I’ve tested the new HomePod and I still don’t know why Apple re-released it

Welcome to our weekend Apple Breakfast column, which involves all of the Apple information you skipped this week in a helpful bite-sized roundup. We connect with it Apple Breakfast for the reason that we assume it goes great with a morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s interesting if you want to give it a read all through lunch or supper hrs far too.

Home perform

This 7 days I have been performing on the Macworld overview of Apple’s new HomePod and spoiler notify: It’s an attractive and very well-manufactured device with good sound. But it is also really confusing to appraise. The problem I hold coming back again to is this: Who is this for?

Famously and somewhat mysteriously, Apple discontinued the authentic HomePod in 2021 a couple months right after releasing the $99 HomePod mini. At the time, most pundits assumed this was an admission that the complete-sizing model just didn’t promote: It was on the high-priced aspect, soon after all, and did not perform nicely with Android phones, or streaming companies other than Apple Songs. It also had an bothersome non-detachable electrical power wire and a claimed inclination to go away white circular marks on people’s furnishings. The HomePod mini did not clear up all of all those challenges, but it’s a lot a lot easier to forgive flaws when you’re spending $99 rather than $299.

If gross sales figures had been the trouble, it’s a small confusing that Apple has chosen to start one more full-measurement HomePod that appears practically similar to the original. There are some changes, of system, and if you acquired the initial HomePod and returned it in disgust, it is feasible that your annoyances have been resolved: the power cord is now removable, when the base (like that of the HomePod mini) is a flat circle alternatively than a ring, and considerably considerably less inclined to leave marks. But broader troubles nevertheless continue to be.

Despite a somewhat reduced price tag than the first HomePod experienced at launch, this remains an expensive good speaker that isn’t terribly sensible (thanks to Siri’s continuing imperfections) and does not engage in nicely with most items and expert services from outdoors Apple’s ecosystem. And it’s really hard to see this switching the minds of all those who weren’t amazed by the initial product.

People like me, meanwhile–people who owned the very first HomePod and alternatively appreciated it for all its faults–are unlikely to be pushed into an upgrade. The new design is superior in some means, with a larger display screen and extra balanced audio output, but not by plenty of to justify a substitute. And it just cannot be set up as a stereo pair with its 2018 counterpart. The update path merely is not really powerful.

There are opportunities we may perhaps not have thought of. It is possible, for example, that the unique HomePod sold good and was discontinued for other good reasons difficulties with manufacturing during the pandemic, perhaps. It is also probable that the new HomePod is portion of a broader strategy to deal with the wise residence, and isn’t supposed or expected to make a good deal of income in its personal proper. Possibly Apple thinks the HomePod mini is much more pleasing when established alongside a status solution at a bigger value stage, or just thinks it’s silly to offer a mini product or service when there is not some thing else that’s even bigger.

Whichever the reasoning—and Apple generally is familiar with what it is doing—I’m not confident I adhere to it. But at the same time, I do like the HomePod, which may give an perception into how complicated this assessment has been to compose. If you’d like to go through it in complete, tune into Macworld upcoming 7 days.

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The rumor mill

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Podcast of the 7 days

The Mac has a extensive and storied background, but online video game titles play a extremely compact part. In this episode of the Macworld Podcast, we talk about the point out of Mac gaming.

You can catch every single episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts application, or our personal internet site.

Software updates, bugs & problems

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And with that, we’re finished for this 7 days. If you’d like to get frequent roundups, signal up for our newsletters. You can also comply with us on Twitter or on Facebook for dialogue of breaking Apple information stories. See you future Saturday, enjoy the rest of your weekend, and continue to be Appley.