Apple HomePod

The HomePod excels as a high-quality smart speaker for listening to Apple Music, but trails behind Amazon and Google when it comes to voice control.

Apple's first smart speaker sounds amazing, but Siri needs to do more to compete with Alexa and Google Assistant.

The HomePod is Apple’s answer to the Amazon Echo, the Google Home, the Sonos One, and every other smart speaker out there with a built-in voice assistant. The HomePod is a $349 speaker with Siri built in — the basic idea is pretty simple. It comes in two colors, it’s covered in a spongy fabric with a touch display at the top, and it’s surprisingly heavy. The HomePod will be released on February 9th.

With the Apple HomePod, we're really reviewing two things at once: a premium speaker and a smart home hub. In the former category, the HomePod is excellent, with amazing sound and incredibly intuitive set-up. But in the latter Siri is only middling in its implementation, and the fact that you're not able to break out of the Apple ecosystem for many key functions also rankles.

As a simple wireless speaker the HomePod sounds truly brilliant, knocking the socks off most of the competition, including systems costing more. But because it is locked down to Apple-only devices and services it might not be as easy to fit into your existing setup as competitors such as Sonos. Missing true Spotify support will be a deal killer for many, as will the inability to play radio stations and the lack of multi-user support.

Even as a first-generation product, the HomePod feels polished in its design, the way it sounds and how it operates. However, Siri’s capabilities are a bit limited compared to its rivals and you’re also restricted to using Apple’s music services if you want deep integration with Siri. AirPlay 2 brings new features including multi-room audio and stereo, both of which work well. The HomePod can also control your smart home gadgets, but only if they’re compatible with HomeKit. It’s more tempting at it’s lower price.

Technically the best-sounding smart speaker, the Apple HomePod is a compact marvel that automatically adjusts its sound based on where you put it. Double-up in a stereo pair and, pound-for-pound, you can’t get better. Yet, for all the audio brilliance, Siri lags behind its smart assistant competition, and there’s too much focus on Apple devices and services to make this a smart speaker for the masses. If you are an Apple household, then this speaker could be worth picking up second hand.

Si vous êtes à la recherche d’un excellent haut-parleur pour jouer votre bibliothèque iTunes, ou si vous avez un abonnement Apple Music, le HomePod est alors une très bonne option. Le bonus est qu’il intègre Siri, avec lequel vous pouvez contrôler la lecture, faire des requêtes, etc. Si vous espériez que le HomePod soit assez intelligent pour vous appeler un taxi, commander une pizza, vous donner l’heure des trains et acheter du pain, alors vous serez déçu… Nous pensons que si Apple ouvre la plateforme HomePod à des tiers alors, le HomePod pourrait séduire un plus large public.

The second-generation HomePod is one of the most inconsistent speakers I’ve tested. In large open-plan spaces it sounds great. But sit in the wrong place, such as directly facing a sofa that is positioned against a wall in a medium-sized living room, and the HomePod can sound entirely dominated by baggy, booming bass, which is extremely disappointing for a £299 speaker.