The Apple HomePod is set to hit the market later this year. Source: Billboard

Apple is expected to launch a brand new device dubbed HomePod. HomePod will rival Amazon’s Echo speaker and it will have similar features, including the voice of Siri. The device was announced in San Jose during the WWDC annual developer event organized by the smartphone giant. The HomePod is set to hit the market later this year and the aim according to Apple is to offer HomePod as a speaker that can also double up as a personal assistant. The speaker will be seven inches tall and will be covered in cloth to hide a wide array of speakers inside.

The speaker will also be able to play music in all directions, but what really makes it interesting is the fact that HomePod will be aware of its surroundings. Therefore, the sound coming from the speaker will be directed accordingly. The speaker will be powered by Apple Music and will connect directly once it’s on. And that is not all. The HomePod will also pack a set of six microphones tucked away under the cloth layer.

Apple’s HomePod will, of course, have Siri. Source: Trusted Reviews

This is essential because it will enable the speaker to work with Siri and execute common commands as instructed. According to Phil Schiller at Apple, the microphones will be so effective that it wouldn’t matter whether the music is loud or not, users can speak directly to the HomePod and it will oblige. Schiller also went on to refer to the inbuilt Siri inside the HomePod as the musicologist that users can explore in enjoying their favorite songs. This will especially be ideal because it gives users the power to control the music and play whatever they want without having to touch or tune the device.

Just say it and Siri will play it. But that is not the only thing the speaker can do. Just like Amazon’s Echo, HomePod will also give you control to additional HomeKit devices including the Phillips Hue lighting, and any other smart device that you have around. Siri will get the command executed for you in no time. Let’s say you have a smart device that controls kitchen lights at home. All you have to do to turn them on is to say “Hey Siri, turn on the kitchen lights”. This is a very similar feature found on the Google Speaker/Personal Assistant known as Home.

The Apple HomePod is sure to hit the market by storm. Source: BGR

The roll out later this year will be very interesting. There are already such speakers in the market today with practically the same functions like the Amazon’s Echo. However, it will be great to see some diversity and there’s no doubt that Apple will come with a clear strategy to win over new users. The speaker is quite innovative and the only complaints people may have is why Apple didn’t launch it sooner. Siri integration, in particular, will be a good add-on and maybe the HomePod might just be good enough to outpace other similar products in the market.