck inside your monitor are, for lack of a better term, dreadful. Even the ones packed into a MacBook Pro 14 or 16-inch are still hollow and tinny to some degree, and by no means ideal for doing any more than watching a simple YouTube video. A pair of good desktop speakers is pretty much a must, let's be honest, particularly if you don’t want to spend all day with headphones on or in your ears.

For a better experience, you’re going to need a pair of the best desktop speakers for Mac. Something that can sit on your desk, hook up to your Mac easily, and then play those sweet, sweet sounds you’ve not been getting from your old gear. Well, Cyber Monday is (as you’ve probably already spotted), already upon us, and some great deals are lurking about to help you save money on some brand new speakers for your desk.

For one, the KEF LSX II, some of the best desktop speakers around, have a massive $400 discount. I have the passive, larger LS50 Meta — a stunning pair of speakers that pack a larger version of the same tech as these wireless speakers. They're compact, attractive, and perhaps the best audio deal of the sale.

Where to find the best Cyber Monday speaker deals

• Amazon — Massive savings on Bluetooth and passive speakers
• Best Buy — Desktop and Bluetooth savings
• Crutchfield — HiFi speakers and wireless desktop speaker deals

More speaker Cyber Monday deals

• Speaker deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell
• Smart speaker deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Amazon 

One of the most used pieces of tech in my listening room — ergo, a wall in my bedroom, is the Wiim Pro. It’s a streamer that hooks up to my HiFi system and then connects to my phone to play music from my best music streaming apps. It’s currently linked up to my amp and speakers, and gives a much higher quality connection than Bluetooth could even hope to achieve.

Now, there’s an option that means I don’t have to worry about connecting a streamer to an amp — Wiim has just unveiled the Wiim amp, a streamer and amplifier all in one that will save loads of space for some users.https://www.imore.com/ipad/best-ipad-black-friday-deals

Wiim Amp — AirPlay over speakers

A HomePod is all well and good, but compared to a pair of dedicated stereo speakers? It’s nothing. The trouble is that you need an amp to power those speakers, as they don’t have the circuitry necessary to power themselves. This is where the Wiim Amp will come in. Connect up your epic stereo speakers, and then it’s off to wireless hi-fi music-ville.

Now for some technical information (because if you’re interested, like me, then it’s fun). It’s got a D-class amplifier which outputs 60 watts per channel over 8ohm speakers, and 120 watts per channel if you’re using 4ohm speakers. There’s an RCA port on the bag for an analog input (which is always nice for a small, desktop-sized amp), an HDMI port with an Audio Return Channel, and then the aforementioned WiFi for the AirPlay connection.

The DAC inside is the industry-loved Sabre Premium DAC, so you can rest assured that the quality of audio it puts through those speakers is going to be monstrous. The Wiim Amp works with the excellent Wiim app, which I’ve found to be better than most smart speaker apps.

The Wiim amp is available to buy now for $299 at Amazon.

More from iMore

• I turned my HiFi system into a very expensive HomePod
• Apple HomePod 2 (2023) review: Ignore the noise, it's brilliant
• Two HomePod minis vs HomePod 2 ultimate showdown: Is true ...

If you own a HomePod, HomePod 2, or HomePod mini now is the time to get your hands on a new software update that Apple believes fixes an issue related to a particularly irritating bug.

That bug causes some HomePods to respond to Siri requests more slowly than would normally be the case. In some instances it would simply refuse to carry out the request fully, something that's sure to be an annoyance for a device that is supposed to be a smart speaker capable of interacting with smart home accessories, set timers, and more.

The new update, version 17.1.1, is now available for download as a free update for all compatible HomePods — which is to say all of them.

Bug, fixed

Apple's release notes, detailed in a support document on its website, don't go into too many specifics about what this new software update has to offer. But they do confirm the bug fix, suggesting that Apple is pretty confident that it was able to get to the bottom of what was going on.

"Software version 17.1.1 addresses an issue where some HomePod speakers could respond slowly or fail to complete requests," the release notes read.

This new update comes not too long after Apple released HomePod software version 17.1, an update that brought with it much more of note. That release added support for the Enhance Dialogue option to the HomePod mini and original HomePod. The feature, when the HomePods are connected to an Apple TV 4K, makes it easier to hear what people are saying in TV shows and movies — a vital addition for those of us who previously found that turning on subtitles was the only way to follow along. It's getting harder and harder to hear what's being said, and this feature goes some way to helping fix that.

Your HomePod should automatically install the new software unless you disabled automatic updates. If that's you, head into the Home app and the update should be available via your HomePod's settings screen.

Love it or loathe it, everyone can pretty much agree that the HomePod 2 sounds great. The HomePod mini sounds brilliant considering its small size, too. And while we can all probably also agree that Siri really lets the side down when it comes to any and all HomePods, I'd posit that it isn't the biggest issue. And it appears that Apple might agree.

While it's fair to say that Siri has its problems and that it's years behind the competition from Google and even Amazon, the HomePods that we have in our house could all benefit from something new. Something that no HomePod has had to date. And something that Apple is reportedly testing right now.

That thing? A proper touchscreen display and a new report claims that Apple is testing exactly that. It just might not be going about it in quite the way that you'd expect it to.

Apple TV and iPad mini to the rescue

So what's Apple got up its sleeve? According to a 9to5Mac report, it's hard at work on some sort of Frankenstein's monster of a device. The report says that there are signs that Apple is testing running a version of tvOS on an iPad mini, all with the aim of then turning that into some sort of HomePod with a display. And I, dear reader, am here for it. Bring it on.

This all comes from the first tvOS 17.2 beta that landed last week, with the report saying that there is code within that update that suggests it can be run on an iPad mini, at least inside Apple.

"Interestingly, by digging into the firmware of tvOS 17.2 – the system that runs on both Apple TV and HomePod – we found strong evidence that Apple is internally running tvOS on the iPad," 9to5Mac reports. It goes on, saying that "every firmware released by Apple includes device support files that specify which devices the software can be installed on. When it comes to tvOS, this includes compatible Apple TV models, as well as HomePods." The interesting part? "For some reason, the latest tvOS builds also have device support files for the iPad mini 6."

There's also support for the iPad mini 6 in the tvOS 17 SDK and Xcode 15, too. All of this appears to confirm that Apple, at least at some point, wanted to make tvOS 17.x run on an iPad mini.

A future HomePod laid bare

The obvious jump from here is that Apple is testing the Apple TV interface on an iPad in order to get it ready for a touch-based interface, as would be required from a HomePod. If that's the case, it's notable that Apple doesn't appear to be going the route of simply using a version of iPadOS instead — it wants a home entertainment feel rather than the familiar iPadOS interface.

Both would likely work, as far as I can see, but the use of tvOS underpinnings would suggest Apple wants the HomePod to be a device people watch content on — otherwise the decision makes little sense.

Personally, I'd just like to be able to see what timers the HomePod is running and perhaps see something saved in Notes, like a recipe. The use of tvOS suggests that might not be an option, but we'll have to wait and see before we can pass judgment on whatever Apple has cooking. I just hope this device will do more than just display videos and probably some Apple Music lyrics.

The main thing? Apple has something cooking. And it smells like a HomePod with a seven-inch or so display attached to it. And that'll do nicely, thank you very much.

More from iMore

• Two HomePod minis vs HomePod 2 ultimate showdown: Is true ...
• Apple HomePod 2 (2023) review: Ignore the noise, it's brilliant
• Sonos Era 300 review: So long HomePod

The Apple HomePod and HomePod mini are among the best smart speakers in terms of audio quality, although there will always be question marks hanging over Siri. But if you just need your speaker to sound great, a HomePod could be for you.

With the new tvOS 17.1 update now available we took a look to see what's new and, interestingly, the big new addition is an expanded support for a feature that makes these speakers better than ever when used with an Apple TV 4K.

If you're using one of Apple's smart speakers with an Apple TV 4K< you're going to want to read on. Because you might now be able to take advantage of a huge feature that wasn't previously available to you.

Enhance Dialogue

The previous HomePod software 17 update added a new feature called Enhance Dialogue, but it was limited to only the second-generation HomePod. However, with the arrival of the software version 17.1 update, that's now been expanded to include the original HomePod and the HomePod mini. That second part means that you could now realistically set up a great pair of stereo HomePod minis and use them with this special feature without spending a small fortune. But what is Enahnce Dialogue? 

When enabled, the Enhance Dialogue feature boosts the audio when people speak on-screen, making it easier to hear them. That's a big improvement in a world where more and more of us find ourselves needing to rewind videos or even turn on subtitles just to understand what is being said.

If you've ever found yourself struggling to make out what people say in TV shows and movies, this might well be the answer that you've been looking for. However, it's worth remembering that you'll need to have the tvOS 17.1 update installed if you want to use the first-generation HomePod or HomePod mini.

Everything else of note

Unfortunately, the HomePod is probably the one product in Apple's lineup that gets smaller feature updates than the Apple TV. That means that the expansion of the Enahnce Dialogue feature is the only new addition in the software version 17.1 update.

That doesn't mean that there aren't some changes under the hood, however. Apple's release notes do make it clear that the update also includes bug fixes and stability improvements, two things that are always welcome in any software update of this nature. Especially when there aren't that many fancy new features to get excited about.

The HomePod and Apple TV might not be brimming with new features this time out, but there are some interesting things to be found if you also happen to own an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch.

There are the iOS 17.1, iPadOS 17.1, macOS 14.1, and tvOS 17.1 updates available and we would suggest installing them as soon as possible to try out new features and their own bug fixes and improvements.

The HomePod 2 looks an awful lot like the HomePod that came before it, only changing the look with a slight refresh to the shape. The price remained the same as well, and it very rarely drops, even throughout deals events, and sales.

That’s changed today — if you head over to B&H Photo, you’ll find a $20 discount off the speaker. That might not sound like much, but given that the smart speaker sticks at its $300 price tag for pretty much the entire year, any kind of discount is a solid one that’s worth looking at.

The rarest of savings

• Speaker deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell

There is only one color with this reduction — the White one, so hopefully you’re good at keeping your room clean. The HomePod 2 is a highly-rated smart speaker — one that we gave 5 stars.

If you’re looking for the best way to start an Apple Home setup then this a good place to begin. You can collect other smart home kit that connects to it, giving you a good base for everything.

HomePod 2 — what about refurbished?

This is going to be the best way to get a HomePod brand new with some money off, but there is another way to save. Refurbished HomePods come with some better discounts, but unless you get one from Apple, you can’t guarantee that’s its been refurbished to the highest standard. In this case, it’s better to err on the side of caution, and grab a new model that you know hasn’t been opened up or ‘fixed’.

Worried about Black Friday as well? While there are going to be some of the best Black Friday Apple deals, we reckon that the HomePod won't be reduced — so you can rest easy with this one.

Apple’s StandBy Mode in iOS 17 was the natural progression towards a dedicated Apple Home device. Now, thanks to a new leak, we can see what a HomePod with a display could look like, and it might not be what you’d expect. 

@kosutamiSan on X revealed images of a rumored HomePod prototype with a touchscreen display that sits on top of the speaker, where you’d find the touch panel on the HomePod and HomePod 2.

Sources close to 9to5Mac have verified the images, known as B720, internally. 9to5Mac says, “This prototype is being actively worked on by Apple, which confirms that we’re talking about a new product and not something that the company has experimented with in the past.” 

The report adds, “Although Apple hasn’t yet decided when (or if) this HomePod will see the light of day, B720 is an advanced-stage prototype, which suggests that it’s something the company plans to introduce in the near future.”

So we could, in fact, see that long-anticipated HomePod with a display after all, but why is the display on top?

Update - October 24: KosutamiSan has since revealed the image in this story was posted as a joke. The original story from October 23 is below. 

Please don’t release this product, Apple — iMore’s take

StandBy on iOS 17 is really cool; it displays widgets and important information at a glance, yet its quirks, like reliance on FaceID, have made me want a dedicated Apple device with a display for my home more than ever before.

A HomePod with a display makes so much sense, you could use it just like StandBy but have one in multiple rooms in your house, like the kitchen or your desk, to get glanceable information when needed. We’ve seen products like this before. The Amazon Echo Show is incredibly popular, but for people in the Apple ecosystem, it doesn’t quite fit the bill, and for those who don’t trust Alexa and Amazon’s privacy policies, it’s an even harder sell.

