The iPhone-maker was arguably first to the game with the launch of Siri back in 2011 , but Amazon and Google are now well ahead in the home assistant market — with a great range of products, third-party support, and compatibility with various Internet of Things devices.
Siri is what powers the Homepod, and while the assistant’s new voice sounds much more human and has a handful of great features, it falls short of the current competition.
It’s dead simple — simply hold an iPhone, iPad, or iPod with the latest version of iOS near the HomePod, and you’ll get a prompt to set up the speaker.
The HomePod will utilize all the data from your iCloud account, so it’s not learning about you from scratch, and all of its settings can be accessed through the Home app you may already use to control HomeKit-enabled devices.
It’s disappointing to see there’s no cheaper option available, like the Echo Dot or the Google Home Mini, but it’s all tied to Apple focusing on perfect sound more than anything else.
- Early HomePod review: Sound is superior to the Echo and Google Home, but Siri ...BGR
- How to buy HomePod using Apple's financing optionsAppleInsider (press release) (blog)
- HomePod has one thing AirPods need nextCNET
- Get Two Sonos Ones for the Price of One Apple HomePodTom's Guide
- Sonos bundles two speakers for the price of one HomePodTNW
- This Sonos One deal lets you buy two speakers for the price of an Apple HomePodTechRadar
- Sonos counters Apple's HomePod by selling two speakers for same $349 priceThe Verge
- Apple's HomePod: Too Little, Too Late?Tom's Guide
- iTunes 12.7.3TidBITS
