Latest news with #HomePod
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Leaked Apple product timeline reveals release windows for Apple Watch Ultra 3, HomePad and AirPods Pro 3 — here's when you could get your hands on them
For those waiting for the next generation of Apple Watch Ultra smartwatches may be in luck, according to a new leak from GF Securities Hong Kong analyst Jeff Pu. Spotted by leaker Jukanlosreve, Pu had a timeline in a recent analyst note that revealed launch years for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, updated AirPods and the new HomePod, plus a few others. Here's what Pu's timeline claims is launching over the next three years. Starting this year, the timeline says that at some point this year, both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 will arrive. As with previous Apple Watches, this will likely be in the fall alongside the new iPhone 17 series. For the most part, rumors have pointed to a slightly larger display, satellite messaging and Satellite SOS messaging like on the iPhone. The big rumor circulating has been that the 11 series and Ultra 3 would finally get blood monitoring. However, based on Pu's timeline, Apple Watches with that feature won't launch until 2027, possibly later. It's a big blow for people waiting for that feature. Reportedly, Samsung might beat Apple to the punch with the Galaxy Watch 8, which is rumored to get blood glucose monitoring when it launches in July. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. For the last year, rumors of an updated Apple HomePod have been circulating pretty heavily. However, as Apple struggled to update Siri with AI capabilities, it was reported that the HomePod was being delayed, as conversational Siri is supposed to be a significant feature. There were leaks earlier this year claiming that an Apple HomePod with a display would launch in "late 2025." Pu's timeline seems to fit that window. And from it we can see it will feature at least a 6-inch display, which will likely resemble an iPad Mini. It's doubtful Apple will announce it during the iPhone 17 reveal, but perhaps later in the year by itself or alongside the new MacBook Pros that typically release in October/early November. Next year is looking far busier with Pu predicting the next-generation AirPods Pro 3 earbuds will finally release. This aligns with previous rumors pointing to a similar release year. We don't know much about these new AirPods, but they could feature a heart rate monitor ala the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. They could also come with a touch screen on the case. An Apple Watch Series 12, as expected, is on the timeline. The timeline also says a refreshed Vision Pro will launch in 2026. What that looks like is up for debate. There are rumors that Apple is working on a cheaper version of its headset, but that might be the Vision Air, which Pu's timeline puts as potentially launching in 2027 alongside smart glasses. If you thought iOS 26 was boring, it may be because Apple is setting the stage for its next foray into wearables, including Apple Glasses. And of course, the blood monitoring Apple Watch is slated for a 2027 release. We'll know how much we can trust this timeline come September, when Apple will likely announce its next smartwatches and probably later this fall for the HomePad.
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
My Kitchen HomePod is about to die — what will I replace it with?
"Hey Siri, set a ten-minute timer," I bark, as my pot of pasta reaches the boil."Hey Siri, set a timer for half an hour," I shout over the extraction fan as I slide a tray of cookies into the oven. I don't think anyone in our family could live without a smart speaker of some kind in the kitchen anymore, even if it doesn't act as a music player anymore now that we've shifted away from Apple Music. But, unfortunately, the HomePod mini that's served me faithfully is in trouble. It's been in a wet, hot, noisy environment for too long, and it's on the way out. My poor kitchen HomePod is becoming hard of hearing, and disobedient as it gets commands wrong or even downright ignores them. So what am I going to put in its place? We're not really a solely Apple home anymore, as I've ditched my iPhone for the superior audio chops of an Android handset. Siri no longer dominates our lives — so where should I go next for our kitchen audio fix? I've got a couple of the best smart speaker options in mind. My new kitchen smart speaker needs to fulfill a couple of important criteria. There needs to be at least decent sound, so that I don't have to cart a Bluetooth speaker into the kitchen when I want to cook a roast dinner. It also needs to support some form of smart assistant, but it doesn't need to be particularly smart. I'm not going to ask it for life advice, but I will ask it to manage a couple of timers and requests like "please play Between The Flesh And The Void by Deicide." It should be relatively compact, because the kitchen isn't massive. A battery would be a nice extra this time around, but I also understand that's going to be trickier. So — who's made it to the shortlist? Google's smart