Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
iOS 13 & watchOS 6 Now Available
HomePod Works Abroad in English Only, Other Languages Coming in Future Software Updates
While the HomePod is initially launching in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom next month, MacRumors can confirm that Apple's smart speaker will function in most other countries around the world.
When users try to set up the HomePod outside of those aforementioned countries, a dialogue box will appear that directs them to choose one of three English language options to proceed. We can confirm this setup process can be completed, and that the HomePod functions, in mostly any country from day one.
The setup process was leaked by Guilherme Rambo back in August:
What this all means is that if you manage to purchase a HomePod from one of the initial launch countries, you could take it back home to a country like Canada or elsewhere in Europe and it should function properly, but until Siri gains support for additional languages, you'll be stuck using English only.
While this information isn't all that surprising, we decided to share it given an influx of questions we have received from our international readers.
Apple today announced the HomePod will be available to order this Friday, January 26 in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom for $349, $499, and £319 respectively. Those orders will begin arriving to customers, alongside limited in-store availability, starting Friday, February 9.
Apple said the HomePod will launch in France and Germany this spring, marking the first countries where English isn't the primary language spoken where the speaker will be available. As mentioned, a future software update should add French and German language support to Siri on the HomePod.
When users try to set up the HomePod outside of those aforementioned countries, a dialogue box will appear that directs them to choose one of three English language options to proceed. We can confirm this setup process can be completed, and that the HomePod functions, in mostly any country from day one.
The setup process was leaked by Guilherme Rambo back in August:
This is how the HomePod setup will look like on an iPhone. pic.twitter.com/SARqsYslL6
— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) August 22, 2017
What this all means is that if you manage to purchase a HomePod from one of the initial launch countries, you could take it back home to a country like Canada or elsewhere in Europe and it should function properly, but until Siri gains support for additional languages, you'll be stuck using English only.
While this information isn't all that surprising, we decided to share it given an influx of questions we have received from our international readers.
Apple today announced the HomePod will be available to order this Friday, January 26 in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom for $349, $499, and £319 respectively. Those orders will begin arriving to customers, alongside limited in-store availability, starting Friday, February 9.
Apple said the HomePod will launch in France and Germany this spring, marking the first countries where English isn't the primary language spoken where the speaker will be available. As mentioned, a future software update should add French and German language support to Siri on the HomePod.
Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)
[ 56 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
22 months ago
So in other words: there‘ll be many countries that‘ll never get Siri on their speakers, as is currently the case with Siri on AppleTV.
It‘s a shame that such a big company is unable to support all of their markets within reasonable time. Non-english speakers are always second class customers.
It‘s a shame that such a big company is unable to support all of their markets within reasonable time. Non-english speakers are always second class customers.
22 months ago
Maybe, but what is really ridiculous is that Apple/people think this can output *great sound, fact, it can't.
*For a 7" tall speaker
EDIT: I know that there are limitations because of the size.
22 months ago
Maybe, but what is really ridiculous is that Apple/people think this can output *great sound, fact, it can't.
*For a 7" tall speaker
However, with an announced down-firing woofer and seven-tweeter array it could still sound amazing and be a great improvement over the multitude of inexpensive 'junk' powered speakers a lot of people use for shared listening.
22 months ago
What a ridiculous price.
Maybe, but what is really ridiculous is that Apple/people think this can output *great sound, fact, it can't.
*For a 7" tall speaker
22 months ago
Hilarious how they keep putting out products with half-baked features and people still buy them day 1.
Wonder what Steve's view would be on how their marketing/sales exec colleagues are exploiting the brand economically since he's been gone, he would justify these mediocre gen 1 products because they still sell tons? Never seen him put out one (not that they were always perfect).
Wonder what Steve's view would be on how their marketing/sales exec colleagues are exploiting the brand economically since he's been gone, he would justify these mediocre gen 1 products because they still sell tons? Never seen him put out one (not that they were always perfect).
22 months ago
But if it flops they'll just cover it up like they did with the Apple Watch. I actually hope these surveillance speakers go the way of the dodo.
Apple Watch is currently a $6 billion a year business - I'm sure Apple would love to see HomePod be as big a "flop."
22 months ago
Because you have already heard it in real life?
You have one that you have already tried? Please post a video on YouTube for all of us to hear for ourselves.
No, it's a fact you can't get great sound out of small speakers, this is common knowledge/physics.
*Edited: Grammar
22 months ago
Hilarious how they keep putting out products with half-baked features and people still buy them day 1.
Have you ever used the HomePod? When would you expect the consumer to actually purchase the HomePod if it's not on day one? Day two?
Wonder what Steve's view would be on how their marketing/sales exec colleagues are exploiting the brand economically since he's been gone.
Why does Steve Jobs name have to be brought into the equation for every Apple product/marketing when it doesn't have to be?
22 months ago
I have Amazon Echo (Alexa) devices for each room and whole-house audio and it's extremely impressive.
[ Read All Comments ]
With the arrival of the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, Apple has introduced an optional new camera feature in iOS 13 that's designed to allow you to correct the alignment of...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with AnyTrans to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win one of Apple's new iPhone 11 Pro Max devices and a lifetime AnyTrans license.
For...
Due to Apple seeding the iOS 13.1 beta prior to the public release of iOS 13, upgrading to a new iPhone may be a bit trickier this year.
In a support document, Apple has provided instructions...
Apple today the golden master version of an upcoming tvOS 13 update to developers, one week after seeding the eleventh beta and more than three months after unveiling the tvOS 13 software at the...
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings recently discussed what he thinks about the upcoming launch of new rivals Apple TV+ and Disney+, as well as Netflix's plans to retain subscriber interest after their...
One of the new features set to officially launch in iOS 13.1 next week is "Audio Sharing," which lets you share the audio that you hear from your iPhone with another user.
While this...
Apple added an ECG app to the Apple Watch Series 4 last year, providing users in select territories the ability to measure the electrical activity of their heart. This ECG feature is now live for...
One of the more useful actions that 3D Touch makes possible is pressing an iPhone's onscreen keyboard to turn it into a virtual trackpad. If you 3D Touch, the keyboard turns blank and morphs into...
