HomePod receives FCC approval, hinting at imminent launch
Apple has finally received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), giving the company the final green light to begin selling the device.
Launching in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia for $349, the new home speaker will allow users to use “Hey Siri” to play music, send voice commands and control HomeKit accessories.
The new speaker will use an Apple-designed 4-inch woofer powered by Apple’s A8 chip; the HomePod is cased in a mesh with a display at the top that shows the familiar Siri icon when a user prompts the device. HomePod will be able to play music, read the news, send and receive iMessages, set reminders, listen to Podcasts, provide answers to general questions, check the weather and perform many other tasks.
The Apple Post exclusively reported earlier this month that FCC approval still hadn’t been granted for the Siri speaker, and that without approval Apple is unable to sell any radio-transmitting devices in the United States.
Since the introduction of HomePod back in June, Apple’s webpage has included the following footnote clearly stating FCC approval had not been obtained:
This device has not been authorised as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorisation is obtained.