That said, the HomePod model with a display in these leaked prototype images shows a device that looks identical to the HomePod 2 with a flat display on top, and that just doesn’t seem worthwhile at all. The hope for a HomePod with a display is an angled screen so you can easily see information and interact with the display, not a small circular panel that is realistically only going to be able to show tidbits of information like the Dynamic Island.

Hopefully, Apple is testing multiple prototypes of HomePods with displays, and the company will make the right decision to release the home widget hub we’ve all been waiting for. If this B720 prototype does hit the shelves, it’ll be a hard pass from me.

More from iMore

• Apple HomePod 2 (2023) review: Ignore the noise, it's brilliant
• Two HomePod minis vs HomePod 2 ultimate showdown: Is true ...
• You can buy a refurbished HomePod 2 at Apple right now

The HomePod 2 — that cylinder of room-filling spatial audio that our reviewer Stephen said he “loved” no less than 3 times in the space of as many paragraphs. Now you can get one of Apple’s Siri-centered smart speakers for less from Apple directly, thanks to the Apple Certified Refurbished program.

If you head to the Apple Store in Germany, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, and some other countries, you’ll find the HomePod 2 with around a 15% discount. You can also grab one in the US now, with the product listing live and ready to go.

Apple refurbs

In the UK, the discount is £50, and in the US there's $50 off. Apple refurbs are the way to go if you want an effectively brand new speaker for a little less than you might pay at full price — Apple takes returned products, and then thoroughly tests them to make sure everything works correctly as well as looks perfect cosmetically. Once any problems are fixed, the device makes its way to the Apple Certified Refurbished store.

Given that Apple doesn’t reduce the price of its brand-new products, it’s a great way to get something directly from Apple without having to pay full price.

The HomePod 2

The HomePod 2 is a lovely smart speaker that lacks some of the smarts of the competition. It sounds great, has that signature ‘HomePod’ soft aesthetic, and connecting two of them together gives stellar stereo sound.

Siri could be stronger, with the same complaints about the smart assistant rearing their heads whenever it’s mentioned (speed of response, and being directed to your iPhone for web results for example), but if you’re an Apple Music subscriber then you’ll have no problem with just asking for tunes to be played when you want them.

It's also the Prime Big Deals Days soon, so if you're looking for some of the best early black Friday Apple deals, then you'll want to check these out.

It looks like YouTube Music integration will finally be coming to your Apple HomePod and Apple HomePod Mini, according to code found by @aaronp613 in the YouTube Music app. The downside is, there's no indication of when we'll be getting it.

Apple leaker @aaronp613 tweeted a screenshot of a section of the YouTube Music app's code that is labeled 'connect with homepod', suggesting integration with the Apple HomePod might be on its way to us all soon.

Making YouTube Music your default

Integration of YouTube Music with both Apple's Siri and HomePod is a long time coming. Several music services have been available through the Apple HomePod over the past few years already, like Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, and TuneIn Radio, among others. 

However, even though Apple has granted third-party developers the option to add this sort of native support since iOS 14, you won't find every music service offers slick integration with the Apple HomePod. (We're looking at you, Spotify.) 

The benefit of having a third-party service as an integrated, default option in this way means that whenever you ask Siri to play something it'll play it directly from that service unless you instruct it not to. That's good news for Google and YouTube Music, as it means that it might become the first streaming port of call for more Apple HomePod users over time.

This integration would make sense and be the latest in a string of new developments from YouTube Music that could help the streaming service compete with several of its biggest rivals. For example, earlier in the year, Google brought podcasts to its music streamer, adding a new library of content all helpfully included in one app. In this way, it's offering up a similar all-in-one destination to the most popular streaming, Spotify.

Apple fans in Israel could get a new smart speaker or two to choose from sooner rather than later, according to a new report.

That report suggests that Apple is getting ready to announce the 2nd-gen HomePod and HomePod mini for sale in Israel, with the company having already added Hebrew language support to iOS 16.6's latest Release Candidate update.

In fact, we're also told that some people are already testing the speakers in the country.

Music to more ears

This is according to the Israeli outlet The Verifier, which says that some people are already part of an experimental program and have received a HomePod mini to test Siri support with.

The report suggests that Apple's very latest iOS 16.6 beta includes support for the Hebrew language in Siri and the HomePod.

Apple refreshed the HomePod with the second generation earlier this year while the current HomePod mini is still the only model that has ever been released. The model arrived in 2020 and has gone largely unchanged ever since, although new colors have been added to the mix since.

Apple's HomePods are among some of the best smart home speakers around,  although they aren't without their problems. The main issue is of course Siri and its lack of smarts when compared to some of the competition from Google and Amazon. Apple is reportedly working on new AI tools and we can hope that Apple will improve Siri's capabilities as a result.

Looking to pick up a new Apple smart speaker? Be sure to check out our collection of the best HomePod deals before you place your order. Looking for a simple Bluetooth speaker instead? There are plenty of very popular Bluetooth speakers to be had, too.

Bluetooth speakers have a problem – while there are some that have a little more personality, they are mostly just fabric-covered cylinders or boxes. There's no life, no fun, no... pizazz. The JBL Pulse 5 flies in the face of convention, and while it is 'just another sound-emitting cylinder, it's one that lights up.

At the moment, there's an epic deal over at Amazon as well that sees the speaker reduced by $50 so it's now $199. That's the lowest price we've seen on the party-making speaker, and a great deal if you're looking for something to spice up your gatherings.

Save big on the coolest party speaker

• Speaker deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell

As Prime Day proper rounds the corner on July 11-12, we're already seeing some great deals on some very cool tech. This speaker, for example, is an absolute corker of a deal, saving you $50 off the full price.

The speaker itself is super fun. Instantly, your eye will be caught by the cool lights, but then there's IP67 waterproofing to make sure that you can take the speaker to any kind of party. There's 12 hours of battery life on board, and the signature JBL sound profile to keep the music going.

Of course, we're still hoping for the best Apple Prime Day deals over the next couple of weeks so that we can save money on MacBooks, iPads, and AirPods – but there are going to be loads more deals like this one. Whatever you're looking for, Prime Day is a great time to save on some very cool tech.

While there are some iPhone apps that have proper native HomePod support, not all of them do. And when iOS 17 ships this fall, none of that will matter.

That's because iOS 17 will allow non-HomePod apps to automatically send their audio to any HomePod on the same Wi-Fi network using nothing more than the power of Siri.

What's more, Apple says that developers won't need to do any extra work for this to happen — all apps that already support SiriKit Media will work just fine right out of the gate.

Sounds good

Apple confirmed the news as part of a larger developer session that discussed how apps could be integrated with the HomePod.

According to that video, people will be able to ask their HomePod to play audio from an app on their iPhone using Siri. Assuming the app supports SiriKit, the audio should begin to play via AirPlay automatically.

Apple goes on to say that the HomePod and iPhone do not need to be in close proximity for this new feature to work, but they will need to be on the same Wi-Fi connection at the time of the request. Apple's example has an iPhone on charge in a bedroom while a HomePod in the living room plays audio without issue.

The HomePod is of course one of the best HomeKit speakers around, although there are others. But you'll need a HomePod with Siri support for any of this to work. You'll also need iOS 17 and an iPhone, with Apple's next big software update expected to be released to the public in or around September.

That's also when we expect the iPhone 15 lineup to be announced, too. As for compatible HomePods, we have to assume that the HomePod 2 and HomePod mini will be good to go, while it's likely the original HomePod will also work just fine.

You may not have heard of Naim, unless you’re really into the sound systems in top-of-the-range Bentleys, or you’re a cash-strapped audiophile who looks on with jealousy at its range of hi-fi separates and all-in-one systems.

Naim makes some of the best home audio gear north of a thousand bucks, and the Mu-So is just one of its many expensive, high-end audio devices.

The Mu-So 2nd generation isn’t (quite) at the bottom rung of the Naim lineup, but it’s been out since 2019, so you can’t expect some of the latest features. You can expect all the features you need, though, to go with its sublime audio performance, as well as that unreasonably attractive design that still looks fantastic – even eight years after the first model's release.

Naim Mu-So 2nd generation: Price and availability

Let’s get this out of the way first – the Naim Mu-So second generation is not cheap. Like, at all. It costs $1599/£1149 when you buy it new. For the price you’ll pay in the US, you could get (and I’ve run the maths) five HomePod 2s, a HomePod mini on top of that, and then enough change for one person to go for dinner at Olive Garden. That’s … a lot.

But if you’re looking for the best sound in a wireless speaker, you’re really going to struggle to find it anywhere else. You won’t struggle to find one in stock either, as you can grab one from some easily accessed big box retailers along with dedicated hi-fi stores – B&H Photo stocks the speaker for example.

Naim Mu-So 2nd generation: What I like

To make the high, $1600 price make sense, you have to reconsider what the device is for. This can be part of a multiroom setup, but it’s not supposed to go up against the HomePod 2. Or even other similar specced and priced smart speakers for that matter – this is an all-in-one hi-fi separates replacement, for those that want incredible sound and would usually spend more on having dedicated items for each specific part of a dedicated music listening system; and, perhaps more importantly for them, one that will match up with the home decoration.

When you think about the Mu-So in this way, it makes more sense – and my god is that price easily justified when you look at and touch the thing. It’s a box, yes, but Naim has made sure that it’s almost like a sculptural centerpiece to a room. The main body of the unit is a wooden (like most speakers) construction that's then been smothered with stainless steel, giving it a super classy vibe. The front of the device, where the drivers, tweeters, and subs live, is covered with this wave pattern cloth cover that shimmers in the correct light with a kind of glitter interwoven into its fabric. It looks incredible, for lack of a better word, stunning in its simplicity.

The whole box sits on this massive glass slab that diffuses some white LEDs at the back edge, which makes the whole thing look like it's floating. There’s even a tiny Naim logo engraved into the front of the glass to the left that's lit up with its own LED lights. *chefs kiss*.

Adding to the class is the lovely control dial on the top – it’s a round affair, and it lights up subtly but brightly around the edge to display the volume. That wonderfully diffused light-up section is actually the volume dial – and it’s a joy. It spins around the central control section smoothly and effortlessly and feels great under the fingers. 

The central control section features touch-sensitive buttons that light up when your finger gets close (which will always remain magic, no matter how many other devices do it), and they’re all clear and easy to use. You can play/pause, skip backward and forwards with the main controls, and then there are controls underneath that let you select the sound input – including the HDMI mode.

Because of course, you can use this thing as a soundbar. There’s an HDMI port on the bottom of the speaker that supports eARC, so you can hook it up to a TV and get all the sound pumped through. Bear in mind that there’s no way to hook up a sub, so you won’t get that earth-shattering boom in action movies as you might with a separate subwoofer, but for everything else, it's a great bonus feature.

Connectivity is pretty good all around. There’s AirPlay to transfer music from an Apple device, Bluetooth for those devices that don’t support the latter, Chromecast for Android users, and then a couple of physical ports on the bottom for those that like to hook things up via headphone jack line-ins. That’s a pretty good selection, and all work a charm.

The app is the best way to interact with the speaker, I’ve found. It’s a solid, attractive, and easy-to-use piece of software that lets you log in to all your favorite streaming services and search their libraries together to find something to listen to. It works almost instantly in transferring the music across, and I’ve had no problems with connection over my time with the device. Which is good – because I’ve used it a lot.

I like my hi-fi separates system, and I think it sounds pretty good.  It doesn’t, however, hold a candle to the sound that the Mu-So can pump out. It’s no surprise, to be honest. The Naim Mu-So is built on years of Naim's research into excellent sound equipment, with some wicked internals – there’s no way my paltry 200W system could even make a dent in the 450W output of the Mu-So.

There’s more to it than the size of the number and the Watts on board – there’s a delightful sound signature to the stainless steel behemoth. It’s intonated perfectly, articulate, and detailed like nothing most people have ever heard. But then the mids are wide and fat, with nothing missing and, importantly, nothing too overpowering. The bass is dynamic, powerful, and perfectly balanced – an audiophile with tens of thousands of dollars of machinery could nitpick, but this is the point of audio where the more you spend becomes harder and harder to justify. If you want excellent sound, you needn’t really go beyond the Naim Mu-So.

