10 things you (probably) didn't know about Apple's HomePod
Apple HomePod sounds really great, works with Apple Music, Siri is still meh, and it requires an iOS device to set up. The end, right?
Not quite. The first HomePod reviews have revealed a few interesting things that may or may not sway your opinion on Apple's first smart speaker.
1. Play podcasts at 1.5x or 2x speed
Just as there are speed readers, there are speed podcast listeners. Ask any hardcore podcaster how they have the time to listen to so many podcasts and they'll tell you their little secret: speed up the audio.
On HomePod, podcasts can be played at 1.5 or 2x speed, according to BuzzFeed. Alexa, unfortunately, doesn't know the same trick.
2. Setup is stupid-easy
You know how pairing Bluetooth speakers can be a huge pain in the ass when your device can't detect the speaker or vice versa?
Apparently, all you need to start the HomePod setup process is hold your iPhone up next to it. A series of cards will appear on your iPhone and start plugging in all of your iCloud and Wi-Fi network settings. If there's anything Apple knows how do to right, it's making setup a breeze.
3. Can't set two timers at once
The ability to set multiple timers with an Echo or Google Home makes these two smart speakers a great companion in the kitchen.
But for some reason Siri can't do the same on HomePod. The Verge's Nilay Patel was pretty outraged by this omission. Fingers crossed Apple will add this functionality in a future software update. Shouldn't be so hard.
4. Can't call you a car or order a pizza
You probably shouldn't be shocked by this. But there aren't many third-party service integrations with Siri. HomePod can't call you an Uber or order you a pizza like Alexa can. What good is a smart speaker if it can't resolve your every first world problem with a voice command?
5. Can't recognize different voices
Sigh. Recognizing different voices and then switching to different accounts is yet another thing the HomePod can't do that its competition can.
Siri may be great at listening for its command even over loud music, but it can't tell the difference between you, your mom, or your nosy friend you invited over for a sleepover. That's a shame because it means it only supports one iCloud account and that's it. Want to add something to your own shopping list but not your husbands? Tough luck.
6. Siri is device-aware
What happens when you have multiple devices that respond the "Hey, Siri" voice command? Well, it turns out shouting for Apple's voice assistant won't trigger all of your devices.
Jim Dalrymple at The Loop says Siri "polls all of your devices over Bluetooth to figure out which device should handle your request."
For instance, if you raise your wrist and say, “Hey Siri,” the combined devices will assume you want Siri on your Apple Watch. If you’re using your iPhone, then you probably want that device to respond. If you’re just sitting, not touching any device, then HomePod will take over.
Pretty smart!
7. Friends won't screw up your Apple Music
HomePod was designed to work with Apple Music, which constantly learns your music tastes and then finds songs you might like. But one thing you don't want is your friends playing their music on your HomePod and essentially training it to prefer their music preferences.
Also from The Loop's review:
There is a setting in the Home app that allows you to prevent the music played on HomePod from affecting the “For You” section of Apple Music.
8. Might stain your countertop
Pocket-Lint set up their HomePod on a "solid oak kitchen worktop treated with Danish oil" and wouldn't you know it, the smart speaker's left a round ring behind within minutes.
Within 20 minutes the HomePod had caused a white discoloured ring to appear on the wood that some days later has faded, although still hasn't completely disappeared.
Your mileage may vary, though; HomePod may not stain other types of wood or surface material.
9. Coasters and HomePod don't mix
To prevent ring stains, Pocket-Lint placed their HomePod on a coaster... and it made the audio sound worse. So maybe don't place it on a coaster.
10. There's no physical mute mic button
The Echo and Google Home both have buttons you can press to mute their microphones. It's a good way to guarantee the microphones aren't listening when you don't want them to. On HomePod, the only way to mute its mics is to use a voice command, according to the Wall Street Journal. Womp womp.
Raymond Wong is Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent. He reviews gadgets and tech toys and analyzes the tech industry. Raymond's also a bit of a camera geek, gamer, and fine chocolate lover. Before arriving at Mashable, he was the Deputy Editor of NBC Universal's tech publication DVICE. His writing has appeared on G4TV, BGR, Yahoo and Ubergizmo, to name a few. You can follow Raymond on Twitter @raywongy or Instagram @sourlemons.