speaker lineup has been on my radar for some time. They're all very reasonably priced, and, by virtue of the company that makes them, they keep getting updated to support the latest Google Home features. The smallest of the bunch, the Google Home mini has been at the top of the list for HomePod mini replacements — and I'll tell you for why. It's around the same size as the smart speaker it will be replacing, and features much the same in regards to voice control. I would be able to ask the speaker for timers while I cook something, and even ask it to play music from Tidal if I link my accounts. There are some unknown quantities that put me off, however. I'm actually yet to listen to a Google Home mini (I know, I know — not great for an audio editor), so I'm not sure if I'm going to like the sound when I get it. I'm also not entirely sure about the way that it looks. At the moment, however, it's very much still in the running for kitchen addition. Google's smallest smart speaker is a great way to get Google Assistant into a living space. Ask it all the questions you normally would your phone, and it will answer without you needing to pull your screen out of your pocket. It's cheap too — a great addition to any Google smart home. The next logical step, given my family and their waning-but-still-present loyalty to the Apple brand, would be to pick up another HomePod — that could be the HomePod 2, or a new HomePod mini. There's part of me that wants to, given that my mom is finally used to using "Hey, Siri" commands and that they're easily some of the best-looking smart speakers around, but I do have my reservations. Nobody in the house uses Apple Music anymore — we've all switched to Tidal or Qobuz — so we wouldn't be able to use Siri to choose music. I've also learned after the current HomePod that their fabric surfaces don't do well when surrounded by a kitchen environment. Our white HomePod looks horrible. Yet I cannot deny the convenience of Apple's HomePod — so it stays on the list for now. Apple's 2nd-generation HomePod brings Spatial Audio with Apple Music to the table, along with a host of other smarts. Ask Siri just about anything, and she'll do it. It does only really work with Apple devices though, so that's worth bearing in mind. I like Sonos' smart speakers. They are incredibly easy to use, they generally sound pretty good, and they often feature solid battery life if they're portable. I use a Sonos Move 2 every day in my bedroom, so what would be the harm in packing one into the kitchen for timer and tunage duties? The sound would be far superior to the other options, be that the smaller Sonos Roam, a less expensive and non-portable Sonos Era 100, or the larger and portable Move 2. The integration into my Roon whole-home audio system would be a game changer, and it would look good sitting on my countertops. But, there would be some downsides. Nothing that Sonos makes is cheap, often being more expensive than even the Apple alternative, let alone the Google Home Mini. They tend not to be quite as durable either, and I'd be concerned that a rogue wooden spoon could cause issues. Yet I do find their sound to be tantalizing enough that they might be worth putting in my kitchen, so on the list they stay. The Sonos Roam 2 is the brand's smallest WiFi-connected speaker, making it perfect for smaller rooms or taking on the go. It sounds great for something so small, and features all the same great smart features as its larger cousins. Voice control, internet connection, and more. If I were going for convenience and portability above all else, then a Bose SoundLink Max or similar Bluetooth speaker might be just the ticket. Thanks to built-in batteries, I'd be able to move them around the kitchen should I need to, and they often have more rugged builds so that they can last a bit longer. Some would even support voice control when connected to a compatible device — it might mean calling out to Gemini, but there's a good chance I'd still be able to make new timers so that I don't burn my fresh batch of bakewell tarts. But there would be some issues. The Bluetooth speakers that would fit the bill are all a bit more expensive, and they'd lack the WiFi connection that would make them smart. They'd have to be turned on and off, whereas the other options on the list live in permanent standby, awaiting my command. A Bluetooth speaker might not be the perfect alternative, but there are some good reasons that one might replace my stricken HomePod. The Bose SoundLink Max is loud and proud — and it sounds good too. Bluetooth connection makes it a solid way to listen to music, and rugged build makes sure it'll survive anything life might throw at it. It's not cheap, but it's very good. At the moment, I'm veering towards another HomePod alike — most likely the Google Home mini. Sound quality is not the utmost importance in the kitchen, and its smart features seem like the most useful thing to me and my family. But I can't help but be tempted by the alternatives. Maybe I'll end up putting speakers in the ceiling, and relying on a more integrated setup. Although that would likely cost the earth. Still, one can dream...