Getting some of my favorite tracks playing was something of a joy. Devin Townsend’s Heartbreaker layers perfectly, each individual part of the track given just the right amount of breathing space. Devin is in the room, playing with his backing band – just for you. Each pick of a guitar string picked out in pinpoint detail, each swell of the synth strings impactful and massive. There’s true stereo here as well, and it remains more magical than Spatial Audio could ever pull off. There’s a surprising lack of directionality – it still sounds amazing no matter where you are in the room. It’s remarkable.

For something a little more delicate, Synergy’s Legacy is a smooth synth track that shows the depth of the bass – and baby, it goes all. The. Way. Down. There’s a great sub-bass presence and plenty of mid and low-bass kick. The track is wide and spacious with plenty of room for those ’70s string hits to work together – it’s a fantastic experience.

Naim Mu-So 2nd generation: What I didn’t like

So while that price is easy to justify so far, it’s very difficult to ignore. The elephant in the room,is that the $1000+ price-tag refuses to leave you alone. Let's put it like this. If you’re in the market for a speaker that sounds brilliant, looks great, and you’re not bothered about the price, then this is the speaker to go for.

If you find that price a little difficult to swallow but you can still stretch to it, you won’t regret it. Can’t afford the $1600? There are loads of excellent options in your price range. It really is as simple as that. The price isn’t so much a ‘negative’ as an ‘unfortunate but apparently necessary barrier to entry.’

The other two things are incredibly minor. The area where the power lead plugs in is perhaps one of the most inaccessible ports you’ll find this side of Mercury, and plugging the figure-8 lead in was a pain. Once it’s in, it's in and you needn’t unplug for any reason, but getting it there sucks.

Finally, is the controller. It’s fine. It’s well laid out, easy to use, and works well. It looks like a miniature version of the Mu-So itself when viewed from the bottom, but it feels a little too cheap to have come with something that cost $1599. Given you’ll be spending most of your time in the app it’s no great burden, but if you’re given a remote it's nice when it feels a little more premium.

Naim Mu-So 2nd generation: Competition

There really isn’t anything that competes with the Naim Mu-So in its price bracket, but if you’re looking to spend less, then there are some options. There’s the HomePod 2, which doesn’t sound even come close to as good, or the Sonos Era 300, which again is less than a third of the price, but doesn’t touch the sonic capability of the Naim. It’s not even a tricky one to argue – this is the best, but you’ll pay a lot to get it.

Naim Mu-So 2nd generation: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if…

• You need something that’s going to blend in with your modern decor
• You’re absolutely dedicated to finding the best-sounding all-in-one
• You’re a big fan of super intuitive on-device controls

You shouldn’t buy this if…

• You don’t want to spend over $1000 on sound equipment
• You like fancy remote controls, and don’t want to use the app

Naim Mu-So 2nd generation: Verdict

The Naim Mu-So is undeniably the best all-in-one wireless speaker unit out there. It may not be as smart as other options with no voice control, but it more than makes up for it with sumptuous sound – and easily justifies its high price with a premium build, impeccable on-device controls, and a very easy-to-use, and functional app.

Is it the newest? No. But it is still the best.

There’s a certain look to Bluetooth speakers that pervades product pages everywhere. You know the kind of thing: A long beer can covered with fabric, with a couple of buttons placed across the top. Sometimes there’s even a lanyard so that you can strap it to a bag. They all look like this – with a couple of exceptions.

The Harman Kardon Onyx 8 could never be pegged with looking like everything else. Like a weird, flat planet, the large portable Bluetooth speaker becomes a centerpiece of almost any space you put it in, showing up all your other decorations with its otherworldly presence. But does it sound any good?

Harman Kardon Onyx 8: Price and availability

You can pick up a Harman Kardon Onyx 8 for $299/£279, a relatively high price for a Bluetooth speaker of any size. This one happens to be slightly larger, but that price is still a sticking point. Especially when the likes of the UE MegaBoom 2, a similarly sized Bluetooth speaker, is available for $199/£169.

You’ll be able to find one at all the major outlets, including Amazon and the Harman website.

Harman Kardon Onyx 8: What I liked

The speaker looks undeniably interesting: I’d say it looks cool, although its weird flat-planet design is going to be divisive for many. That main planet area houses all the speakers and Bluetooth gubbins, while the circumferential ring doubles as a kind of handle and stands for the oddly shaped speaker. Despite the fact that it doesn’t have loads of contact with whatever surface it’s sat on, it doesn’t feel wobbly, with most of the weight towards the bottom of the device.

Come back around to the main planet area of the speaker, and we’ll take a quick look at what’s inside. Harman Kardon has popped a 120mm woofer in there, and two 20mm tweeters to make for what it calls ‘Superior sound performance’. I’ll be the judge of that, thank you very much.

Yeah, it’s fine. It’s not my favorite kind of tuning, with a massive emphasis on the lower register, but it’s pretty good. If nothing else, it makes the speaker sound very ‘big’, letting it fill a pretty good room. The mids are pleasant and wide, and the top end is certainly present.

Spinning up Dua Lipa’s Hallucinate, and you’ll be bopping along in no time. The synth bass is well-defined, with plenty of low stuff to keep things moving on. Lipa’s vocals are perfectly replicated, and the sound widens as the track progresses.

That's perhaps the biggest strength of the sound - the soundstage is remarkably wide. It’s not to the level of something with dedicated Spatial Audio, or a pair of stereo speakers, but when properly situated it’s got plenty of space to the sound. It couldn’t be called open and airy by any stretch of the imagination - it’s more like being in a sweaty club.

The perfect example of this is Charlotte De Witte’s Doppler which is perhaps the best way to see how the speaker reacts to something truly low. It excels in the upper and mid-bass, pumping out plenty of thump. The Formula car in the intro and throughout the track zooms from one side of the stage to the other, and there’s a surprising presence in the sub-bass that I wasn’t expecting. It’s not big speaker level, but it’s impressive nonetheless.

The speaker charges over a figure 8 socket, which is… weird. There is a USB-C port alongside for connecting up devices and a 3.5mm headphone jack for the same.

Harman Kardon Onyx 8: What I didn’t like

There’s a lot of mid bass, and in some tracks that means the upper mids and the highs can be drowned out. On the note of those highs, they lack a certain amount of detail, and can sound a little washed out. When listening to something that needs more articulation, such as Sylvaine's Nowhere, Still Somewhere, the upper limits of Shepard's vocal lines are lost in a great sea of bass and lower mids. Lead guitars struggle to make an impact as well, and drum cymbals melt into a great mire of mixed cacophonous high parts.

The bass is a particular problem in rock and metal. It emphasizes the bass frequencies in the guitars and the bass, and leads to a boominess that detracts from the experience. It says that it will ‘tune itself to the room it’s in’ but given there seems to be no setup or on/off button to this function, it feels more like marketing language.

Finally, the battery life is sub-par. It takes 5 hours to charge, and it will only last 8 hours when filled with juice. I didn’t even get that – the best I could get from it was 6 hours, and that was listening to jazz at mid-volume. That’s not spectacular, and you can expect that to go down when you crank the volume.

Harman Kardon Onyx 8: Competition

The Soundcore Motion X600 features Spatial Audio, a sleek, retro design, and sounds really, really good for $80 less. It doesn’t have quite the same kick to it like the Onyx 8 and it’s perhaps a little less interesting looking, but it’s still an excellent option over the Onyx. And it's got spatial audio – a rarity in Bluetooth speakers.

Similarly, for $20 less you can get the Denon Home 150, which sounds better. It needs to stay plugged into a wall, but it's also an internet speaker so you can listen to music with AirPlay as well.

Harman Kardon Onyx 8: Should you buy this?

You should buy this if:

• You like trance and dance music
• You love the design
• You want something built really well

You shouldn’t buy this if:

• You don’t like too much bass
• You need good battery life
• You want something under $200

Harman Kardon Onyx 8: Verdict

The Harman Kardon Onyx is not a bad speaker by any stretch of the imagination. It's got incredibly solid bass, an interesting design, and feels well put together. But there are other options out there that might make for better speakers in and around the house, with more battery life and more refined sound signatures.

On a quiet Wednesday (May 17), Amazon announced a slimline version of its Echo Dot speaker, the Pop, which has the same features but an all-new design, alongside a new version of its Echo smart display speaker.

The HomePod 2 is already being besieged on all sides by different smart speakers. There's the recently released Sonos Era 300, an excellent speaker that costs a lot more, the existing Amazon Echo range that has speakers at all price points and sizes, and then other manufacturers, like Denon, with options like the Home 150.

Now, after Amazon's most recent product releases (via Wired), there seem to be even more options out there for users that want a smart speaker, and some take the fight straight to HomePod mini.

There's even one for kids

The Echo Pop is the first of the new speakers, and it looks adorable. It's small, colorful, and there's a little Alexa light on the top to let you know when the pop has received your request.

One of the coolest things is that the Echo Pop is an Eero Router – which means that, if you add it to a network, it will add an extra 1000 square feet of range, making it more than just a little speaker. Of course, it's directly aimed at the HomePod mini, and with Matter support, you'll even be able to add it to a HomeKit setup. Interesting.

There's also a new pair of Amazon Echo Buds, which seem like a compelling option if you're into Alexa and don't like AirPods. They're half the price of the old model, and feature customizable controls and 20-hour battery life. No ANC unfortunately, but it's not a deal breaker at $50.

Then there are the two Echo Show devices; The redesigned Echo Show 5, and the Echo Show 5 Kids. This new Echo Show has a new, larger screen, as well as a new processor that makes it, Amazon says, '20 percent faster.' The Kids' version is more colorful and has the same bigger screen, and it comes with a year's subscription to Kids+. It's space themed too – so if I was to choose, I might actually go with the Kids' version. The Echo Show 5 is $90, and the Kids is $100.

Obviously, the HomePod 2 shouldn't have much to worry about here – but the HomePod mini sure does. Either way, the market diversifying continues to be a good thing, and Matter makes these products more available to an ever-increasing number of users. All of these new speakers will be shipping from May 31.

There are loads of small Bluetooth speakers out there, with some big, established brands offering some great options. One such compact option is the JBL Flip 6, a sound cylinder that for both its size and price packs in some cool features and solid sound quality.

We’ve had some time to get to know the Flip 6, and now we’re going to take a look at what we thought about the speaker and its outdoor listening credentials. Is this one of the best Bluetooth speakers? Let's find out.

JBL Flip 6: Price and availability

The Flip 6 is priced super well – you can pick one up for almost all the major retail outlets for $129/£99. That’s a solid price, and it means that it's one of the cheaper Bluetooth speaker options from one of the bigger, more recognizable brands.

That puts it squarely in the sights of the likes of the Boom 3, a speaker from Logitech’s UE line that costs $149. That’ll be a larger and louder speaker, but you’ll pay slightly more. The JBL remains a very good, slightly lower-cost option.

JBL Flip 6: What I liked

This thing feels dense in my hand. More so than any other speaker at this price that I’ve tried, it feels really solid and really rugged. That goes with the IP67 dust and water resistance, so you’ll be able to drop it in a stream and not worry about it getting broken – although you’ll probably not want to leave it submerged for too long.

It looks nice too, with its fun bass radiators on the side that bounce when you’re listening to music and its almost complete covering in a sound-transparent mesh. It comes in some cool colors to make it even jazzier, like a cool red, a camouflage, or a kind of salmon pink. There are a total of nine colors overall, and you can find them all on the JBL website. The version we have here is black, and rather fetching it is too. I’d call it stealth.

Within that cool-looking exterior lie some pretty impressive internals. There’s enough battery for what JBL says is 12 hours. My testing has given me just under that, at around 10 hours, but I was just above mid-volume so the componentry inside was likely sipping more juice than they might otherwise. You can hook the speaker up to the decent JBL portable app, and then you can connect two or more speakers together with the PartyBoost button on top. I, alas, was not able to test out this feature, so I am unable to comment on its efficacy.

I can, however, comment on how good it sounds – and I’m happy to report that it’s pretty good. Now, I wasn’t expecting world-changing sound here, but I’m pleased enough with the slightly bass-heavy sound profile that the speaker has. That means that outside it will have more punch and presence, and it makes the small speaker feel bigger than it actually is, allowing it to be more flexible than other speakers.

Playing Drum & Bass on the speaker really shows off some of its strengths, and there’s no better than High Contrasts’ Racing green. The track builds perfectly, and the focus on the bass frequencies adds in the vital kick that the track needs. It could be a touch more sparkly to add some more of those tinkling cymbals in, but it’s otherwise a stellar performance.

