{"id":27610,"date":"2018-03-19T09:43:11","date_gmt":"2018-03-19T13:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/?p=27610"},"modified":"2018-03-07T09:55:39","modified_gmt":"2018-03-07T14:55:39","slug":"10-things-you-need-to-know-about-apples-new-homepod-speaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-apples-new-homepod-speaker\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things You Need to Know about Apple\u2019s New HomePod Speaker"},"content":{"rendered":"

After months of anticipation, Apple\u2019s new HomePod smart speaker finally shipped in mid-February. As of March 19th, Computer Advantage will be officially selling the HomePod. Reviews of its audio quality have been positive, and for the most part, it works both as advertised and as you\u2019d expect. However, there were some surprises, most good but some bad. Whether you have a HomePod on your credenza (which may be a bad spot for it!) or you\u2019re still deciding if you want to buy one, here are ten things you should know:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Furniture rings. <\/b>Let\u2019s get this one out of the way. The HomePod can leave rings on oil-finished wood furniture because the silicone base can react with certain wooden surfaces<\/a>. That has to be embarrassing for a company that prides itself on materials expertise like Apple. The solution is easy\u2014just put something under it.<\/li>\n
  2. Single user.<\/b> Anyone in the room can give Siri commands, but when it comes to account-based connections, the HomePod is a single-user device. So if you set it up, which is astonishingly easy, it will connect to your Apple Music account, your iMessage account, your iCloud account for Reminders, and so on. That\u2019s fine for you, but your family members won\u2019t be able to access their Apple Music playlists, for instance.<\/li>\n
  3. Speakerphone.<\/b> The HomePod may be the best speakerphone you\u2019ve ever used. Alas, you can\u2019t initiate a call on it, but once you start one on your iPhone, you can transfer the call by tapping the new Audio button that replaced the Speaker button in iOS 11.2.5 and selecting the HomePod.\n

    \"\" <\/li>\n

  4. Apple Music.<\/b> The HomePod can act as an AirPlay speaker, and can thus play audio from your other Apple devices. But when you control it via Siri, the music must come from Apple Music, your iTunes Store purchases, or be matched in your iCloud Music Library. To send Mac audio from apps other than iTunes to the HomePod, get Rogue Amoeba\u2019s Airfoil<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  5. Audio power.<\/b> It may be small, but the HomePod has plenty of power. At 6 feet, we measured the sound output at 100% volume at 80 decibels, which is louder than is comfortable.<\/li>\n
  6. Volume control.<\/b> Speaking of volume, you control it by percentages, as in \u201cHey Siri, set the volume to 15 percent.\u201d You can also tap the + and \u2013 buttons on the top of the HomePod to adjust the volume in 5% increments.<\/li>\n
  7. Electrical usage.<\/b> The HomePod may be turned on all the time\u2014it has no power switch\u2014but it uses very little electricity. In our testing, it used 2.5 to 3 watts when it was idle but has been used recently, and 4 to 7 watts when playing. Leave it alone in a quiet room for a while, and its power usage drops to 0 watts with just an occasional 1.5-watt spike.<\/li>\n
  8. Good listener.<\/b> The HomePod hears your commands remarkably well, even when it\u2019s playing music at a high volume. You shouldn\u2019t have to shout at it.<\/li>\n
  9. Hey Siri.<\/b> If you\u2019re within earshot of a HomePod and want to give Siri a command on your iPhone or Apple Watch, don\u2019t say \u201cHey Siri\u201d right away. Instead, to use your iPhone, unlock it first. Or, to use your Apple Watch, raise your wrist. Apple has an explanation of how Hey Siri works with multiple devices<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  10. Apple TV.<\/b> You can play audio from your Apple TV through your HomePod. On the main screen of the Apple TV, press and hold the Play\/Pause button on the Siri Remote, and then select the HomePod before playing a show. Or, while playing video, swipe down on the Siri Remote, swipe right to select Audio, and then select your HomePod in the Speaker list.\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Once you\u2019ve transferred audio to the HomePod, you can use Hey Siri commands to pause and play the Apple TV content, change volume, and even rewind and fast-forward by a certain amount of time (\u201cHey Siri, rewind 10 seconds\u201d). However, other things that Siri on the Apple TV can do, like tell you who stars in a movie, work only when you press and hold the Siri button on the Siri Remote.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Much as the HomePod works well right now, it stands to improve in the coming year. Apple plans to release software updates that will enable two HomePods in the same room to provide true stereo sound, and that will let you control multiple HomePods simultaneously for multi-room audio.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Social Media:<\/b> Apple\u2019s new HomePod smart speaker is garnering praise for its audio quality, but did you know it can work as a speakerphone or outboard speaker for your Apple TV? Read on for other important pros and cons to the HomePod.<\/p>\n

    Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    After months of anticipation, Apple\u2019s new HomePod smart speaker finally shipped in mid-February. As of March 19th, Computer Advantage will be officially selling the HomePod. Reviews of its audio quality have been positive, and for the most part, it works both as advertised and as you\u2019d expect. However, there were some surprises, most good but […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[157,302,193,66,56,194,39,264,52,105,196,62,79],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-apple-pros","category-apple-tv","category-apros-archive","category-article","category-asmc","category-asmc-archive","category-blog","category-homepod","category-iphone","category-maintenance","category-restricted-content","category-siri","category-solution"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6YLEm-7bk","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":27540,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/apples-homepod-smart-speaker-coming-soon\/","url_meta":{"origin":27610,"position":0},"title":"Apple\u2019s HomePod Smart Speaker Coming Soon","author":"computeradv","date":"February 5, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Move over, Amazon Echo and Google Home, there\u2019s a new smart speaker coming soon. First announced back in June of 2017, Apple\u2019s long-awaited HomePod will ship in the US, UK, and Australia on February 9th for $349. You can get it in space gray or white. Where Amazon and Google\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Apple Pros"","block_context":{"text":"Apple Pros","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/apple-pros\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/HomePod-internals-1024x947.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/HomePod-internals-1024x947.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/HomePod-internals-1024x947.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/HomePod-internals-1024x947.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27993,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/how-to-make-the-most-of-apples-new-airplay-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":27610,"position":1},"title":"How to Make the Most of Apple\u2019s New AirPlay 2","author":"computeradv","date":"July 11, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"For many years now, Apple\u2019s AirPlay feature has made it possible to stream audio from an iOS device or Mac to an AirPlay-enabled speaker, AirPort Express base station, or most recently, a HomePod. Because AirPlay transfers sound over a Wi-Fi network, it eliminates the need for stereo wires and lets\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AirPlay"","block_context":{"text":"AirPlay","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/airplay\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/HomePod-pairing-1024x973.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/HomePod-pairing-1024x973.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/HomePod-pairing-1024x973.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/HomePod-pairing-1024x973.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26727,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/new-apple-products-now-and-new-os-offerings-in-the-fall\/","url_meta":{"origin":27610,"position":2},"title":"New Apple products now and new OS offerings in the fall.","author":"computeradv","date":"June 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Apple did it. Upgraded iMacs and faster MacBook Pros were among the buzz on June 5, 2017. The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is the stage for Apple to excite developers and prepare the world for new product releases. They didn't disappoint. Apple relayed\u00a0six primary announcements with plenty of interesting details\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Desktop"","block_context":{"text":"Desktop","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/products\/mac\/mac-desktop\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"MacBook Pro with touchbar","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MacBook-Pro-photo-1080x675.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27892,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/what-os-version-are-you-running-heres-how-to-find-out\/","url_meta":{"origin":27610,"position":3},"title":"What OS Version Are You Running? Here\u2019s How to Find Out.","author":"computeradv","date":"June 12, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"In Troubleshooting 101, one of the first questions is always, \u201cWhat version of the operating system are you running?\u201d There\u2019s a big difference between Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and macOS 10.13 High Sierra, and the solution to any particular problem will likely revolve around knowing what operating system\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AirPods"","block_context":{"text":"AirPods","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/airpods\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Which-OS-Mac-1024x619.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Which-OS-Mac-1024x619.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Which-OS-Mac-1024x619.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26734,"url":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/apple-wows-at-wwdc-with-the-new-homepod-imacs-ipad-pros-and-oses\/","url_meta":{"origin":27610,"position":4},"title":"Apple Wows at WWDC with the New HomePod, iMacs, iPad Pros, and OSes","author":"computeradv","date":"June 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Apple used the keynote address at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in early June to unveil new versions of macOS, iOS, and watchOS, new iMacs and faster notebooks, and new iPad Pros. In a \u201cone last thing\u201d announcement that hearkened back to the days of Steve Jobs, the company\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Apple Watch"","block_context":{"text":"Apple Watch","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/apple-watch\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tcn.tidbits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/HomePod-black.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":28287,"url":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/the-best-apple-related-gifts-for-2018\/","url_meta":{"origin":27610,"position":5},"title":"The Best Apple-Related Gifts for 2018","author":"computeradv","date":"November 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Black Friday and the start of the holiday shopping seasons are nearly upon us. If you\u2019re looking for gift ideas for your Apple-using loved ones, we have a few suggestions that are guaranteed to be popular. Apple Watch The new Apple Watch Series 4 may be the gift hit of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AirPods"","block_context":{"text":"AirPods","link":"http:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/category\/airpods\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/gift-guide-Apple-Watch-Series-4-fall-607x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/gift-guide-Apple-Watch-Series-4-fall-607x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/gift-guide-Apple-Watch-Series-4-fall-607x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27610"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27610\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.computeradvantage.us\/v3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}