Apple begins new HomePod deliveries and in-store pickups across North America

As it did earlier today across Europe, Apple has started deliveries for the new second-generation HomePod, with customers able to purchase the speaker in-store beginning today across North America.

Priced at $299, the new 2nd-generation HomePod features enhanced Siri capabilities, support for Spatial Audio, the S7 chip, and more.

Unlike the previous-generation, the new 2nd-generation HomePod features an edge to edge backlit touch surface, retaining the mesh fabric found on the original model in two colours: white and midnight, a new colour made with 100 percent recycled mesh fabric, with a colour-matched woven power cable.

Apple’s new HomePod features a four-inch high-excursion woofer, five tweeters, four microphones, an S7 chip for computational audio, and support for Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos.

Apple touts that with Sound Recognition on the new HomePod, which will be enabled with a future software update, the speaker can listen for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and send a notification directly to the user’s iPhone if a sound is identified.

A new built-in temperature and humidity sensor can measure indoor environments, so users can create automations that close the blinds or turn on the fan automatically when a certain temperature is reached in a room.