I have been using HomePod for a little over 4 weeks now. I previously had Echo Dot’s scattered around the house but have been interested in HomePod for a while. When at home I also always used the Apple Home app to control most of my devices. I could not access Home devices when away from home as I did not have a suitable hub. Apple states a hub could be a HomePod, iPad, or Apple TV 4K. I therefore made the decision to purchase a HomePod. I placed the HomePod in my living room and replaced the Echo Dot in that room.
HomePod – First Impressions
I was surprised at the size. In my head I was convinced it was bigger than it was. My first thought was, no way could this sound be as good as I hoped. I was pleasantly surprised and will talk about that a bit later.
Setting it up was simple, as with all things Apple. Also with all things Apple it was aesthetically pleasing, I particularly love the Siri lights that come on when it is doing something. If anything, I was disappointed that the lights didn’t stay on longer.
The device itself was near enough the same size as the Echo Dot I replaced. It was also very light, I expected it to be much heavier.
The sound quality
For such a small device the sound is incredible. It is clear and crisp with great base and low tones. The difference between the Echo Dot and HomePod in terms of sound was immediately recognisable. The sound filled the room and was a delight to listen to. In reading more about it you can also put a second HomePod in the same room and set them up as a stereo pair. I haven’t tried this yet but it is definitely on my list of things to do when I purchase another one. And I will be purchasing more!
The HomePod is known for its high-quality sound, featuring powerful bass and clear, crisp audio. It uses advanced audio technology, such as spatial awareness, to adjust the sound to the room and provide a more immersive listening experience. The speaker features seven beam-forming tweeters, a high-excursion woofer, and automatic bass correction for balanced and distortion-free sound. Overall, the HomePod is considered a top-performing speaker in terms of sound quality.
Connecting to HomeKit
HomePod can be connected to Apple’s HomeKit, allowing for voice control of compatible smart home devices and integration with other Apple devices. With HomeKit integration, you can use Siri on the HomePod to control lights, locks, thermostats, and other compatible devices in your home, just by asking. You can also set up automation and scenes, such as having the lights turn on automatically when you enter a room or setting the thermostat to a specific temperature when you say “goodnight”. By connecting the HomePod to HomeKit, you can create a smart home ecosystem that is both convenient and easy to control with your voice.
To connect your HomePod to HomeKit, follow these steps:
- Make sure your HomePod and iOS device are running the latest software updates.
- Open the Home app on your iOS device.
- Tap on the “+” sign in the top right corner of the app to add a new accessory.
- Hold your iPhone or iPad near the HomePod to start the setup process.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup, which may include entering a code or confirming the HomeKit settings on your HomePod.
Once HomePod was connected, there was nothing more to do on the Home app when away from home. Where before all devices were in a state of “unresponsive”, they were now all available no matter what WiFi I was connected to, or mobile network.
HomePod handoff
The other nice feature is handoff. HomePod handoff is a feature that allows you to seamlessly transition audio playback from one Apple device to another. For example, if you start playing music on your iPhone and then walk into a room with a HomePod, you can pick up where you left off by simply bringing your iPhone near the HomePod. The audio will automatically start playing on the HomePod and continue without interruption. This feature is made possible by Apple’s AirPlay 2 technology and is available on all HomePods running the latest software. HomePod handoff makes it easy to move from room to room, continuing your listening experience without missing a beat.
Should you buy a HomePod?
There are several reasons why you might want to consider getting a HomePod:
- Superior sound quality: The HomePod is known for its high-quality sound, featuring powerful bass and clear, crisp audio. It uses advanced audio technology to provide an immersive listening experience.
- Siri integration: The HomePod is equipped with Siri, allowing you to control your smart home devices, play music, set reminders, and more, just by using your voice.
- HomeKit integration: With HomeKit integration, you can control compatible smart home devices, such as lights and locks, through Siri on the HomePod. You can also set up automations and scenes to control multiple devices with a single command.
- Handoff feature: With the handoff feature, you can seamlessly transition audio playback from one Apple device to another, making it easy to move from room to room and continue your listening experience.
- Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem: If you have other Apple devices, such as an iPhone or iPad, the HomePod integrates seamlessly, allowing you to play music, control smart home devices, and access Siri from anywhere in your home.
Overall, the HomePod is a high-quality speaker that offers a convenient and immersive smart home experience. If you’re looking for a top-performing speaker and want to take advantage of Apple’s technology, the HomePod might be a good choice for you.
If you have devices that don’t natively support HomeKit you can setup HomeBridge. We wrote an article about this here, https://which-tech.co.uk/setting-up-homebridge-for-homekit/
If you want to know more about HomeKit you can find out more here, https://which-tech.co.uk/what-is-apple-homekit/
HomePod is available to buy direct from Apple, https://www.apple.com/uk/homepod-2nd-generation/?afid=p238%7CsrsPMh7zC-dc_mtid_20925z4e61671_pcrid_645300091182_pgrid_148889541961_pexid__&cid=wwa-uk-kwgo-aes–homepod-p-slid–productid–Brand-HomePod-Announce
