14 DAY TRIAL // Apple announced today that it plans to launch its HomePod smart speaker in Canada, France, and Germany starting June 18, 2018, when customers will be able to buy the device in-stores and online.
Launched on February 9, 2018, the HomePod is Apple's first smart speaker, already available in markets across the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Engineered by Apple to deliver outstanding music quality, the HomePod is powered by Apple's A8 64-bit ARM-based system on a chip (SoC) used in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices, features a large woofer designed by Apple to offer clean and deep bass, and no less than seven beamforming tweeters for pure, high-frequency acoustics.
"HomePod combines Apple-engineered audio technology and advanced software to set a new audio quality standard for a small speaker, delivering high-fidelity sound and a wide soundstage," said Apple. "Featuring a large, Apple-designed woofer for deep, clean bass, a custom array of seven beamforming tweeters that provide pure high frequency acoustics with incredible directional control and powerful technologies built right in, HomePod is able to preserve the richness and intent of the original recordings."
HomePod now supports multi-room audio and stereo pairing
Apple also announced today that it finally enabled two long-anticipated features that the company showcased last year when it unveiled the HomePod smart speaker, multi-room audio and stereo pairing. While stereo pairing lets users join two HomePod speakers as a group for a room-filling sound experience, the multi-room audio functionality is enabled via AirPlay 2 in iOS 11.4 to let users listen to music in any room in their homes. iOS 11.4 also enables users to see what music is playing and where from the iOS Control Center on their iPhone or iPad.
If you're in the market for a smart home speaker and you like Apple's products, you'll be able to purchase the HomePod in Canada, France, and Germany beginning on Monday, June 18, 2018, from Apple's online store or in-store from a local Apple Store or an Authorized Apple Retailers. The HomePod will available for purchase in either Space Gray or White colors and costs $349 USD on Apple's website. The price in Canada, France, and Germany is yet to be announced by the company at the moment of launch next month.
