HomePod 2 looks remarkably similar to the original HomePod, but internally they are quite different. Unfortunately, the dark picture that Apple chose this time does not reveal much.
When I read the description a couple of things stuck out. The first one that hit me was the five-tweeter array. I thought I remembered seven tweeters. And I was right. This is the original:
I am curious about the “built-in bass-EQ mic”. HomePod tends to resonate with furniture surfaces and it would be quite an improvement if HomePod 2 mitigates this issue. This one is interesting:
The new built-in temperature and humidity sensor can measure indoor environments, so users can create automations that close the blinds or turn on the fan automatically when a certain temperature is reached in a room.
The same sensors are already present in the HomePod mini, so I shall have more sensors around the house. The press release also talks about the new home automation standard, so my hope is that HomePod 2 is also a Thread router like HomePod mini.
On the removal of two tweeters in the 2nd gen, and also of two microphones (1st gen still had six): This could easily seen as cost-saving measure, allowing Apple to sell at the same price (at margin) with higher component cost.
But a more interesting way of looking at it: Similar to the big shift towards shift “software-defined photography”, could this Apple’s way to move towards “software-defined sound”?
It absolutely is.
Really interested in the upcoming reviews