Switch gears to Kendrick Lamar’s XXX and the Flip 6 continues to impress with all that low-end grunt. The lack of high-end becomes less of a problem now, and the speaker has a great time with the rap track.

Once you’ve listened to your 12 hours of music, you can charge it with the USB C port on the back. That will charge it up in 2 hours 30 minutes– no fast charge, unfortunately, but it doesn’t take that long.

JBL Flip 6: What I didn’t like

While there’s plenty of volume headroom here, you might not want to use it. The higher the volume goes, the more the music becomes distorted, and a little less nice to listen to. Keep it under about 8 o’clock, and you’ll be fine, but it’s annoying that it has to be said. It's no worse than other small, portable speakers.

For some genres, the reliance on the lower register can also be a problem. Jazz becomes overly bassy and loses its detail, and rock and metal can be a little too drowned out in the mix. It’s not awful, but it's noticeable.

Finally, the lanyard on the speaker is good and fun, but it doesn’t feel particularly trustworthy. I’m not sure I’d want to slip it on a loop on my bag, and it takes some of the luster off the rest of the sturdiness of the speaker.

JBL Flip 6: Competition

We’ve reviewed the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore, another rugged outdoors option. It’s a more luxurious option that sounds better, although it's a fair bit more expensive. If you want something that doesn’t go super loud and sounds incredible, then that's a good option, but for price and volume go for this option.

We are still yet to review the UE Boom 3, but it’s a nice speaker that has excellent amounts of volume. It does cost a little more, however.

JBL Flip 6: Should you buy this?

You should buy this if:

• You want a solid speaker for under $100
• You love bassy music
• You want something rugged

You should not buy this…

• You like to max out the volume
• You like more restrained music
• You don’t need a speaker for the outdoors

JBL Flip 6: Verdict

The Flip 6 is an excellent little speaker for the price, with good enough sound quality for most people, and a cool rugged exterior. It’s not perfect, and audiophiles aren't going to be big fans, but it is a great option for almost everyone else.

Apple customers in Denmark can now pick up a HomePod 2 or HomePod mini of their very own, with both smart speakers now available for purchase directly from the Apple Store.

The news comes after Apple released both speakers in Singapore for the first time in April 2023, and continues the slow but steady expansion of Apple's smart speakers.

The HomePod 2 can be picked up for DKK 2,599 while the HomePod mini can be had for DKK 899. Multiple colors are available to choose from with white and space grey offered to HomePod 2 buyers. Those choosing the diminutive HomePod mini can pick from orange, yellow, and blue as well as the classic white and black offerings.

Great sound sounds great

Apple announced the news via a press release on its Danish website (Google Translate), saying that its "speakers are packed with innovative functions and Siri intelligence, which makes it easy to cope with daily tasks and operate intelligent accessories in the home."

"Users can create smart home automations using Siri, get notified when an activated smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is detected in the home, check the temperature and humidity in a room, and use Intercom to send a message throughout the house – all hands free."

The HomePods include support for AirPlay 2 as well as HandOff and you can of course stream music and other audio content from your iPhone, iPad, and Mac right to the speakers with ease. There's also support for Matter built in, meaning that "HomePod and HomePod mini can be connected to and used to control Matter-compatible accessories, as well as act as essential home hubs that allow users to access their smart home accessories when they are away."

Still not convinced that a HomePod or HomePod mini is for you? There are plenty of HomePod alternatives on the market many of which will cost you considerably less than Apple's. 

The HiFi space has been waking up to the smart speaker sector for a little while now, catching up to the umbrella of less-focussed tech companies with some interesting options. Companies that have made solely sound gear have noticed that they can’t ignore the ever-burgeoning space, and are now launching speakers that fit the bill.

The Denon Home 150 is just one such speaker. A smart speaker that can be controlled with Alexa, hooked up with Apple AirPlay, and even connected over Bluetooth. It looks like it will slip perfectly into any decor and style: But let's see if it's worth it.

Denon Home 150: Price and availability

The Denon Home 150 is available for $249/£219. That’s a pretty good price for a smart speaker, especially one that looks, feels, and sounds as good as this one does. It’s occasionally seen price drops below $200 as well, making it an even better value. That puts it a little less expensive than the HomePod 2, but around the same as the Sonos Era 100.

You can grab one from Amazon, or you can head to the Denon store and choose a color: Black (which has more gray on it) Or white (which also has more, albeit lighter, gray on it).

Denon Home 150: What I liked

Funnily enough, I think the touch controls on the top panel of the device are a particular highlight. I love how they illuminate as you bring your finger close, letting you see them when you need them while they blend seamlessly into the piano black top surface when you don’t. Those buttons are useful too, with a play/pause button, a pair of volume keys, and then some connection option buttons above. 

The latter buttons let you cycle through the connection methods, as if the name didn’t tell you enough. The first is AirPlay 2, which works super well, as always, with all your Apple Kit. You won’t be able to command Siri to play music on the speaker directly, but you can direct music to it from a HomePod or your phone. The second is Bluetooth, and there are a couple of ways you can get hooked up.

The first device you use connects up with the button on top, letting you pop into the settings app and get everything working as you normally would with a Bluetooth speaker. Then, once that device is already paired, you can connect other devices with the little Bluetooth button at the back. It's solid and works well with support for numerous Hi-Res streaming options. As with all Bluetooth options, however, no lossless audio.

The final connection button is for the App that you can use to control and set up the speaker, HEOS. Here, you can log into a few of your favorite streaming services and control them all in one place. It works well, but there are a couple of streaming services missing here in my eyes, such as Apple Music or my personal beau, Qobuz. Those that are there work really well in the app, however, and the rest of the app is good. It’s also not to say that they don’t work with the speaker – they’ll still hook up over AirPlay, but you can’t log in through the app.

You can control a couple of extra things from the app, such as the brightness of the touch buttons on top and the EQ of the speaker. It's all super easy, although the EQ controls are a little light on the ground – you can change the amount of treble or the amount of bass. There’s no option to change response through the frequency range, although this is generally only worth having a play with if you know what you’re doing. For most people, it's going to let you dial in the speaker to your preferred listening style.

The app is also how you can get the voice assistant working – in this case, Amazon’s Alexa assistant. It works well enough, and while I’m not a usual user of the non-Apple voice butler, it’s nice to see that it functions perfectly, playing music from Amazon Music and other sources. It’s fine – although Siri support would be nice. This is also where you can set up multiple speakers in a multiroom setup – alas, I didn’t have the chance to try this out, but if it works like the rest of the app, then it’s going to be a solid option.

Once you’re through the app and all the other bits and bobs, we can finally look at what I think is the most important thing – the sound. And yeah, as you might expect from Denon, it’s really good. It’s got plenty of bite in the higher regions of the range, with cymbals and distorted guitars crashing with fury, and there’s some lovely thickness to the midrange too. Bass is good, if a little restrained, although in my eyes, this is more of a good thing than a bad one.

Playing Behemoths Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel, and the speaker has no problems with something as cacophonous and extreme as this track can muster. The bass lightness means there’s no boominess to the track, and the blade-like cymbals are able to cut through the mix to make it sound extra scary and intimidating. Nergal’s growled vocal line is perfectly raw and untamed, and the speaker masterfully works its way into the depths of the noise. 

For something a little lighter, Dave Brubeck’s Take Five ends up center stage. The bass is more than enough to perfectly pick out the double bass, and that detailed top-end makes the sax wickedly smooth. The Drums power along with aplomb – jazz sounds great on the speaker.

Denon Home 150: What I didn’t like

The speaker looks really boring. Don’t get me wrong, it will blend into the background of a room if that’s what you want it to do, but it has no flair. It is the very definition of ‘the smart speaker design’, with a gray mesh covering, in this case, a plastic oblong with some lights on the outside and some drivers on the inside. In a world with the likes of the Sonos Era 300, it would be nice to see something a little more creative.

That lack of bass also means that for hip-hop or drum and bass, the speaker leaves a little to be desired. It’s the sub-bass – it doesn’t seem to go quite far enough down. That means that dance tracks like Biceps Glue have plenty of mid-bass punch, but they lack a certain amount of low-end grunt.

Denon Home 150: Competition

There is some stiff competition for the Denon, and that’s where it loses out a little. There’s the brand new Sonos Era 100, which features a similar design, excellent sound quality, and newer features for a similar price. That comes more down to which speaker you like the look of, and whether you’re already invested in the Sonos ecosystem.

There’s also, of course, the HomePod 2. That is going to give you native Siri support, but it’s also going to cost you a whole bundle more than the Denon. It does look at least a little more interesting, however.

There’s also the Amazon Echo line of speakers, which come in at loads of price points. Just like the Denon, you’re going to get Alexa support built in, but you won’t get the excellent sonic tuning of the Denon speaker.

Denon Home 150: Should you buy this?

You should buy this if:

• You want a great-sounding smart speaker
• You want something that's going to blend into your home deco
• You like illuminated touch controls

You shouldn’t buy this if:

• You like bassy music
• You want something that looks different
• You want to use Siri natively

Denon Home 150: Verdict

The Denon Home 150 is a very solid wireless, smart speaker. If you choose it over its competitors, you’ll get a great speaker, albeit one that’s not quite as attractive as others out there.

Small, outdoorsy speakers are available in their multitudes, with loads of options from established audio brands. Not many of them, however, boast being super premium to go with their rugged outers – until luxury audio brand Bang & Olufsen got in on the action.

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore is a gorgeous-looking little coffee cup of a speaker, built like a velvet-lined tank and dripping with style. It’s also designed from the ground up to be durable and ready for getting out and about, and is surprisingly well-priced for such a decently appointed speaker from a widely known maker of high-end audio gear.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore: Price and availability

With its aluminum-clad outer and toughened top and bottom to go with the Bang & Olufsen logo across the front, you’d think that the Beosound Explore would be really expensive. You’ll be surprised, however, when you find out that it’s $199/£169 instead.

That's not a cheap price, per se, but it’s a lot better than it could be. And given the impressive volume that this little guy pumps out, it more than hangs out with the likes of the Marshall Stanmore or the UE Megaboom 3. The price then is more reasonable than you might first expect.

You can get a hold of one from all good retail outlets, including the Bang & Olufsen website itself. There are five different colors available, including Navy, a gray called ‘Gray Mist’, Green, Chesnut, and Black Anthracite.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore: What I liked

I’m used to Bang & Olufsen feeling really well made, with loads of metal everywhere and other premium materials used all over the place. The Beosound Explore takes it one step further – it is dense. It looks kind of like a musical coffee cup, clad in strips of aluminum around the edge and soft-touch rubbery plastic across the top. There’s a premium feeling strap on the back as well, which is actually one of the coolest features of the speaker.

With that strap, you can attach a carabiner that comes in the box (A kind of heavy-duty clip), and use that to clip your speaker to your bag, a tree branch, or a tent roof, etc. You get the picture. While heavy for its size, it’s still relatively lightweight, so you’re unlikely to notice it hanging from your bag on a hike. It's a lovely extra feature, and it makes it just that bit more functional and portable than it could have otherwise been. To add to that rugged cool factor, there’s IP67 dust and water resistance, so you won’t have to worry about the speaker getting wet, and accidental dunks in lakes or streams won’t be a problem.

The controls on the top work super well, with a power button, a play/pause button, skip forward and back buttons, and a Bluetooth connection button. They all have positive feedback under your fingers, and they are well-placed and easy to press with gloves on.

Battery life is particularly strong, with up to 27 hours of battery life on a single charge. It’s currently lasted me through two full 8-hour workdays at about mid-volume, so I have no doubts that it’ll last plenty of time out in the wilderness. Charging is achieved with a USB C port on the back, and it will charge in two hours. No fast charging here, unfortunately.

If you want to see the battery life indicator in more than just a colored light, then you’ll want the excellent Bang & Olufsen app. It’s a pretty affair with all the options on board that you might need, and you’ll even be able to connect two together for stereo sound. You can change the sound profile of the speaker within the app as well, with presets as well as a nice graphical equalizer – although, from my experience, you’ll neither need nor want to.

The Beosound Explore sounds really, really good. Not perfect, but still very solid, especially for something so small. There’s 360-degree sound here, so no matter where you are in relation to the speaker, it’s going to sound the same as what everyone else can hear. It is somewhat directional in that you’ll know where the speaker is when music is playing, but Spatial Audio is reserved for more expensive and larger options.