Android Authority
4 days ago
- Android Authority
Apple could be coming for your Nest Hub with the HomePad
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority TL;DR A leak suggests Apple's long-rumored 'HomePod with a display' will launch this year as the 'HomePad.' Per previous leaks, the HomePad smart home hub could feature a touchscreen, camera, rechargeable battery, and Apple Intelligence support. This new device could offer a touch-friendly smart home hub interface and challenge existing ecosystems like Google Home. Over the past several months, we've seen plenty of exasperated smart home owners frustrated by how their once-functional Google Home-centered smart home appears to be getting dumber and dumber over time. Simple commands break at random, leaving users annoyed and disappointed. Many are keen to jump ship, but the alternatives aren't too great either. This could change in the coming months, as a new leak has reiterated Apple's intention to compete in the smart home space. Analyst Jeff Pu has shared an expected Apple Product Timeline note with investors (h/t Jukanlosreve on X). For 2025, the analyst expects Apple to release the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. No AirPods release is expected for this year, but a 'HomePad 6-inch' is noted in the Other category. Apple has long been rumored to be working on a 'HomePod with a display,' but this seems to be the first time we're hearing a marketing moniker associated with the product. Apple has neither confirmed the product's existence nor its name, but calling it the HomePad makes a lot of sense — it's a mix between the iPad and the HomePod, and the 'Home' moniker firmly places it as a smart display rather than an iPad variant. The naming here also indicates that the device will have a 6-inch display, though some leaks in the past have suggested a 7-inch display. Either way, this could be smaller than the iPad mini's 8.3-inch display. Previous leaks have suggested that this 'HomePod with a display,' aka the 'HomePad,' will launch in Q3 2025. Apple is rumored to be working on a specialized interface for smart home functions. Other features expected on the device include a camera, a rechargeable battery, and support for Apple Intelligence. Jeff Pu's leak also mentions that we could see the Apple Watch Series 12, AirPods Pro 3, and the Vision Pro 2 in 2026. For 2027 and beyond, Apple's plans are said to include an Apple Watch with blood monitoring, a cheaper Vision Air, and smart glasses. Sam Smart / Android Authority Apple's entry into the smart display segment will hopefully bring more options to exasperated Google Home users. While switching a smart home across ecosystems is a monumental task, it's not impossible, especially for people who are frustrated enough. Apple's HomePod only gave users the option of using Siri for voice commands and then defaulting to their iPhones or iPads to control their smart home, so this upcoming HomePod device will add another touch-friendly interaction medium for smart homes, one that is intended to excel at the job. Even if users don't jump at the option, the product will undoubtedly add competition in the smart speaker space, forcing the current players to pick up the slack. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
The Verge
12-06-2025
- The Verge
It could be 2026 before all your Thread border routers work together
There's finally some good news for anyone battling multiple Thread networks while using Matter devices in their smart home — as long as you're the patient type. According to Matter Alpha, the tvOS 26 beta announced at WWDC this week adds Thread 1.4 to Apple TVs. And, as Apple's smart speakers use a fork of tvOS, it's likely that the upcoming HomePod OS 26 will include 1.4 as well. Thread 1.4 brings a standard way for Thread border routers, such as Apple TVs and HomePods, to join an existing Thread network, fixing the problem where border routers from different manufacturers set up separate networks when they join your smart home. 'We're seeing a great shift toward Thread 1.4 among some major device, platform, and border router vendors,' Thread Group VP of marketing Ann Olivo told The Verge. But, with tvOS 26 not arriving until the fall, and Google and Amazon's adoption of Thread 1.4 coming next year at the earliest, those of us who like to mix and match our smart home hardware — maybe you have an Apple TV, an Eero router, and a Google Nest Hub — will have to wait until at least 2026 for a more stable and speedier smart home. Released in September 2024, Thread 1.4 is the latest specification of the smart home protocol that Matter runs on. Thread offers a low-power, low-bandwidth mesh networking protocol designed specifically for IoT devices like lights, locks, sensors, and more. The 1.4 spec dictates that when a border router is added, it will join the existing Thread network versus creating a new one — regardless of