the connected speaker that makes you want to listen to music

The strong points of the HomePod

With the HomePod, Apple is Apple and offers a perfectly finished product. Under the mesh that surrounds the enclosure, we quickly notice the very important weight of the product: 2.5 kg. Once the HomePod is installed, it is less impacted by any vibrations. The device is compact (17.2 cm high and 14.2 cm wide) and can be placed on a small surface. Plugged in, the HomePod displays the multicolored wave specific to Siri, the most beautiful effect. It is reminiscent of the eyes of the robot EVE, seen in the animated film Wall-E, itself inspired by Apple products. The loop is complete

• A childlike setup

It took us about a minute between the time we plugged in the HomePod and the moment he played his first song. The configuration system is very similar to that of AirPods. Once turned on, the device connects to the iPhone, on which a window appears. Then just follow a few basic steps. In this game, Apple dominates its competitors head and shoulders. And the first impression is far from negligible when it comes to a product still unpublished.

• A great sound, everywhere in the room

Once the setup was complete, we were amazed by the sound quality of the HomePod. Despite its small size, the speaker is able to output a sound of impressive power. Even when increasing the volume to the maximum – strongly discouraged in apartment – the distortion is very low. Apple promised a lot of bbad. The HomePod does not disappoint

The main strength of HomePod lies in the spatialization of sound. The speaker badyzes the piece continuously, thanks to the A8 processor (found on the iPhone 6). It will cancel the different echoes and override obstacles. Even placed near a wall, the HomePod gave us complete satisfaction. Unlike other speakers connected very good – including the Sonos One, the HomePod broadcasts 360 degrees.

By placing itself in front of the two speakers, the difference in sound quality is not not flagrant (despite a lower rate at Sonos). But while walking in the room, the sound of HomePod remains the same, unlike that of competing speakers. In everyday life, this advantage is important, especially for those who listen to music from the bottom of their sofa as from an armchair. Note that two HomePods can be used in the same room for stereo sound. Here again, the diffusion is perfectly balanced. Rather expensive (700 euros), this configuration should be suitable for those who like to organize great parties.

• Microphones impressive

If the musical functions can be controlled by the iPhone or by physical buttons, the essential of the interaction with the HomePod is done by voice. On the Amazon Echo as on the Google Home, virtual badistants sometimes have trouble responding, especially when challenged in the middle. The HomePod does not suffer from this defect. Even at a very loud level, there is no need to raise your voice to be heard. The efficiency of the six integrated microphones is formidable. A not insignificant point for a speaker with voice control.

• More personal data

Revived by the scandal Facebook – Cambridge Analytica the debate on personal data is necessarily a product whose operation is based on the installation of several microphones in its interior. At Google, what we say is used to refine the advertising we are targeting. At Amazon, Alexa feeds on our words to offer us new items for sale. Unlike its two rivals, Apple earns money through its products and not through our personal data. According to the company, all that is pronounced "is encrypted and sent anonymously to Apple servers."

The weak points of the HomePod

• 100% Apple compatibility

Should we be surprised Apple comes out with a closed ecosystem? No, but it is necessary to report it. To afford the HomePod is to marry Apple Music, Apple's music streaming service. A service of very good quality, which is distinguished – among others – by playlists made "by hand" by local teams. Do you prefer Spotify, Deezer or SoundCloud? It will have to go your way. Do you have an Android smartphone? The HomePod is not for you

• Siri still very limited

After a week of use, we first used the HomePod to listen to music. We have tried other things, but apart from weather announcements and domotic functions that only concern a minority of users, Siri does not really have the weapons to change our lives. In the field, the most effective remains Amazon, which allows all developers to offer their own functions for its connected speaker. This is not the case at Apple. The most striking defect is the impossibility of launching the radio of his choice without his smartphone. For a speaker to 349 euros, it's a pity.

• A price higher than its competitors

As often, Apple launches a product more expensive than the competition. If we look at the connected features, the Google Home (149 euros) and Amazon Echo (99.99 euros) are much more accessible. At comparable audio quality, the Sonos One – compatible with Alexa, the voice badistant of Amazon – only costs "only" 229 euros.

Conclusion

After an experiment of several days, we warmly recommend the HomePod … under many conditions: subscribe to Apple Music, have an iPhone and accept the limits set by Apple – including the radio. Beyond these constraints, the HomePod fulfills all the promises of Apple. Thanks to Siri and his excellent sound quality, he regularly made us want to listen to a piece of music on the fly, that we might not have launched on a conventional speaker. Unlike its competitors, Apple does not promise wonders of artificial intelligence. This has the merit of not causing disappointment.