The sound is actually fairly restrained. There’s some great mid-range girth, making the music sound nice and well-rounded, and the high-end detail is good without being tiring or fatiguing. It could perhaps do with a spacier bass response – what’s there is good, but it could do with a little more in the lowest frequencies.

It’s exemplary when listening to something like Alfa Mists Breathe, bringing just the right amount of kick and punch to the smooth jazz track, effortlessly reproducing the vocal line and the sax. It’s a great listen and one that you’ll love when you’ve got the speaker in its natural environment – the great outdoors.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore: What I didn’t like

There’s not much not to like here, in complete honesty. It’s not the perfect speaker, but it gets close within each category. The sound is good, the battery life is excellent, it looks stunning, and it's super durable. It would be nice to have more hi-res track options available, such as LDAC, but it's small enough that you’re not really going to notice any difference in sound quality.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore: Competition

There are some other great options out there for the price, but they all have slightly different pros and cons. The Soundcore Motion Boom Plus is a monster of an outdoor speaker that goes unreasonably loud and costs less, but it is massive, so if you’re after something smaller, then the B&O takes the cake.

The JBL Flip 6 is another good option, although it's less sonically refined and doesn’t feel quite as premium. The B&O does cost more, however. The UE Boom is another good option that costs less but also doesn’t sound as good.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore: Verdict

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore is a great portable speaker which looks the part and sounds fantastic. If you pay the $200 entry fee, you’ll find a great little speaker under the aluminum shell. There are other options out there that offer perhaps slightly lower prices, but none of them sound or look as good as the Beosound Explore.

There are loads of Bluetooth speakers to choose from out there, each emulating the last, iterating on it in small ways. Sometimes that’s a new shape, a new speaker and driver setup, and sometimes it’s more features on board. In the case of the new Motion X600 from SoundCore, it's a very cool extra feature: Spatial Audio.

But does it work? As someone only recently brought into the Spatial Audio fold, does it impress me? Well, with some impressive built quality and stellar sound tuning, it might just have become a favorite of mine.

Soundcore Motion X600: Price and availability

The Soundcore Motion X600 is actually still yet to come out, with a release date of May 9, so you won’t have long to wait from the release of this review. You’ll be able to pick one up from all major retailers like Amazon and Bestbuy, as well as grab one from the Soundcore website. In fact, If you pay $1 for a preorder now, you’ll get $50 off the full price when it’s launched.

With that deal, you’ll pay $149 instead of the normal $199 price. At full price, it's not a cheap Bluetooth speaker, but there are a number of reasons why it's well worth the price of admission.

Soundcore Motion X600: What I liked

In hand, the speaker feels really good. It’s weighty, and the handle is made out of a very premium-feeling metal. The grille feels sturdy, and looks great too, giving you a glimpse of the drivers within. The rest of the speaker is made out of plastic, although this doesn’t make it feel cheap by any means, given it's covered in a kind of soft-touch rubber. 

It looks fantastic as well, like a retro radio. There are small details that set it apart, like the little mesh for the upward-firing driver for Spatial Audio. It looks like something from an expensive car stereo, as if it's been pulled from the system of a Bentley or a Rolls Royce. It’s lovely, all in all. Let's put it this way – pay the $200, and you’ll feel like you got a speaker worth $200.

The controls are easy to use, and connecting up is super easy. Press the power button on top to turn it on, connect with your best iPhone in settings, and away you go. There’s a spatial audio button on top to turn the feature on and off, a bass button to reduce the amount of bass being pumped out, a series of play, pause, and skip buttons, and a Bluetooth button you can use to connect a new device. It’s user-friendly to the point of being completely foolproof – you don’t even really need the app to get started.

Using the app doesn’t hurt, however. You can use it to update the firmware of the speaker and change the sound profile. You needn’t really do the latter unless you really know what you’re doing, however – because out of the box, the speaker sounds great.

Without the Spatial Audio turned on, the speaker has a lovely sound, filled with body and depth. It’s a very bassy affair, make no bones about it, but there is impressive control here given the price of the device. If it's too bassy, hit that bass button and you’ll enjoy a slightly more subdued sound profile, but one that's perfect if you don’t want too much ‘boom’ to your sound. For listening outside, it's going to be great.

Get Orville Pecks Legends Never Die going, and have yourself a fantastic time. There’s a lot of get up and go to the speaker, and it makes for a very engaging listen. Peck sounds excited throughout the piece, and Shania Twain gives it her all as the instruments join the party – all replicated well within the Motion X600. The Soundstage could be a little wider, perhaps, but its otherwise a solid listen.

Want more soundstage? The Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio on board is actually really impressive for the size and price of the box. It’s not going to match up to something twice the price like the Sonos Era 300, but it gets pretty close to the HomePod 2. The Weeknds Blinding Lights, a stellar example of well-mixed spatial audio, puts the music all around you, the Motion putting in a stellar effort. It’s not quite as wide as others, but it's very impressive what they’ve managed to achieve with a speaker that looks as directional as this.

Battery life is solid at 12 hours, and you can charge it over USB-C. There’s a line in, a 3.5mm jack port on the back too, so you can forgo Bluetooth altogether. LDAC, Hi-res, and Hi-res audio are supported as well for those higher-quality tracks.

Soundcore Motion X600: What I didn’t like

There’s only really one thing that I didn’t like about the Soundcore Motion X600, and it’s really into nitpicking territory. Support for lossless audio would have been grand, with some kind of wifi connection. Alas, no such luck – only hi-res tracks are supported.

Beyond that? Some more upper mids would be nice, and the highs could be a touch more detailed. As a Bluetooth speaker, however, the Motion X600 is remarkably accomplished, and well worth the asking price. Not one that you should take on long walks in the outdoors, however. This is an indoor or backyard speaker, not a hiking model.

Soundcore Motion X600: Competition

There are plenty of options out there, but not many of them contain Spatial Audio. In fact, there are really only plug-in options if you want something that's properly set up for the standard.

Of course, there’s the HomePod 2, but that is supposed to be plugged in, so you can’t take it from room to room. It edges the Motion X600 slightly on sound quality, but it costs around $150 more as well. And you can’t take it in the garden.

Soundcore Motion X600: Should you buy this?

You should buy this if:

• You want Spatial Audio for less than a HomePod 2
• You want a very high-quality feeling Bluetooth speaker
• You like retro aesthetics

You shouldn’t buy this if:

• You want a smart speaker
• You want to spend less than $150
• You need lossless audio support

Soundcore Motion X600: Verdict

You know what? I’m really impressed with the Soundcore Motion X600. It looks great, feels really solid, and sounds excellent to boot. Spatial Audio is a lovely addition, and it doesn’t take anything away from the speaker at all. A solid product, that's easily one of the best Bluetooth speakers we’ve used.

If you’re looking for an outdoor speaker that goes to ungodly volumes, you might think you have to grab one of those large, upright things that are covered with RGB lights and sound like it's playing music down a tube.

Thankfully, there are other options out there that sound good and are super rugged: Like the Soundcore Motion Boom Plus.

A large speaker with a big handle and an arm strap in the box, the Motion Boom Plus is a massive Bluetooth speaker that keeps the weight down and the sound up. It goes loud, and you know what? It doesn’t sound too bad either.

SoundCore Motion Boom Plus: Price and availability

The Soundcore Motion Boom Plus is available from the Soundcore site, where you’ll pay $179/£169. Sometimes there are discounts as well, so you can save a little bit of cash when you buy one.

You can also get one from most big box retailers, such as Amazon or Best Buy. There may be promos there as well, but the full price will be the same at $179/£169.

Soundcore Motion Boom Plus: What I liked

Let's get one thing out of the way first: I think, for an outdoorsy rugged speaker, it looks fairly restrained. It might not be refined – this is still a monster outdoorsy rugged speaker, but it looks a lot less ‘in your face’ than you might expect. It feels sturdy in all the right places too, with the rubbery buttons making you think it could survive a dip in a stream or a large pond. Maybe not extended periods during some whitewater rapid kayaking, however. So no Lou Reed while you do your extreme sports.

Those rubbery controls work very well, and they’re nice and big so that you can hit them with gloved hands. There are volume controls, a Bluetooth button, another button to control the bass output (which is fun), and then a button that lets you connect two of them together. If you’re mad.

Because this speaker goes LOUD. Like, really loud. The decibel meter on my iPhone went haywire when I tried to find out, and my ears screamed at me to turn it down. Which is rad. It’s loud because there’s some impressive power to the drivers.

There’s a total of 80w of output here, with a pair of 10w tweeters surrounded by two 30w woofers for some seriously impressive volume. It might not be concert big, but it’ll power your party in the woods without any issues at all.

Because this speaker goes LOUD. Like, really loud. The decibel meter on my iPhone went haywire when I tried to find out, and my ears screamed at me to turn it down. Which is rad. It’s loud because there’s some impressive power to the drivers.

There’s a total of 80w of output here, with a pair of 10w tweeters surrounded by two 30w woofers for some seriously impressive volume. It might not be concert big, but it’ll power your party in the woods without any issues at all.

The sound that goes very, very loud is also pretty good. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not HiFi quality, but it’s big, beefy, with plenty of punch across the range. Don’t expect delicacy here, but you’ll easily have a great time pumping out Lil’ Nas X’s Industry Baby at full whack. It’s got detail where it counts, and bass for days.

Pressing that bass button does make it a better listen for the home as well, making it perfect for listening both home and away. It won’t replace your Soundbar, but it’s great for when you want to listen to some songs in your bedroom, when you’re at barbeques, or even when you’re in the outback.

Battery life is good at 20 hours, although that will drop if you plan on maxing the volume all the time. You can use that battery to charge your phone as well, which is helpful for when you don’t have a plug nearby. There’s a line-in socket too, so you don’t even have to use Bluetooth. These are all locked behind a very thick rubber door, giving the speaker IP67 water resistance, so no need to worry about it falling into the pool.

Soundcore Motion Boom Plus: What I didn’t like

There’s really not much – if you’re after one of these, then you know what you’re looking for. The only thing I would say is that it’s a little bit plasticky, with materials that don’t feel the most premium. Not that you’re going to be bothered while you’re blasting your favorite tunes in the wilderness.

It is light, but I’m still not sure I would like to walk any super long distances with it. You’ll feel it soon enough. Although, again, if you want something this big, it’s unlikely you’ll find anything lighter that sounds as good or goes as loud.

Soundcore Motion Boom Plus: Competition

Something this big that you can take out and about? Absolutely nothing comes close. There’s the Treblab HD Max that we’ve tested which is cheaper, but it's actually heavier and doesn’t sound anywhere near as good. It’s also not even remotely as loud.

Soundcore Motion Boom Plus: Should you buy this?

You should buy this if:

• You want the loudest speaker for under $200
• You want something super rugged
• You plan on going out and about with your Bluetooth speaker

You Shouldn’t buy this if:

• You want the best, at home sound quality
• You want premium build quality

Soundcore Motion Boom Plus: Verdict

The Soundcore Motion Boom Plus is a surprising speaker. It goes very loud, yet does so without sacrificing sound quality or battery life. It’s a great speaker, and if you want something to take on your next camping trip, you’ve found it.

Apple doesn't make a portable speaker to go with its very un-portable HomePod. But if it made one like the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 it'd instantly be the best portable Bluetooth speaker yet.

That's because the Beosound A5 just looks gorgeous with its two color options. There's a black anthracite aluminum version with a dark oak wood speaker cover that looks absolutely stunning. Then there's the natural aluminum version with a woven paper fiber front. They both look good, although we know which our fave is.

The Beosound A5 doesn't just look good, though. It has the features to back it up.

Sounds good to us

Those features of course start with support for AirPlay 2, which is always a good jumping-off point. Then there's also support for Chromecast and Spotify Connect. You probably wouldn't get that if this had an Apple logo on it, though.

In terms of innards, there's a 5.25-inch woofer and a pair of 2-inch midrange speakers. An additional three-quarter-inch tweeter handles the highs. But really, we're only here for those looks.

"Beosound A5 is our new high-end portable speaker which combines Bang & Olufsen's long-standing approach to timeless design with our vision on sound for the future", says VP of Product Marketing, Michael Henriksson via press release. "We're excited to collaborate with GamFratesi for the first time, to create two speaker designs that are rooted in a Scandinavian aesthetic with a distinct design signature on their own".

