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Category: Homepod (page 1 of 1)

August 28, 2018

AirPort Express firmware update lets you use external speakers with your HomePod →

Zac Hall writing for 9to5Mac:

Apple’s AirPort line may be discontinued, but AirPort Express got one heck of an update today. Firmware update 7.8 for the latest AirPort Express hardware (2012 2nd-gen model, no longer sold) adds support for AirPlay 2 and Apple’s Home app.

If you’re like me, one feature holding you back from switching from a Sonos system to the HomePod is the ability to connect to external speakers. With my Sonos Connect, I’m able to hook my Sonos system into the ceiling speakers in my home, and play the same music over my ceiling speakers and my standalone Sonos. I pondered how I’d do this with the HomePod. It looks like this update fills that gap, since the AirPort Express has a port to connect to external speakers, and can now sync with the HomePod. Now the only obstacle for me is the price of switching systems, and getting the AirPort Express properly configured to not broadcast a network.


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January 22, 2018

HomePod Will Support HomeKit Scenes For Muting Siri, Offer Personalised Results For Individual Voices →

Rajesh Pandey, writing for iPhoneHacks:

Interestingly, Apple also seems to be adding support for multiple voice recognition in HomePod. The icons discovered in the Home app suggest that Siri would be able to recognize an individual’s voice and offer them personalized results.

Although the Echo offers multiple user support, you have to tell it to switch users. I’m not aware that it supports voice recognition, so this would be a big differentiator for the HomePod. And of course leave it to Apple to allow for easy muting of the Siri, for privacy-minded users. That’s the benefit of Apple’s business model not being tied to advertising.


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January 20, 2018

Apple Receives FCC Approval for HomePod, Suggesting a Launch Could Come Soon →

Juli Clover, writing for MacRumors:

Ahead of the promised “early 2018” launch of the HomePod, Apple has received official FCC approval for the smart speaker. Now that FCC approval has been obtained, Apple is free to begin selling the device at any time.

We’ll see if Apple is too late to the game on this one. Amazon looks to have the biggest lead, and CES was filled with smart assistants from other manufacturers this year. Also, the type of person that might get a HomePod for audio, as opposed to for its smart assistant features, seems to me to be the type of person already immersed in the Sonos ecosystem. Count me in that camp. I’m still on the fence with the HomePod – the reviews will go a long way toward my decision.


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