New HomePod Launches Today, Apple Store Pickup Now Available

Apple's second-generation HomePod launches today, with the new smart speaker available for pickup at Apple Stores in the U.S. and select other countries. Online pre-orders also begin arriving to customers today, and pre-ordering is no longer required.

HomePod 2 White and Midnight Feature Purple Blue
Apple customers can use the Apple online store or App Store app to order a ‌HomePod‌ for Apple Store pickup. Simply select the "I'll pick it up" option at checkout, enter your ZIP or postal code, and select the most convenient ‌Apple Store‌ location. Customers can then select a pickup date and 15-minute check-in window.

Priced at $299 and coming‌‌ in Midnight and White color options, the new ‌HomePod‌ looks very similar to the original ‌HomePod‌ that Apple discontinued in 2021, but there are some subtle design changes and several new features.

The second-generation ‌HomePod‌ has a refined design with a larger backlit touch surface and a removable power cable, while inside there are five tweeters (as opposed to seven in the original model), four far-field microphones (as opposed to six), and new temperature and humidity sensors.

The new ‌HomePod‌ is powered by Apple's S7 chip, and comes with Thread support, a U1 Ultra Wideband chip to support music handoff, and Wi-Fi 802.11n connectivity. It also supports Spatial Audio. Two HomePods can be used together to form a stereo pair, but original ‌HomePod‌ owners should note that the new ‌HomePod‌ can't be stereo paired with the first-generation model.


The new $299 ‌HomePod‌ is available from today in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, the US, and 11 other countries.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Buy Now)

Top Rated Comments

User 6502 Avatar
8 weeks ago

5 Ghz WiFi will give a faster connection, but 2.4 Ghz will typically give better signal range, and thus a more stable connection when the HomePod is in a room far from the WiFi router.

Making it 802.11n only was probably a deliberate decision on Apple's part. It'll save a few cents on antennas but also should improve WiFi reliability for most users, in a device that simply doesn't need high bandwidth.
Apple’s reality distortion field hits once again. The home pod uses an outdated Wi-Fi standard just because it’s using a cheaper Watch chip, downgraded from a more expensive iPhone chip of the previous HomePod. It has nothing to do with bandwidth or stability or anything: it’s just apple trying to increase their margins, same thing they did by removing two tweeters and two microphones.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dantracht Avatar
8 weeks ago
I’ll say it again: I’m very glad these are an option again. However, I’ll also say again: not spending another penny on a HomePod until apple fixes HomeKit. When my current fleet work as well as they used to before 16.2 ruined them, I’ll get a pair of these two. Not before.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reason077 Avatar
8 weeks ago

The original HomePods never give me problem with "Unable to connect to the internet" but HomePod mini always do. I will not get the new HomePod since it's using 802.11n Wi-Fi. Same as HomePod mini. This's so stupid.
5 Ghz WiFi will give a faster connection, but 2.4 Ghz will typically give better signal range, and thus a more stable connection when the HomePod is in a room far from the WiFi router.

Making it 802.11n only was probably a deliberate decision on Apple's part. It'll save a few cents on antennas but also should improve WiFi reliability for most users, in a device that simply doesn't need high bandwidth.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ? Avatar
8 weeks ago
So excited to receive mine. Better yet, it’s coming from Apple’s new distribution center in Indiana.

https://www.indystar.com/story/money/2021/04/26/apple-inc-indiana-distribution-center-clayton-hendricks-county/7380131002/

https://cbs4indy.com/news/apple-announces-new-facility-in-hendricks-county/amp/




Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dantracht Avatar
8 weeks ago

Local store has already slipped to 14th March for the Midnight option. Had availability at 8am this morning so either stores aren’t getting many units in or it has been super popular. I’m going with not many units!
Apple marketing 101.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Duncan-UK Avatar
8 weeks ago
Working near to an Apple shop today, so cracked and bought two (midnight). I now hate myself…
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 16

Apple Releases iOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications, Beta Changes, Voice Isolation for Calls and More

Monday March 27, 2023 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 16.4, the fourth major update to the iOS 16 operating system that initially came out last September. iOS 16.4 comes two months after the launch of iOS 16.3, an update that added Security Keys for Apple ID. iOS 16‌.4 and iPadOS 16.4 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:06 am PDT by
Following nearly six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 is expected to be released to the public as soon as this week. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone 8 and newer. To install an iOS update, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap General → Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. Below, we have recapped eight new features and...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Some Apple Employees Seriously Concerned About Mixed-Reality Headset as Announcement Draws Closer

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:25 am PDT by
Some Apple employees are concerned about the usefulness and price point of the company's upcoming mixed-reality headset, The New York Times reports. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane Initial enthusiasm around the device at the company has apparently become skepticism, according to eight current and former Apple employees speaking to The New York Times. The change of tone...
iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Gurman: iOS 17 to Provide Several 'Most Requested Features'

Sunday March 26, 2023 6:05 am PDT by
Apple changed the strategy for iOS 17 later in its development process to add several new features, suggesting that the update may be more significant than previously thought, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In January, Gurman said that iOS 17 could be a less significant update than iPhone updates in previous years due to the company's intense focus on its long-awaited mixed-reality...
apple tv 4k red image

Apple Releases tvOS 16.4 for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD

Monday March 27, 2023 10:00 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 16.4, the fourth major point update to the tvOS 16 operating system that came out last September. Available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, tvOS 16.4 comes two months following the release of tvOS 16.3. The tvOS 16.4 update can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the ‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌ by going to System > Software Update....
Steve Jobs Theater dusk

Apple Reportedly Demoed Mixed-Reality Headset to Executives in the Steve Jobs Theater Last Week

Sunday March 26, 2023 5:53 am PDT by
Apple showcased its mixed-reality headset to the company's top 100 executives in the Steve Jobs Theater last week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that the "momentous gathering" is a "key milestone" ahead of the headset's public announcement planned for June. The event was intended to rally Apple's top members of...
Apple Music Classical

Apple Explains Why It Launched an iPhone App Dedicated to Classical Music

Monday March 27, 2023 8:54 pm PDT by
Apple today published a support document explaining why it decided to release a standalone Apple Music Classical app for classical music. In short, Apple says the app was designed to support classical music's complex metadata:Classical music is different. It has longer and more detailed titles, multiple artists for each work, and hundreds of recordings of well-known pieces. The Apple Music...
iPhone 15 Pro Buttons CAD Leak

iPhone 15 Pro Low-Energy Chip to Allow Solid-State Buttons to Work When Device is Off or Out of Battery

Wednesday March 29, 2023 1:54 am PDT by
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will use a new ultra-low energy microprocessor allowing certain features like the new capacitive solid-state buttons to remain functional even when the handset is powered off or the battery has run out, according to a source that shared details on the MacRumors forums. CAD-based render of new solid-state buttons on iPhone 15 Pro models The source of this rumor is ...