That Scandinavian aesthetic doesn't come cheap, though. There's some very Apple-like pricing going on with the dark wood version available for $1,149 and the cheaper Nordic weave setting buyers back $1,049. Neither is what we'd call cheap but oh boy just look at them.

It's surely only a matter of time before Apple launches something like this under the HomePod name. And let's just hope it looks something like this one.

At this point, Smart speakers are a dime a dozen. Everyone makes one, like the Apple HomePod, Bose’s creatively named Smart Speaker, and many, many more. Alas, all these speakers tend to look the same, sporting a similar tube-shaped design that sits on a shelf, bookcase, or desk and looks like a beercan covered with sonically transparent mesh.

The new Sonos Era 100 looks just like those other options, but thankfully, its bigger and more interesting stable mate looks quite different. From its sleek curves and weird, almost fallen-over hourglass-looking shape, the Sonos Era 300 instantly seems like it has been designed to be more than just a speaker that sits on the shelf. It’s a centerpiece, a piece of design to be admired rather than be tucked away with some books, only present to make music.

There is more to a speaker than its looks, however, and the Sonos looks to shake things up with some very, very nice extra features. I was assured by a Sonos engineer, in fact, that it would cure me of my distaste for Spatial Audio, through goodness only knows how many different bits of sonic wizardry. Was he right, though? Am I converted, and does the Sonos Era 300 stand as the new standard for Spatial Audio?

Sonos Era 300: Price and availability

The Sonos Era 300 is not a cheap smart speaker. You can get one in white or black for $449/£449 which, for those with a keen eye and a good memory, is about $150 more than the HomePod 2. For the money, you are absolutely getting a better, more rounded product, but it’s a tall ask.

In terms of where you’ll find one, they are available almost everywhere. You can go straight to Sonos and get one from the Sonos website, or you can hop over to Amazon and grab one from there. 

Sonos Era 300: What I liked

Out of its very complicated, slightly over-engineered but otherwise super satisfying box, the Sonos Era 300 immediately impresses with some stellar build quality and fab looks. It’s got a kind of modern art piece vibe to it, with its more organic shape and curves. I really, really like the way that it looks, and I can see it having a place on my shelf for some time to come, beyond it being a smart speaker.

Setting it up was super easy as well. I plugged it into the wall, opened up the Sonos app, created my account, added a few of my streaming services of choice, and got started. The speaker needed a quick update, but then it was pretty much good to go – apart from one new vital step that the speaker told me I need to take.

There’s a feature onboard called Trueplay, which does some very clever sound and room modeling to make sure that the sound you’re going to get is the best it can possibly be for the space that it’s in. It prompted me to choose between two options – a quick one, and a more detailed one that would take a little longer. I tested both. The first one does a very quick pan around with some loud rumbling and sci-fi laser-gun noises that your phone picks up so that it can get a rough idea of what your room looks like. It worked well, and the speaker sounded very good.

Once I had the speaker in its forever home, I finalized the process with the more detailed ‘Advanced Tuning’ Trueplay measure. For this, I had to hold my iPhone 14 Pro upside down, so that the mics were facing out, and wander around the room, waving my iPhone around like a madwoman. The same rumblings and laser gun pew-pews were played, and for 45 seconds my speaker measured my room and decided how best to distribute the sound according to the shape of the space it was within.

After a quick confirmation that it's all set up and a chance to let my arm take a rest, we can finally get to the bread and butter of the matter – some music. There are a number of input options to get started. There are the streaming services that I added, which can now be browsed in the Sonos App, letting you choose music from your library and search through them all together. There’s also AirPlay 2 on board so that you can send audio from loads of different apps over, like YouTube, along with a physical USB-C port so that you can hook up a device over a line-in connection. Last, and by no means least, is a little button (it really is tiny) that you can press and hold to connect a device over Bluetooth, adding two useful connection methods over the HomePod 2.

I elected to use the app to start with so that I could get a good idea of how the speaker sounded with my favorite tracks. I’d already got a taste of some of the sound when it was rumbling and pew-pewing at me, but I was unprepared for what the speaker was about to spit out at me. I expected something a little richer than most of my gear, but I wasn’t expecting it to be as tight, controlled, and detailed as it was.

I avoided Spatial Audio at first, just to make sure I could get an uncolored idea of what the speaker sounded like. Playing Pink Floyds Comfortably Numb showed me everything I need to know within a couple of seconds of Water’s vocal line. There’s a clarity to the top end to go with the expanded lower register that wows and punches above its weight class, the relative small size of the speaker somehow pumping out some varied and dynamic performances. Gilmour's guitar soars above, crashing in a great crescendo through the solo and into the bridge. Eyes and mouth aghast, I moved on to something else.

Handels Messiah, Part 1 next for some classical music to really test the Era’s mettle. Tested it may have been, but it didn’t break a sweat. The strings are punchy, with plenty of mid-range grunt to give them depth and weight. The highs continue to impress with detail and clarity, the violin flourishing with aplomb. No.2 starts up, and the vocal line cuts in above the orchestra, the Tenor perfectly replicated in stunning detail. The performance of the Era is astounding the whole way through, with great soundstage and sonic imaging. It’s a great experience.

Finally, the last track played without Spatial Audio was something a little heavier. Akercocke’s Leviathon may not have been recorded with high-quality sound, but it's a great test of the boominess of the bass within a speaker. No such boominess here, with tight and well-formed bass throughout. The kick drum has perfect impact, and the distorted guitars are expertly formed with depth and crunch in spades. The Era 300, so far has had little to no problem with almost everything that I’ve thrown at it, in fact, and the usually very tricky lo-fi black metal is every bit as atmospheric, scary, and unapproachable as it should be.

Spatial Audio, however, has long been a bugbear of mine. I’ve never been a big fan of the way that it sounds, as I’ve long felt it thins out the track and the mix unnecessarily so that it can create the illusion of surround sound without actually being all around you. I’ve, personally, always preferred the more ‘holographic’ effect that one gets from a decent pair of well-oriented stereo speakers connected to a high-quality signal rather than the over-processed monstrosity that streaming services have been pumping out for the last few years, in the hopes that eventually, you’ll only need one speaker in a room.

Well, it looks like Sonos has cracked it.

The Era 300 presents some excellent Spatial Audio, making the sound feel like it's coming from all around you, without cutting out the lower mids and bass. I am impressed.

I tried it out with some pop music – Rina Sawayama’s Hold the Girl. The opening bar of the track has a motorcycle fly past, revving as it goes – and the Era 300 makes for a convincing flyby. The bass line jumps around the room, and the strange, otherworldly vocalizations feel like they’re coming from around you. I enjoy it, as much as it hurts to admit; not to the point that this is how I want to listen to all my music, but enough that I will likely dabble from time to time. It’s good.

Beyond the sound quality, there are some great extra features on board. You can set an alarm, and use any of the tracks from your streaming platforms to wake you up. You can control the speaker through a range of voice assistants, like the solid Sonos assistant, Alexa, or Siri through the medium of another HomePod nearby. That’s not perfect for Apple users, but it works well enough. Don’t want the mics listening to your every word? Turn them off with the hardware mic switch on the back.

Controlling the Era’s volume, skipping and pausing tracks, and getting activating the voice assistant can all be done vocally, obviously, but there are also comprehensive controls on the top surface of the device. There’s a long, inlaid volume slider, a pause, and skip backward and forwards buttons to go with a voice button.

AirPlay 2 works well, although it won’t support Spatial Audio, unfortunately – in my case, that means I won’t be able to listen to Apple Music Classical Atmos library, instead using the standard Apple Music versions through the Sonos app.

Sonos Era 300: What I didn’t like

That’s where my only real problem with the speaker is – its reliance on the less-than-stellar Sonos app. In terms of setting the speaker up, getting things working, and changing settings, it's not that bad. It’s well set up, fast to react under the finger, and nice to look at. The problem arises when you want to browse around the app and find the music you want to listen to, especially if it's Spatial Audio you’re after.

See, you can only (as far as I’ve been able to test, anyway) access Spatial Audio tracks from the Sonos app, in the library section. The only way you’ll know its Spatial Audio is once you’re playing it, and you can hear it and see the little ‘Dolby Atmos’ logo on the now-playing screen. Browsing the library is a chore. There is a search function that searches through all your services together, but it can be tricky to find exactly what you’re looking for, and the discover pages in the respective service libraries are useless at best. You’ll find what you’re looking for eventually, but it's annoying enough to not want to use it. Thankfully, if you’re not looking for Spatial Audio, you’ll be fine – just use your streaming app of choice, and get the music on the Era through AirPlay.

Some also might find the sound a little too warm – it’s anything but analytical. There is an emphasis on the lower register here, and while it makes the speaker a lot more fun, it may annoy some who want something more restrained. I love it – it’s done so much better than the bass response on the HomePod 2, but it remains to be said that there’s a lot of bass here.

Finally, we have to talk about that price. It is more than the HomePod 2, but it sounds far better and (I think) looks more interesting too. That doesn’t stop $450 from being a lot of money, but in my eyes, it's well worth the price. It’s not even the most expensive smart speaker out there, or the most expensive Sonos speaker that you can buy. If you want to buy two for the ultimate Sonos audio experience, however, you’ll end up paying $100 shy of a grand, which really is a lot of money. It won’t stop you from wanting to try out a stereo pair – I’d personally love to see how it sounds compared to a high-end stereo.

Sonos Era 300: Competition

The biggest competition for the Sonos Era 300 is the HomePod 2. The Era 300, however, even though it's $150 more, offers a far, far more accomplished experience. There’s better sound quality on offer, more sound inputs on the back, Bluetooth connection, and a better-looking speaker. It’s bigger, yes, but that’s perhaps where some of that sonic proficiency comes from.

Beyond the Homepod, there are plenty of other options. There are smart speakers from the likes of Bose, Denon, and others – but those all look very similar. They often come in at lower prices, however. If you’re really into Amazon’s Alexa system, there’s the Echo Studio, which sounds good and costs less, but also doesn’t have a handy mic-off switch on the back.

Sonos Era 300: Verdict

The Sonos Era 300 wows in so many ways. Its looks, its sound quality, its spatial audio performance, and its extra inputs all make it one of the best things I’ve tested so far this year. I love it for its strengths and forgive it for its small shortcomings because it sounds and looks so good. 

Spend $450 and you’ll get the best smart speaker, blow by blow, for the money. The whole package.

Back in January, Apple announced a new Sound Recognition feature alongside the launch of the HomePod 2. The feature lets your HomePod listen out for your home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and alert your iPhone via the Home app. It's a really nice addition to Apple's smart speaker that helps with knowing what's happening at home when you're out and about.

The feature uses the always-on microphone in your HomePod, HomePod 2, or HomePod mini, so you don't have to buy a fancy HomeKit smoke alarm. Now, Sound Recognition is finally available, and it's worth trying. Here's how.

Disclaimer: Apple's HomePod cannot be used as a smoke detector. This feature enables your HomePod to listen out for the sound of existing detectors in your home, and will only alert you if it hears an existing alarm. 

How to enable HomePod Sound Recognition

1. Open the Home app
2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner
3. Tap Home Settings
4. Choose Safety & Security
5. Turn Sound Recognition on

You'll need the latest update for your HomePod and your Home app with the latest architecture, so make sure everything is up to date; otherwise, the option will be greyed out.

It's straightforward to set up and a fantastic new free feature to add to your HomePod to make it an even better smart home device. 

Make your home smarter

The Sound Recognition feature is a welcome addition to the HomePod lineup. It gives users added smart home functionality without purchasing one of the best HomeKit smoke and CO detectors. 

If you're ever worried that the fire engine speeding past is heading toward your apartment block, then worry no more, as HomePod's new feature will notify everyone in your household if a noise is detected. Hopefully, this is the start of further HomePod updates that can make devices more useful without looking for more HomeKit accessories. 

If you want to make your smart home more HomeKit enabled or use it with Matter, we have a host of buying guides to help deck out your home, including our best HomeKit light bulbs alongside our best HomeKit accessories buying guide. 

Owners of the HomePod and HomePod mini can now have their smart speaker alert them if it hears an alarm, like a smoke or carbon dioxide detector.

The new feature, which was announced alongside the HomePod 2 in January 2023, is now finally available after Apple enabled the feature. You'll find the option to enable alarm alerts inside the Home app and that's where the alerts will take you when you receive them as well.

Thankfully, this change doesn't require that anyone buys any new hardware and is available on all existing models.

