New HomePod launching in late 2022 or early 2023, says Kuo
Apple is gearing as much as launch a brand new model of its HomePod good speaker, in line with dependable provide chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple at present sells the $99 HomePod mini as the one mannequin. The unique HomePod with way more spectacular sound was discontinued final yr after a worth lower from $349 to $299.
New HomePod rumors
In response to Kuo, Apple is concentrating on This autumn of this yr or Q1 of subsequent yr for launching the following HomePod mannequin. Presumably, this will probably be a bigger mannequin than the HomePod mini, however one with options that assist convey the fee down from $300 like its predecessor.
The opposite different, though hopefully much less doubtless, is a brand new model of the HomePod mini. Apple has launched new colours of the HomePod mini, however a second era doesn’t appear vital but.
Similar HomePod design
That’s solely hypothesis, nevertheless, as Kuo solely described the brand new HomePod by saying “there will not be a lot innovation in {hardware} design.” In fact, that could possibly be an excellent factor contemplating the {hardware} design isn’t a serious grievance, except you need Bluetooth or line-out performance.
Kuo went on to say that whereas he views good audio system as “undoubtedly one of many important components of the house ecosystem,” he doesn’t suppose Apple has realized how to achieve success within the good speaker area.
Good speaker market
That’s largely as a result of Apple insists on premium audio efficiency, which comes with increased worth tags, and that’s earlier than you take into account Apple’s margins to make a product value its time. Amazon Echo and Google Nest merchandise rival even the HomePod mini in worth (if not options), however we don’t anticipate Apple to launch a HomePod model under the HomePod mini threshold.
Because the unique HomePod introduction, Sonos has beefed up its linked speaker merchandise with voice management options as effectively. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant first introduced voice management for music and good options to Sonos, and now the corporate has developed its personal in-house good assistant for voice controlling music.
Kuo has additionally lately predicted that Apple is creating a brand new model of the Apple TV set-top field with the purpose of decreasing the fee construction.
9to5Mac’s take
Kuo’s newest prediction is music to our ears. We had been massive followers of the unique HomePod regardless of its extra premium worth to Amazon and Google choices. HomePod mini was sorely wanted as an possibility, however it shouldn’t be the one good speaker from Apple. In addition to, mini in comparison with what?
This autumn 2022 and Q1 2023 aren’t that far-off, and we’re desirous to study extra about this new HomePod mannequin in improvement. Bigger HomePods are nice for the lounge, whereas smaller variations are extra acceptable all through the home. Hopefully, Apple has discovered a method to get nearer to the unique HomePod when it comes to high quality, however with out the hefty price ticket that restricted its enchantment to the lots.
Or, you understand, possibly Apple may simply make fewer of the premium HomePods. AirPods Max headphones are an exquisite addition to the AirPods earbud market, and the adoption of the latter is light-years forward of the previous. It’s additionally value noting that Apple launched its $550 headphones simply earlier than discontinuing its $300 speaker. By our measure, HomePod was a vastly higher worth than AirPods Max (even when they’re additionally nice).
