Apple’s smart wireless speaker HomePod was available for purchase in the UK, US and Australia way back in 2018. The Cupertino based brand launched the device in India in January earlier this year. However, the sale date wasn’t announced at that time. Now the HomePod is finally available for purchase in the country. Apple’s smart speaker will compete against Amazon’s Alexa-powered Echo and Google’s Google Home devices. Let’s take a look at the HomePod below:
Apple HomePod specifications & features:
The Apple HomePod features a 7-inch tall cylindrical shaped smart speaker. It is equipped with six microphones and can be activated by saying ‘Hey Siri’. The smart speaker is wrapped in mesh fabric and available in White and Space Grey colours. There is a touch surface on the top letting users control the music playback and trigger assistant. The HomePod houses Apple’s high-excursion woofer located at the top that produces a wide range of deep bass. It is also equipped with spatial awareness that automatically analyses the acoustics and adjusts the sound based on its location and provide a 360-degree audio output.
Users can use Siri to send messages, get weather updates, traffic details, relay the latest news and sports updates and more. The smart speaker can also play songs from Apple Music and other compatible streaming services by giving a voice command. It also suggests your favourite songs and artists based on your personal music preferences. The Apple HomePod is also capable of controlling Home Kit-enabled smart home devices like lights, ACs and microwaves via voice command.
The Apple HomePod is powered by Apple A8 processor. Connectivity options on the smart speaker include WiFi with MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, and AirPlay 2.0. It is compatible with iPhones, iPads and iPods.
HomePod pricing & availability:
The Apple HomePod is priced at Rs 19,900 and is now available for purchase via Amazon India, Flipkart and PayTM Mall. However, due to the ongoing lockdown in the country, it will only be delivered to Green and Orange zones.