Sound it out

The new addition was first reported by TechCrunch and is designed to warn people if the HomePod hears an alarm even when they aren't at home. That alarm could be a smoke or carbon dioxide sensor as mentioned, both of which you're likely to want to know about even if you aren't around.

What's more, anyone who has a HomeKit camera configured in the Home app will also be shown the feed when they receive an alert on their iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. We'd always suggest using a HomeKit Secure Video camera where possible as well, partly because of this feature but also because you get to use the Home app when viewing recorded clips later.

Apple says that all of the information gathered and used for this new sound detection feature is handled on-device, so it doesn't know what's going on inside your home.

Right now it appears that Apple only allows the HomePod to alert people when it hears an alarm, but it's possible that it could be configured to send alerts when other things are heard as well. That could include breaking glass, for example, or a dog barking. Apple hasn't suggested that any of those features are coming, but with WWDC23 just around the corner it's still possible.

 Apple's HomePod is a masterpiece of audio engineering and my absolute favorite smart speaker. I love its design, AirPlay, HandOff, and incredible audio performance. 

However, did you know aside from audio like music and podcasts, you can also use your HomePod to fill a space with ambient background noise from the ocean, a forest, or even just pure white noise?

Apple first added Ambient Sounds to the HomePod a few years ago. Essentially, your HomePod can accept commands to play a total of seven different ambient sounds. It's a feature that very few people know about despite it having existed for years. With the HomePod 2, Apple remastered those soundscapes, making them sound better than ever.

Break the silence

Not everyone wants to listen to music or podcasts all the time – I know I certainly don’t. 'Sitting or working silence, however, can feel really strange. Of course, there are ambient sounds galore across the web, but being able to simply ask Siri for the sounds of the forest on my HomePod is delightfully convenient, and it sounds fantastic! 

Of course, ambient sounds can also be tremendously helpful when you’re trying to get to sleep. What’s more, ambient background noise can sometimes help to mask unwanted background and environmental noise when you’re trying to drift off.

A 2021 study found that “white noise significantly improved sleep based on subjective and objective measurements in subjects complaining of difficulty sleeping due to high levels of environmental noise.” A similar 2017 study revealed white noise was particularly effective in reducing sleep onset latency (how long it takes you to fall asleep). 

 To be honest, whether white noise or any other background sound helps with sleep is likely a very subjective matter, but if you are someone who struggles to sleep, then this HomePod feature could certainly be worth your time.

As noted, there’s a white noise option (which I personally find to be a bit jarring), but also a few other notable choices.

Wake by the ocean

My two favorites are the ocean sounds and the fireplace, the former is very relaxing, and the latter is a wonderfully cozy crackling for anyone who misses the warmth of an open fire.

Forest sounds and night sounds are also very well put together and interesting, however, I don’t think these ones would personally help put me to sleep (although they might help David Attenborough). A dark horse for sleep aid is the rain sounds, although living in Scotland I don’t have much use for this given it’s nearly always raining anyway.

The only awkward one I found is the stream sound. Others might disagree, but personally, I think it just sounds like someone using the toilet.

 To use these sounds, you simply have to say the magic words - “Hey Siri” - and then “play”: 

• "Hey Siri — play white noise."
• "Hey Siri — play ocean sounds."
• "Hey Siri — play fireplace."
• "Hey Siri — play night sounds."
• "Hey Siri — play forest sounds."
• "Hey Siri — play stream sounds."
• "Hey Siri — play rain sounds."

Once you’ve started off an ambient sound, you can then ask Siri to start a sleep timer that will stop the sound from playing after an allotted period. That can be several hours if you want the sound to run all night, or a few minutes if you just want the sound to help you drift off. 

These work on all models of HomePod, and we have a full guide on how to play ambient sleep sounds on your HomePod or HomePod mini. 

Apple may be considering equipping future HomePod smart speakers with cameras — but not for the reasons you may initially think.

Patent application 1619991 has been granted by the United States Patent Office, and describes a next-gen HomePod-like product that controls smart home devices and accepts voice command input, presumably to the Siri assistant. However, rather than the camera being used for video calling over FaceTime or for in-the-home security purposes, it’s instead being proposed as a Face ID system to better recognize which individual in a room is making a request of the HomePod — as well as what connected devices require the speaker’s attention.

Alongside voice recognition, the patent describes how a user could look at the speaker, and then make a more generalized voice command like “turn on that light”, with the camera being able to identify which light needs activating by following a user’s gaze. This would help solve a pain point of smart home control, where it’s often necessary to remember a device’s exact name to get a voice assistant to make it do what you want. The system is also intended to be smart enough to recognize what a user could be looking at, should they be turned away from the camera.

Making the smart home simpler

It’s not the only trick in the patent’s arsenal. Face ID could pair with voice recognition to better understand which specific user is making the request, and respond with personalized names — and could presumably begin to learn which requests that user regularly makes and anticipate them.

For this to work, Face ID would have to advance quite significantly. Currently, Face ID is limited to a close-range depth-sensing ability, making it best suited to mobile devices like the best iPhones or iPad Pro devices. The patent states that a user would still need to set up Face ID on a personal device before transferring the recognition data to the speaker, likely to avoid privacy concerns for others passing through the vicinity of the camera’s range.

The patent also goes on to describe how a light array on the HomePod could be used to communicate whether or not a command could be understood, as well as how auxiliary devices like an Apple Watch Series 9 could get involved with smart home controls — specifically suggesting using long presses on an Apple Watch screen to change the brightness of HomeKit lightbulbs.

It’s an intriguing use of cameras in a smart speaker, one that would go beyond what’s been tried before from the likes of Amazon’s Echo lineup or Google Home smart displays. And while this patent doesn’t explicitly mention the involvement of a screen for video calls and security, it’s hard to imagine Apple putting this together for a potential product without including those features too. Given the number of rumors surrounding a HomePod with a screen being in the works, this would all tie nicely together.

However, as with all patent applications, this isn’t necessarily an indication of a product in active development. Instead, see it as Apple looking to protect some very promising ideas for the future — stuff we’d love to see in any eventual HomePod 3.

Spotify has had disagreements with Apple for a while now. The company has been critical of Apple's approach toward apps. Spotify even maintains a public tab of all the Apple decisions that have been unfair towards the company. Apple had even launched the HomePod without Spotify support.

While Apple has since then added support for Spotify on the HomePod, the app still doesn't work on it. That's because Spotify is yet to add support for HomePod, and it doesn't have plans to do it anytime soon, either, according to the company's statement to Mark Gurman. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman also revealed that Spotify plans to add AirPlay 2 support eventually.

Spotify not too keen on Apple ecosystem support

Spotify apparently doesn't think of HomePod support as all that important, citinga lack of interest from users. Gurman reported, "Spotify says this isn’t a big deal. When I asked the company about the issue, it said there hasn’t been a “significant volume” of complaints about the lack of HomePod support. They claim there are only 18 comments on Reddit and 138 tweets about the issue. I think that misses the point, though. (And for what it’s worth, there’s a complaint on Spotify’s forums about HomePod support that has 5,800 likes.)"

Given how Spotify is one of the most popular apps on iPhone, it seems like a miss to leave out HomePod support. It doesn't seem to be racing to support the newer AirPlay 2, promising support while being very vague about the timeline. 

Spotify said in a statement, "Spotify remains committed to supporting AirPlay 2 at some point in the future. We’re on a path towards making it happen eventually, but we cannot state when that will be at this stage."

So it seems like Spotify won't come to HomePod anytime soon, but you can still enjoy it on the best Bluetooth speakers out there, or switch to Apple Music.

I have a HomePod. In fact, I have two HomePods. A first-generation HomePod that I got from eBay for around $100, and a HomePod Mini that I use in the kitchen for timers and stuff. The HomePod range is something that I think could be very cool. The ability to ask my speaker to play almost any kind of music I like? Wicked. Start timers while I’ve got my hands covered with cake mix? Brilliant. 

The issue is that I simply don’t like the way that HomePods sound. In order to make them sound bigger than they are, Apple has accentuated the lower frequencies, making them sound boomy, and in some cases, obnoxious. I love audio, and I want my audio equipment to be top-class – and to my ears, the HomePod simply isn’t. Sorry, Stephen and your HomePod 2 review, so full of praise – I simply cannot agree.

So when I was sent an email about a little box that plugs into my actual HiFi with proper RCA audio connections (and not just a 3.5mm connection), and provides support for AirPlay and apparently, Siri, I went a little barmy. That I might be able to listen to all my favorite music over the internet when I can’t be bothered to spin a record or pull out a CD, and not have to pay for one of those unbelievably expensive streaming boxes that I’ve been eyeing up since I first saw one? Preposterous.

And to get all that for under $150? Sign. Me. Up.

The streaming box

This is the Wiim Pro, and I love it. It’s about the size of a, I don’t know. A small box. But within that box is a pretty potent DAC, and all the WiFi gubbins that you need to listen to your music over the air. It’s got AirPlay streaming support, so I can add it to Apple's Home app, and there’s support for the highest quality tracks from the likes of Tidal and Qobuz. Unfortunately, my favorite streaming platform Roon doesn’t see the Wiim Pro as a high-quality output, but the other audio apps I use do.

It’s about as plug-and-play as they come. There are all the leads you need in the box, and you just plug in the RCA plugs in the back and then connect to it with the Wiim Pro app on your iPhone. It’s seamless and simple, and I was listening to my tunes in seconds. “This is going to be great,” I thought. “I’ll be able to use my Hifi system like a HomePod,” I thought.

“I’ll be able to use my HiFi system like a HomePod,” I thought.

The HiFi

This is my Hifi system. Compared to the amount you can spend on HiFi, mine is but a drop in the ocean. All in, with second-hand speakers and a turntable, my HiFi system has cost me around £500. That’s around $610 for you guys across the pond, which, while cheap for a HiFi system, is still a lot of money.

It consists of a pair of QAcoustics 2010i speakers, an amp by Onkyo, a Pro-ject turntable, and a technics CD player from the eighties. It’s not the best nor the prettiest HiFi system, but it’s mine, and crucially, it sounds a whole lot better than a HomePod. It also goes louder if that’s important to you. (it is to me).

There’s a richer lower frequency response that while not more than the HomePod, is a much nicer listen. The drivers in my speakers have more room to breathe, so the soundstage is more impressive. It’s also actual stereo, rather than software-based, so it’s more balanced as well. It’s flatter in its sound profile, and a lot more dynamic when it needs to be. No, it’s not going to fit on a shelf, but it’s going to make your music sound better than a HomePod could ever muster.

This is what I plugged my Wiim Pro into. This is the HiFi system that I shall make into a HomePod all of my own design. Little did I know that it would be my undoing.

Triumph and defeat

Once everything was plugged in and ready to go, I got started. “Hey Siri, play All Hail the New Flesh on Qobuz,” a command I have barked at both HomePods many a time, only this time hoping for a more dynamic audio experience.

Instead, the HomePod by my bed woke up, and Devin Townsend and Strapping Young Lad burst out. “All Hail the New Fleeeeeeeeeeesh” Devin shouts at me – from the wrong speaker. So I try again. I move the HomePod from my bedside to another room in an effort to try and get Strapping Young Lad to play from my HiFi, and I ask once more: “Hey Siri, Play All Hail the New Flesh On Qobuz.” This time, nothing. So I try my last resort – the manual.

Usually, I am a big manual reader. I find flicking through the pages makes me more excited about the new thing I’ve got, and it also prepares me for things that might go wrong. Not this time, however. I threw the manual out of the way, too excited to play with that which would make my HiFi more connected. I had neglected to read ahead, and I had made of myself, a fool.

See, the Wiim Pro has not added Siri to my speaker system. I can control it through Siri on a HomePod after adding it to Apple Home and giving it a name like ‘Not a HomePod’, but I cannot tell it what to do itself. Instead, I have to speak to a connected HomePod and tell it to play something over the device. A command is now: “Hey Siri, Play all Hail the New Flesh on Qobuz on my bedroom speaker.”

This, of course, is not what I wanted. My HiFi is not a giant, expensive HomePod at all, but an Apple Home-connected speaker.

It’s not a problem, however

At first, I thought it was. This is not the seamless integration I wanted. I can’t ask Siri to play a song directly from my HiFi, and eliminate the need for a HomePod to be near me when I want to listen to music. What I wanted is not what I got, but now that I’ve had a chance to play around a little more with what I do have, I’ve come to really not mind.

