Everything to Know about Apple’s HomePod Smart Speaker

Apple’s “walled garden” ecosystem features a wide variety of devices and software, including everything from iPhones and iPads to Apple TVs and Siri voice controls. One especially noteworthy device? The Apple HomePod aims to combine bleeding-edge technology with the style and ease of use that are now synonymous with Apple.

In an overcrowded smart speaker market, what does the Apple HomePod offer that others cannot? Keep reading to find out.

Apple’s sound engineers have gone above and beyond with the HomePod. They crammed an insane amount of technological horsepower into the device. This tech feat delivers a truly remarkable listening experience.

Powered by Apple’s custom-designed A8 chip, the HomePod features seven speakers, as well as a four-inch subwoofer to deliver incredible sound. How it achieves this feat is truly unique: six microphones inside the device analyze the HomePod’s entire surroundings and customize the audio based on the layout of the room. No matter where the HomePod is located in your house, it’s going to sound great thanks to some genius engineering.

Once the HomePod has calibrated itself for optimal sound, you’ll get to hear just what makes this device so special. The depth and richness of sound is phenomenal, and you’ll always have the right audio mix in your ears. Apple set out to make sound quality the defining feature of the HomePod — and the tech titan has once again hit a home run.

Unfortunately, while the HomePod is a dynamo in the sound quality department, the same cannot be said for its range of features. First and foremost, the HomePod is an Apple device for Apple fanatics, so it’s missing support for a number of popular services. It does not work with Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant, so you’re stuck with Siri.

Perhaps more disappointing, however, is the lack of Spotify support. Once again, you’re resigned to using Apple’s Music service instead of an outside option. While it makes business sense for Apple to limit the HomePod’s feature set, it’s an unfortunate problem given how incredible the device sounds. Of course, workarounds are possible, such as using AirPlay 2 to stream Spotify using the HomePod. Still, the lack of native, in-iOS support is disappointing.

Thankfully, the way HomePod interacts with Apple’s suite of services is a saving grace. A useful Intercom feature makes owning multiple HomePods a fun way to communicate with your family throughout the house. Another useful family function: the HomePod can identify up to six different voices. This capability allows various users to play their own music or podcasts.

Despite the lack of support for other services, the HomePod still feels like it can be the centerpiece of your smart home entertainment setup — as long as you’re happy sticking to Apple’s services.

Despite Apple’s reputation for exorbitant pricing, the HomePod checks in at a very reasonable $299. As mentioned previously, its feature set is limited. Yet, considering the quality of the audio being pumped out, the HomePod’s price point is right in line with other smart speakers that put a premium on sound. While it won’t replace the sound bar in your living room or the rugged portable Bluetooth speaker you bring to the beach, the HomePod will be the backbone of your smart home and do everything you want it to for a price that’s more than fair.

When you invest in your HomePod smart speaker, you may have the opportunity to also extend warranty coverage from the AppleCare+ program. Consider taking an alternate approach: securing a speaker extended warranty from Upsie. Upsie cuts out the middleman to deliver both exceptional coverage and maximum savings. In the event of a malfunction, you’ll enjoy multiple options for getting your device fixed. As you consider the cost of repair, you’ll quickly realize that extended warranty coverage from Upsie is more than worthwhile.