Apple’s HomePod and HomePod Mini are the Cupertino giant’s Siri-enabled smart home speakers. They’re designed to work with your iOS devices, Apple Music, and HomeKit, but they’re also Siri-enabled, so you can use them as a voice assistant.
What’s the difference between HomePod and HomePod Mini?
On the surface, the key difference between the standard HomePod and the HomePod Mini is size. The good old HomePod is the bigger of the two, with a size that says, “I’m here to deliver sound, and I mean business.” In contrast, the HomePod Mini is more of a miniature version, packing a punch in a much smaller package. But don’t let the size fool you. Both versions kick out great sound. Sure, the HomePod offers deeper bass and more complex soundscapes, but the HomePod Mini holds its own with still-impressive audio for its teeny size and lower price.
How to Set up Apple HomePod
In typical Apple fashion, setting these babies up is a breeze. Just follow these steps:
- Plug in your HomePod or HomePod Mini.
- Bring your iPhone or iPad close to the device. You’ll see a pop-up showing a picture of your spiffy new HomePod. Tap ‘Set Up’.
- You’ll then select which room your HomePod will grace with its presence.
- Now enable or disable ‘Personal Requests’ – this controls whether your HomePod can read messages, add reminders, or create notes when your iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi network. Choose wisely unless you enjoy living on the edge.
- Finally, transfer settings from your Apple account to your HomePod. These include Wi-Fi settings, Apple ID, and Siri preferences. Voila! Your smart home just got smarter.
Does HomePod work with Android?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to set up any of the HomePod devices without an iOS device. So, ensure you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch before clicking that ‘add to cart’ button.
Apple’s HomePod.
HomePods as Apple HomeKit Hub
A home hub is necessary to use your HomeKit or Matter accessories while you’re away from the house, or to share control of your accessories with family, and automate your accessories to do what you want, when you want. You must set up a home hub to add Matter accessories to the Apple Home app. If you’re looking to use the HomePods as a hub for your Apple HomeKit, then you’re in luck. There aren’t any additional steps in getting this set up. You just need to ensure the following requirements are met:
- iCloud Keychain and Two-Factor Authentication are turned on in your Apple HomeKit’s primary iCloud account.
- The HomePod is designated as a primary user, not just an invited guest to the Apple HomeKit.
- The HomePod and iOS devices connected to them are updated to the latest software versions
Should I get Apple HomePod?
Let’s not sugarcoat things, folks. These Apple HomePods have many great features, but they’ve got a few downsides, too. They sound phenomenal and integrate seamlessly with other Apple products, and Siri is getting smarter with every software update.
However, if you’re an Android user or heavily invested in another ecosystem, the HomePods kind of give you the cold shoulder. They typically don’t play well with other systems, such as Google Home and Alexa systems. Plus, they aren’t exactly the cheapest smart speakers on the block, either.
In the end, the HomePods are just like iPhones – beautifully designed pieces of technological hardware behind Apple’s walled garden of an ecosystem. If you’re an Apple user, then they’re the best smart speakers you can buy for casual music listening.
Get Apple HomePod at Best Buy or check current pricing.
Get Apple HomePod MINI at Best Buy or check current pricing.
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