homepod

When we Apple’s HomePod mini in 2020, we had some reservations. While it was a much better value than HomePod, it still had some of the same limitations of its bigger sibling. Siri wasn’t as bright as Alexa or Google Assistant, the HomeKit ecosystem was limited and there were no real alternatives to Apple Music for on-demand tunes. You bought a mini for Apple’s tight integration, and not much else. Fast-forward to 2023 and it’s a different story. Apple has significantly expanded the HomePod mini’s functionality. It now…

The original HomePod arrived in 2018 and was discontinued in favor of the $99 HomePod Mini in 2021, but Apple brought it back earlier this year as a second generation model with upgraded audio and new smart home tools. Now, it's on sale for the first time at B&H Photo Video for $279 in white and $289 in black via an instant rebate, saving you $20 and $10 respectively.  Engadget…

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…

Over this month, we heard at least two reports regarding Apple’s former employees’ dissatisfaction with Siri. The personal assistant has been called “clunky,” and Apple’s team of mixed reality headset engineers reportedly wanted to replace Siri due to its underwhelming performance with basic tasks. Interestingly enough, these reports shouldn’t surprise Apple users, as the personal assistant has been the subject of criticism since it debuted. Weirdly, what makes Siri trail behind the competition is what should…

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…

I’ve already made my Android-leaning ways known here at Gizmodo. When Apple announced it was updating the HomePod smart speaker, I didn’t understand why it was a big deal—or why my Apple pals had such high hopes for and worries about it. Then I realized it was because Apple flubbed the first HomePod, which very quickly got a price drop after its release and was then discontinued. There was hope that this model would fix what didn’t work in the last one and would redeem it, especially since the HomePod Mini had offered…

If a smoke alarm sounds and no one is around to hear it, how effective is it? Sound Recognition, which is a brand new feature on all Apple HomePod smart speakers, can help. Sound Recognition will send an alert to your phone when the speaker hears a smoke or CO alarm. You can then check in through the Home app and hear what’s going on wherever you are.The Sound Recognition alert opens two-way communication with your HomePod and your iPhone.This valuable safety feature is free and easy to enable. If you already own one or…

Jason Cipriani/ZDNETIf you've got a HomeKit smart home, you can put off buying smart smoke detectors: The HomePodcan now listen for and recognize the sounds of smoke and CO alarms in your home and send your iPhone a real-time notification. A HomePod or HomePod Mini isn't a substitute for a smoke alarm, however, and this feature shouldn't be relied upon in cases of emergency or where the loss of life is possible. Also: HomePod vs HomePod Mini: Do you go big or small with Apple's smart speakers?This software update…

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…

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…