The device at the center of it all is just wonderful. It stays on all the time and lets me play music from my devices with a word to my nearby HomePod or a tap on my iPhone screen. The Wiim Pro has excellent audio support, and I have absolutely no gripes with the quality of sound that it pumps into my HiFi. It’s better than the Bluetooth dongle I’d used for years, anyway. 

If you buy multiple, you can hook them up to different sound systems and connect them all to one, unified network in Apple Home. The Wiim Pro is an excellent device, one that does the same job as other devices that cost upwards of a thousand dollars, and it does it for $150. The fact that it doesn't do what I want it to is not the fault of the Wiim Pro – It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem, it’s me.

I was expecting something from the little box that it simply can’t do, and now that I have come to terms with that I love it. I like being able to ask my HomePod to play something on my HiFi, as long as I remember to ask for it on the bedroom speaker. It’s not what I wanted, no, but it’s so, so close.

I think it also highlights that there is still room in the audio space for reasonably affordable Hifi systems. Amps, speakers, turntables, and other components don’t go out of date. My speakers are eleven years old now, and the only reason I’d want to replace them is to get something bigger and louder. Audio equipment lasts far longer than the two or three-year upgrade cycles that tech companies want you to be taking part in. A modular HiFi system can last forever – my Dad’s HiFi speakers from 1985 are still going strong, and even when powered by a raspberry Pi DAC and amp, they still sound excellent.

The fact that I can make my HiFi smarter only makes me love my HiFi system more.

The Wiim Pro is available for $150 from Amazon now.

Apple is said to be delaying plans to make a renewed push into the smart home space in an effort to cut spending across the company, a new report states.

In Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter for Bloomberg, the Apple tipster states that a number of new product projects have “been pushed back until next year at the earliest,” as the company moves to strengthen its finances in a challenging financial environment.

These allegedly include a screen-equipped HomePod product to follow up the HomePod 2, and potentially a faster Apple TV 4K and docking station for iPads — all primed for controlling the HomeKit gear like the best smart lights.

This would be unfortunate timing for Apple, given the current roll-out of the new Matter smart home standard that its competitors in the space are capitalizing on — a new brand-agnostic inter-device smart home communication system that will effectively allow any connected home product that supports it to speak to any other Matter-supporting product. Unlike previous similar attempts to unify the world’s disparate smart home systems, Matter finally seems to have the support of all the major players, and looks to ignite fresh consumer interest in the smart home proposition.

Mo’ money, mo’ problems

Apple is making these cuts in an effort to avoid the layoffs that other tech companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon are having to endure at the moment, with tens of thousands of job cuts hitting the tech sector.

Compared to its Silicon Valley counterparts, Apple was cautious over hiring during the pandemic, an approach that’s served it well in the long term given the inevitable economic downturn that was set to follow the surge in home-working consumer tech interest. Unavoidable world events like the war in Ukraine and spiking interest rates haven’t helped either.

The Cupertino company’s belt-tightening will extend beyond product delays too. Corporate bonuses are to be delayed, travel allowances have been cut, and open roles will not be immediately filled. Budget sign-offs are under more scrutiny than previously according to Gurman, too.

With a war chest still comfortably tipping the scales at $165 billion, it wouldn’t be a great PR look for Apple to push for mass redundancies. So a prudent, slowed approach to launches may be more commonly seen in the near future.

We've only just got the new HomePod 2, but now there are already rumors of a new HomePod. This doesn't look to be a replacement for the aging HomePod mini, however, but a HomePod with a 7-inch screen. 

In news that Tianma will become a large exclusive panel supplier for Apple, the ever-reliable Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple will release a new HomePod with a screen in the first half of 2024. So we're not going to see it any time soon, but we can still get thinking about it.

A HomePod with a screen?

Technically, the HomePod 2 already has a display – it's that cool light show on top that dances when Siri is talking, or it's listening to a voice command. Not a screen as is predicted here, however, with this one being a whole lot bigger and presumably a little more sophisticated.

It's not an unprecedented move, with products like the Google Nest and Amazon's Echo lines both having several bescreened models, but Apple is yet to release something similar. The interesting thing then would be thinking about what the screen would run OS-wise. Would it be something new? A paired-down iOS or iPadOS? A standalone version of the Home App with new features? Amazon and Google's smart speakers with screens are used for things like video calls and video watching, so there could be a camera on board as well. Unfortunately, Kuo doesn't go beyond the screen, so everything at this point is pure conjecture.

Mark Gurman also talked about something similar last year, although he was thinking more along the lines of an all-in-one soundbar-Apple TV device rather than a HomePod with a screen. He then clarified in his Power On newsletter later on in the year that he still believes that a HomePod-Apple TV hybrid with a camera is the way Apple might go.

He does talk a little more about Tianma's further involvement in Apple screen manufacture. Not only will it make screens for this new HomePod, but it looks like it could be, if all goes well with this new HomePod, for the best iPads as well. That could be for the rumored eye-wateringly expensive OLED iPad Pro, although again, Kuo does not detail this. It is evidence of Apple looking to spread into other companies for supply, however, and looking to already established Android manufacturers.

With the release of the first iOS 16.4 beta, Apple has introduced Hebrew voices to Siri for the first time. This is a huge update that is likely to reach all users by April. 

While the HomePod and HomePod mini are not officially sold in Israel, those that purchase the device externally are often disappointed to see that there is no Hebrew support for Siri despite Siri on iPhone fully supporting Hebrew. 

The Verifier recently revealed that Israeli iPhone employees have been part of a closed beta program to help with Hebrew Siri support in the latest HomePod 2 and HomePod mini. With the new information that iOS 16.4 beta 1 includes Hebrew voices for HomePod, it is increasingly likely that Israeli retailers will start selling the smart speaker sooner rather than later.

HomePod finally gets Hebrew support

Siri has had Hebrew support since 2016, and as such Hebrew speakers have been awaiting the inclusion in the HomePod despite the smart speaker’s first release in 2018. The addition of Hebrew support alongside the brand new HomePod 2 release, is a great way for Apple to target a new market that it has previously neglected. 

The HomePod 2 was released earlier this month and we believe it is a huge improvement over the discontinued previous model with better sound, new sensors, and at the same price. 

Our News Editor, Stephen Warwick said in our HomePod review, "I absolutely love the new HomePod. It’s a triumph. I still can’t believe how Apple has managed to pull off the audio improvements it has, but it really is something. Whether it's listening to music or watching TV, this beats any smart speaker, Bluetooth, or otherwise that I’ve ever heard. In fact, the new HomePod is so good that I’d even recommend it as an upgrade from the original HomePod if you have one. It's the best smart speaker I've ever heard.”

For Hebrew speakers, now is the best time to get on board with Apple’s smart speaker.

Apple’s brand new HomePod 2 is an absolute marvel. If you’ve read our HomePod 2 review, you’ll know we love it for its incredible sound profile and nifty internal upgrades, alongside some new smart home capabilities. The HomePod 2, however, remains pricey, and I’ve seen plenty of folks postulating that you might be better off saving some money and instead buying two HomePod minis for around two-thirds of its bigger brother’s price.

Apple’s new HomePod 2 costs $299 / £299, and you’re going to struggle to find a discount on that given it’s only a few weeks old. You can usually pick up a HomePod mini for around $80-$90, so two might cost you just $160, or perhaps $180. Regardless, buying two HomePod minis will save you at least $100 over the HomePod 2, but is it worth it?

I’m here to put this nonsensical idea to bed. Let me tell you why the HomePod mini, even in stereo, doesn’t offer anywhere near the experience of the larger, newer, HomePod 2.

 Size and design 

The HomePod mini is small, obviously, and one distinct advantage it offers over the larger HomePod 2 is its diminutive form factor, which makes it perfect for popping on a desk or hiding on a bookshelf. At barely 10 cm, the sphere is very unobtrusive and definitely the pick if you’re at a real premium for space. Of course, you’ll need more space for two HomePod minis, and a reasonable distance between them to enjoy stereo sound. That means the HomePod mini in stereo is best enjoyed on either side of a Mac or iPad in situ, probably at a desk or workstation.

By contrast, the new HomePod 2 is substantially larger, so you will need much more space to place one down. But, you’ll only need one outlet, and the new HomePod 2 comes with a nifty detachable cable that makes it much easier to hide away and pass through small holes, a big bonus in the new design this year.

If you want a splash of color for your office or anywhere else though, HomePod mini offers five colors that include vibrant blue, yellow, and orange. The new HomePod 2 only comes in white and midnight, which is really just black.

Honestly, the choice between the two is largely aesthetic, but the difference in sound is so great that you shouldn’t let that affect your choice, so let’s get to the good stuff.

 Sound 

The new HomePod 2 is a sonic masterpiece. It’s a marvel of great bass, rich mids, and crisp high-end sound. I also conducted iMore’s HomePod mini review, and was likewise impressed by just how loud such a small speaker can sound, especially by the sound quality at the price point and size. However, side-by-side there is simply no comparing the two. It’s not even close. This is largely reflected in the price tag, however, and I’d push a narrative that, whilst the HomePod 2 is around $200 more expensive than a HomePod mini, and $120-ish more expensive than two in stereo, it sounds about $1,000 better.

If you imagine the sound spectrum like the floors of a building, the HomePod 2 is a 100-story skyscraper. You have a basement, and then maybe 20 floors of bass, the remaining 80 floors are a delightful section of mid-range and high-end sound. I won’t retread the ground of our review too much, but the sound is incredibly spacious and well laid out, with every instrument and element of a song given plenty of room to breathe.

By contrast, the HomePod mini can perhaps boast on floors 30 through 60 in this skyscraper of sound. It lacks all of the low-end depth of the HomePod 2 and the high-end clarity. Even the middle ranges it does put are shallow and tinny by comparison to the HomePod 2. One unfortunate side effect of my time spent with the HomePod 2 is that I can longer enjoy listening to any of our HomePod mini units because it sounds so bad by comparison. If you’ve ever listened to any of Apple’s lossless, high-quality Apple Music, you’ll know that sometimes on a shaky internet connection, the song starts out in very poor quality before jumping up to its full fidelity. That’s what it’s like listening to HomePod 2 and HomePod mini.

There is one important issue to note, however. Despite the significant work Apple has done to reduce the vibrations coming from the bass of the new HomePod 2, it does still pack a real punch. During testing, I threw one on the shelf where I used to keep a single HomePod mini and popped some low-fi Hip-Hop on. My wife, who was on the other side of that wall in her office, was immediately disturbed, and I had to lower the volume significantly to stop it. I can move the HomePod to a better spot, but one thing it is worth noting is that the HomePod 2 is a punchy and potent speaker, and even at low volumes it put out enough sound to travel through the next wall. If you need more discrete listening, a pair of HomePod mini speakers could be the way to go.

 Smart Home 

Both the HomePod 2 and HomePod mini are good smart home speakers. Both use Siri to control any smart device in your house, both have internal temperature and humidity sensors, and both have support for Thread which means you can use them as the center of a smart home ecosystem. There is one notable difference, however. The new HomePod 2 comes with the S7 chip, which handles lots of onboard processing tasks including Siri.

This means that Siri is noticeably faster and more responsive on the new HomePod 2 than it is on the HomePod mini. If you’ve owned an old HomePod or the mini and have found Siri a frustrating experience, the new HomePod does alleviate this somewhat. Overall however, I don’t think there’s enough here to differentiate the two. They’re both capable smart home speakers in their own right. However, where the HomePod mini excels as a smart home hub that can also play music, the HomePod 2 is first and foremost a quality audio speaker that also happens to work with your smart home. It’s a subtle difference, but the results are profound. 

HomePod 2, or two HomePod minis? 

Given $299 of my own money, and the choice of either a single  HomePod 2 or two HomePod minis, I would pick the larger, newer HomePod every time. As a pure audio and listening experience it is simply lightyears ahead of even two HomePod minis playing in stereo. That doesn’t mean the HomePod mini isn’t capable, and if you’re really on a tight budget, or you’re not too fussy about audio quality, you can certainly have an enjoyable experience with them. 

However, I fervently believe that the HomePod 2 more than justifies its higher price tag, and that actually when you consider the audio performance and price pound-for-pound, the HomePod 2 is actually much better value. As I said, it costs maybe $120 more than two HomePod minis, but it sounds several-hundred dollars more expensive. Don’t choose wrong.