Apple HomePod is now discontinued

Apple has officially discontinued the big and pricey HomePod. The company is choosing to shift its focus to the smaller and newer HomePod mini. But the company promises to provide HomePod customers access to software updates, service, and support through Apple Care.

Here's a statement from the company: "HomePod mini has been a hit since its debut last fall, offering customers amazing sound, an intelligent assistant, and smart home control all for just $99. We are focusing our efforts on HomePod mini. We are discontinuing the original HomePod, it will continue to be available while supplies last through the Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple will provide HomePod customers with software updates and service and support through Apple Care."

Source: TechCrunch

Apple HomePod, HomePod mini get Pandora integration

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For the first time, Apple allows the integration of a third-party music service with its HomePod and HomePod mini. The first app to get said support is Pandora, which, unfortunately, isn't available here. An update to Pandora's iOS app will let users connect it to the HomePod. With a few simple taps, they can give the app permission to work with the speaker. So, they can ask Siri to play stations from Pandora directly on the speaker. Before, AirPlay 2 was needed to send audio from the app to the HomePod. 

Now, users can even set Pandora as your default music service in the iOS Home app. Amazon Music was another app that Apple teased could work with the Apple smart speakers. So, that's something we might be able to take advantage of. Engadget writes that developers could integrate this feature into their apps. So, even with Spotify's history with Apple, there's a possibility Spotify can implement this feature.

Report claims Apple still working on over-ear headphones, plans another HomePod speaker

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Aside from plans to revamp the AirPods, Apple is reportedly working on its other audio offerings. Bloomberg reports that its rumoured over-ear headphones is still in the works. Its design has been changed to reduce the size of the external touch pads and the amount of swappable parts. It might retain the replaceable ear pads but not the headband. The headphones were supposed to enter production a few weeks ago. But it had to be pushed back because of issues with the headband being too tight.

The company is also supposedly discussing plans to release another HomePod that sits between HomrPod and HomePod mini, price-wise. But this speaker is reportedly still in development, and it might not even be released. But we're keeping an eye out for it, in case it does get launched.

Apple HomePod update adds Canadian French support, among other new Siri-related features

Apple’s HomePod speaker recently got a software update that brings some useful new features to it. One is that it now gets support for Canadian French in Canada and Spanish in the U.S., Spain, and Mexico. On top of this, you can now ask Siri to do more. You can now ask it to search songs by lyrics (in English), set multiple timers, make or receive calls, help locate your iPhone with Find My iPhone feature, and access Siri Shortcuts. An example Apple gives is, you can say “Hey Siri, good morning” and it can go through your morning routine and do things like “order coffee from a coffee shop’s app, turn on the kitchen lights from the Home app, and share the first few calendar appointments for the day—all with one simple, customizable command.”