As originally promised, Apple's Siri-driven HomePod wireless speaker today made its official debut in France and Germany for €349, and in Canada for 499 Canadian dollars.
HomePod goes on sale in France, Germany and Canada
HomePod
Stay up-to-date on the latest HomePod news, and learn how to get the most out of your device with our comprehensive tutorials. From initial set up to advanced features, we’ve got you covered!
HomePod can now read the news in Canada
Ahead of HomePod's scheduled launch in Canada three days from now, Apple's Siri-driven wireless speaker can already reads the news in the 37 million people country.
List of AirPlay 2 Siri voice commands for controlling multiple speakers
AirPlay 2 brings the ability to control audio across multiple speakers from your HomePod, iPhone, iPad or Apple TV. You can use voice commands to do things like play music in a particular room, play different songs on different speakers, enjoy a playlist on all or just specific speakers, continue playing a track on another speaker and more. Here's our list of the best AirPlay 2 Siri voice commands that are specific to multi-room audio support.
Siri on HomePod now speaks French, German and Canadian English languages and dialects
Thanks to yesterday's software updates, Siri on HomePod now understands French, German and Canadian English languages and dialects spoken in those countries, with additional support for Canadian French coming down the pike later this year.
How about a $250 Beats Siri speaker?
Has price kept you from buying a HomePod? At what price point would you consider ditching Google or Amazon and buying a smart speaker from Apple? What about $250? That's the price one Apple analyst predicts Apple will charge for a new Beats-branded speaker that could be announced at next week's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
HomePod update is its most significant yet
The newly released HomePod update is the Siri-based speaker's most significant software update since the device was first released in February. Version 11.4 adds key features, including multi-room and stereo pairing.
HomePod goes on sale in Canada, France & Germany on June 18
Following its January launch in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, Apple is keeping true to its promise by announcing today that the HomePod wireless speaker has been scheduled to expand to Canada, France and Germany on Monday, June 18.
iOS 11.4 arriving today with AirPlay 2, HomePod to gain multi-room audio and stereo pairing
Apple will release the iOS 11.4 update later today, bringing new features to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch device owners such as AirPlay 2, BuzzFeed News reported Tuesday morning.
Google, not Amazon now leads smart speaker market
There's a new leader in the growing smart speaker market. During the first quarter of 2018, Google overtook Amazon for the top spot. Meanwhile, Apple's nowhere to be found in the new Canalys survey of the top smart speaker producers in the world, suggesting it might be awhile before the HomePod maker makes a mark in the emerging product category.
Apple becomes the fourth largest smart speaker brand worldwide
For the first time, Amazon's share of the global smart speaker market has dropped below 50 percent. At the same time, Apple became the fourth largest smart speaker brand worldwide thanks to the February launch of HomePod.
Calendar support may be coming to HomePod with iOS 11.4 update
HomePod will be picking up support for the stock Calendar app with iOS 11.4.
How to turn off your HomePod microphone
Unlike many other smart speakers, there is no physical switch to mute the HomePod’s microphone.
However, you can disable the always-on “Hey Siri” feature using the iPhone Home app or by asking the speaker. This turns off the microphone at the software level and stops it from always listening in on you.