Apple's original HomePod is one of the best smart speakers I've owned, delivering truly exceptional sound from Apple Music. I've got two, and I've also put some HomePod minis around the flat in rooms where I don't need such a big sound. But as much as I love both generations of HomePod, the news that Apple is bringing the original back – or at least adding a larger speaker to the range, which currently consists of just the mini – reminds me of the things that could make it seriously better. Here are three upgrades I'd like to see.
1. A swifter Siri
Siri just isn't as good as rival voice assistants. It's nice to have different voices to choose from – my Siri is a cheerful Irish woman – but it'd be nicer still if there wasn't such a long pause between me saying something and Siri responding. It'd be nice if Siri could hear better, too: I'll say something like "Hey Siri, turn the reading light on" and she'll reply "I'm sorry Carrie, the bedroom is not responding". I don't have a noisy flat or a thick accent, and other voice assistants don't have this problem: Alexa, for example, responds instantly and mostly accurately.
2. Real surround sound
While HomePods support Dolby Atmos, they don't deliver true surround sound: you can have a stereo pair connected to your Apple TV, but if you add more speakers they just play the same audio. A true surround mode would make the HomePods much more flexible, enabling you to have big ones near the TV and minis taking care of the rear channels.
And while we're at it, if Apple could make it easier to send music to multiple HomePods that'd be brilliant. It's rather clunky right now.
3. A sensible price
The original HomePods bombed because while they were great speakers, they were far too expensive for most of us: a HomePod was $349/£319. I bought mine for £100 less, and at that price I didn't feel I was paying an Apple Tax even though it's still more than the Amazon Echo, which is the best Amazon smart speaker you can buy right now. I'm sure there are plenty of people who'd be willing to pay around $200/£200 for a bigger, better HomePod compared to the £90 HomePod mini, but as Apple discovered first time around, £300+ seriously limits the number of people who'll buy your smart speakers. And with those devices acting as the gateway for smart home tech generally, that means fewer people embracing HomeKit. A better HomePod with a more sensible price makes sense as part of a wider smart home strategy.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Writer, musician and broadcaster Carrie Marshall has been covering technology since 1998 and is particularly interested in how tech can help us live our best lives. Her CV is a who’s who of magazines, newspapers, websites and radio programmes ranging from T3, Techradar and MacFormat to the BBC, Sunday Post and People’s Friend. Carrie has written more than a dozen books, ghost-wrote two more and co-wrote seven more books and a Radio 2 documentary series; her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. When she’s not scribbling, Carrie is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind (unquietmindmusic).
-
Apple to go toe-to-toe with Meta – smart glasses expected
The brand is upping its spatial computing game – here's when to expect it
By Sam Cross Published
-
Vive la Renault 4! Iconic 60s Renault returns as all-electric family car
Drawing inspiration from the original Renault 4, the new EV wants to be everything to everyone
By Chris Hall Published
-
I tried a sound healing relaxation class — here's my honest review
After hearing mixed reviews on sound therapy, I wanted to try it for myself
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
Apple’s HomePod with screen might not launch until 2025… but is it really needed?
If you want to get your hands on the HomePod with a screen, you could be waiting for a while…
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
I think these new smart lights are perfect for bringing the Xmas cheer
These new Hue lights and Nanoleaf shapes are the perfect way to brighten up your smart home
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
This Instant Pot Air Fryer could be the last kitchen gadget I'll ever buy
The latest Instant Pot looks like home cooking heaven
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
5 things I wish I'd known before buying Apple HomePod smart speakers
Apple's smart speakers sound fantastic – but there's still plenty of room for improvement
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
New Apple HomePod sounds like the smart speaker upgrade I crave
Apple's best smart speaker, the original HomePod, was discontinued. But it's coming back! Back! BACK!
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
No, Amazon, I don’t want Alexa to bring my relatives back from the dead
Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should. This Alexa feature is too creepy for me
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Is a gas BBQ worth it? I'm an expert and here's my honest opinion
If you're thinking buying a gas BBQ then read this
By Robert Jones Published