brand or platform. So, for example, your new Echo Show 8 would join the network already created by your Apple TV. Thread-powered devices require a Thread border router to connect to the internet. Today, there are several options for border routers, including the newest Apple TVs and HomePods, higher-end Echo and Google Nest smart speakers, and some Wi-Fi routers, including Eeros. If you have a few of these devices, they may set up separate Thread networks, which can cause issues. The biggest being that you lose the extended range and reliability benefits of a unified mesh network. I currently have nine Thread networks running in my home. Samsung SmartThings has created three. My Nest network includes most of my HomePods and my Google TV streamer; my Apple network has a newer Apple TV and a Nanoleaf border router in it. I have three separate Eero networks, one with Eero devices in it and the other two with Echo devices in them. While my setup is not typical (I test smart home devices for a living), it does demonstrate what a mess this can create. Older versions of Thread are being sunsetted to speed up the transition. 'Thread 1.3 certification applications for Thread Border Routers will close December 31, 2025,' Olivo confirmed. 'As of Jan. 1, 2026, Thread 1.4 will be the only specification available for Thread Border Router certification.' With Apple poised to implement Thread 1.4 this fall with tvOS 26, I checked in with Google, Amazon, and Samsung to see where they were at. All are still on 1.3. However, Mark Benson, head of SmartThings US, said Samsung's border routers will be on 1.4 'later this year.' Amazon spokesperson Melanie Garvey said they will bring support for 1.4 'across compatible devices next year.' Alex Sakhartchouk, a software engineer at Google Home, confirmed that they are actively working toward adding support for Thread 1.4 'in the future.' 'As of Jan. 1, 2026, Thread 1.4 will be the only specification available for Thread Border Router certification.' Sakhartchouk added that Google Nest Thread border routers already 'do our best' to join existing networks by integrating with mobile Thread credential storage APIs on Android and iOS. Meaning, when you set them up with your smartphone, they should share credentials with an existing border router using the phone. 'We share our credentials via these same mobile APIs to allow others to join our networks,' he said. This worked for me — when I set up the Google TV streamer, it joined my existing Apple Thread network. While mobile credential sharing helps today, and the Wi-Fi router-based solution put in place by the Connectivity Standards Alliance in Matter 1.4 could help at some point, the most straightforward fix is border routers communicating with each other. This should have been the approach from day one — but it looks like we'll have to be patient a while longer.
Engadget
12-06-2025
- Business
- Engadget
The Sonos Era 300 is $90 off in this home speaker sale
A number of Sonos speakers are on sale right now at Sonos direct and Amazon. his includes the well-regarded Era 300 smart speaker, which is on sale for $359. This particular model is one of Sonos' newest, and it has rarely gone on sale in the past. We enjoyed the Era 300 enough to give it a score of 80 in our review. It has excellent sound quality and offers a premium experience that far surpasses other products in the company's lineup, even the Era 100. This is also true when compared to rival speakers like Apple's HomePod. It's simple to set up and offers the company's proprietary Trueplay tuning system. This feature optimizes the sound of the speaker to the unique acoustics of a room by leveraging an internal microphone. It measures how sound reflects off surfaces and adjusts the EQ to match. It's pretty nifty. As for connectivity, it can pair with another Era 300 speaker for a true stereo experience. It also includes a Bluetooth receiver and line-in options. Of course, the speaker integrates with just about every streaming music service. The built-in mic also allows for voice assistant control, but only with Siri and Alexa. Google Assistant is left out of the party. This speaker goes all-in on spatial audio, and the results are mixed. Sometimes it's sublime and sometimes it's kind of eh. This is more of a dig on the technology itself. It has serious potential but is still experiencing growing pains. The only real downside of this speaker is the exorbitant asking price, which has been slightly alleviated by this sale. As previously mentioned, other Sonos products are available at a discount. This includes the Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar, which is 26 percent off at $369, and the Era 100, which is down to $179. These deals are also available via Sonos itself. There's also an ongoing sale on portable speakers that includes the Move 2 and the Roam 2. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice .
