PRESS RELEASE
January 18, 2023

Apple introduces the new HomePod with breakthrough sound and intelligence.

Delivering incredible audio quality, enhanced Siri capabilities, and a
safe and secure smart home experience

https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2023/01/apple-introduces-the-new-homepod-with-breakthrough-sound-and-intelligence/


--
David

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 20/01/2023 23:26, David Brooks wrote:

PRESS RELEASE
January 18, 2023

Apple introduces the new HomePod with breakthrough sound and intelligence.

Delivering incredible audio quality, enhanced Siri capabilities, and a
safe and secure smart home experience

https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2023/01/apple-introduces-the-new-homepod-with-breakthrough-sound-and-intelligence/

"Users can also create a stereo pair with two HomePod speakers in the
same space. (3) In addition to separating the left and right channels, a
stereo pair plays each channel in perfect harmony, creating a wider,
more immersive soundstage than traditional stereo speakers for a truly
standout listening experience."

if you have two and ask Siri a question, which one answers ?

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 21/01/2023 12:18, Andrew wrote:

On 20/01/2023 23:26, David Brooks wrote:

PRESS RELEASE
January 18, 2023

Apple introduces the new HomePod with breakthrough sound and
intelligence.

Delivering incredible audio quality, enhanced Siri capabilities, and a
safe and secure smart home experience

https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2023/01/apple-introduces-the-new-homepod-with-breakthrough-sound-and-intelligence/

"Users can also create a stereo pair with two HomePod speakers in the
same space. (3) In addition to separating the left and right channels, a stereo pair plays each channel in perfect harmony, creating a wider,
more immersive soundstage than traditional stereo speakers for a truly standout listening experience."

if you have two and ask Siri a question, which one answers ?

They argue amongst themselves.
--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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In article <tqgmub$2jl9i$2@dont-email.me>, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

if you have two and ask Siri a question, which one answers ?

They argue amongst themselves.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmINGWsyWX0>

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 21/01/2023 13:05, nospam wrote:

In article <tqgmub$2jl9i$2@dont-email.me>, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

if you have two and ask Siri a question, which one answers ?

They argue amongst themselves.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmINGWsyWX0>

Told you!
--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 21/01/2023 12:48, Graeme Wall wrote:

On 21/01/2023 12:18, Andrew wrote:

On 20/01/2023 23:26, David Brooks wrote:

PRESS RELEASE
January 18, 2023

Apple introduces the new HomePod with breakthrough sound and
intelligence.

Delivering incredible audio quality, enhanced Siri capabilities, and
a safe and secure smart home experience

https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2023/01/apple-introduces-the-new-homepod-with-breakthrough-sound-and-intelligence/

"Users can also create a stereo pair with two HomePod speakers in the
same space. (3) In addition to separating the left and right channels,
a stereo pair plays each channel in perfect harmony, creating a wider,
more immersive soundstage than traditional stereo speakers for a truly
standout listening experience."

if you have two and ask Siri a question, which one answers ?

They argue amongst themselves.

I was in a John Lewis store once and the Sonos rep was in there
extolling the room-filling sound virtues of a Sonos speaker
that was just one box.

I asked him how it managed to create a stereo image and after
a short pause, he replied that it had two speakers (woofer plus
tweeter). He said it in a way that made me believe that he
actually believed it.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 21 Jan 2023 at 13:05:18 GMT, "nospam" <nospam@nospam.invalid> wrote:

In article <tqgmub$2jl9i$2@dont-email.me>, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

if you have two and ask Siri a question, which one answers ?

They argue amongst themselves.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmINGWsyWX0>

Shows why this is all bollocks.

--
Tim

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 21 Jan 2023 at 12:18:53 GMT, "Andrew"
<Andrew97d-junk@mybtinternet.com> wrote:

On 20/01/2023 23:26, David Brooks wrote:

PRESS RELEASE
January 18, 2023

Apple introduces the new HomePod with breakthrough sound and intelligence. >>
Delivering incredible audio quality, enhanced Siri capabilities, and a
safe and secure smart home experience

https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2023/01/apple-introduces-the-new-homepod-with-breakthrough-sound-and-intelligence/

"Users can also create a stereo pair with two HomePod speakers in the
same space. (3) In addition to separating the left and right channels, a stereo pair plays each channel in perfect harmony, creating a wider,
more immersive soundstage than traditional stereo speakers for a truly standout listening experience."

if you have two and ask Siri a question, which one answers ?

I don't know about the Apples, but Alexas in a stereo set or even in
different rooms just work out amongst themselves who got the most
processable voice call on the wakeup word and that one sets itself to
prime for this conversation. The others stop paying attention to *you*,
but can be talked to by someone else simultaneously. Basically they do
what you'd expect.

Cheers - Jaimie

--
"It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I
have been searching for evidence which could support this" -- Bertrand Russell

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Andrew <Andrew97d-junk@mybtinternet.com> wrote:

On 20/01/2023 23:26, David Brooks wrote:

PRESS RELEASE
January 18, 2023

Apple introduces the new HomePod with breakthrough sound and intelligence. >>
Delivering incredible audio quality, enhanced Siri capabilities, and a
safe and secure smart home experience

https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2023/01/apple-introduces-the-new-homepod-with-breakthrough-sound-and-intelligence/

"Users can also create a stereo pair with two HomePod speakers in the
same space. (3) In addition to separating the left and right channels, a stereo pair plays each channel in perfect harmony, creating a wider,
more immersive soundstage than traditional stereo speakers for a truly standout listening experience."

Yes, I have two HomePod Minis in my lounge for just that purpose. For their size, they work very well, and sound good as a stereo pair. They connect to
any device I choose, using Airplay, although I have them as the default
speaker for my Apple TV (then I just Airplay to the AppleTV instead).

Of course it’s not like a pair of Celestions with a Naim amp, but in
context, they are excellent.

O also use a Behringer device with my Technics Turntable, and an old iPhone
6S to Airplay from. That’s pretty OK too. Again, not as nice as the NAD+Tannoy combo I was using before, but it ain’t arf tidied up the lounge (no big speakers, and less cables running around the room).

if you have two and ask Siri a question, which one answers ?

The one that picks up the human voice.

--
Andy H

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Andy Hewitt <thewildrover@icloud.com> wrote:

[...]

O also use a Behringer device with my Technics Turntable,
and an old iPhone 6S to Airplay from. That's pretty OK too.

This is interesting, could you expand on it please? In particular,
which Behringer device and how do you connect it?

[...]

--
^Ï^. Sn!pe – My pet rock Gordon just is.

"Germany is the leading European Power."
~ Slava Ukraini ~

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Sn!pe <snipeco.2@gmail.com> wrote:

Andy Hewitt <thewildrover@icloud.com> wrote:

[...]

O also use a Behringer device with my Technics Turntable,
and an old iPhone 6S to Airplay from. That's pretty OK too.

This is interesting, could you expand on it please? In particular,
which Behringer device and how do you connect it?

[...]

It’s a Behringer UFO202 (about £17 on Amazon). It has a Phono amp in it,
but can be switched to line in as well. The setup works as:

Technics SL1800 turntable (with an Audio Technica elliptical
cartridge/stylus) into the Behringer UFO202, that connects to the iPhone, I
use a Lightning/USB minhub so I can supply power as well as the signal.

You need some software, the only one available for stereo is Airchord 2
(which is in Beta for now, and available using TestFlight). Do a search on Reddit for more info on that.

You can use GarageBand if you don’t need stereo, apparently it doesn’t work with Airplay 2 (which you need for a stereo pair of HomePods).

However, I modified my setup slightly. I wasn’t quite as happy as I wanted with the output from the Behringer, so I put the NAD 7020 back into the cabinet, and I just use the Phono amp part of that, and send the signal
back to the Behringer using the Tape record connection. Of course that’s switched into ‘Line’ mode. It’s not a massive difference, but it is noticeable.

But, if you just want to play some records, and want a better sound than
some of the cheap oriental plasticky things available, this should do the
job.

Despite the fact you’re converting analogue sound into Digital, it does
still sound ‘different’ to straight digital from the Music store, and is worth the bother, IMHO. There can sometimes be an immersive sound that
fills the room, and is not replicated with the fully digital route. Some
Jean Michel Jarre really demonstrates this well.

Hope that helps.

--
Andy H

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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Andy Hewitt <thewildrover@icloud.com> wrote:

Sn!pe <snipeco.2@gmail.com> wrote:

Andy Hewitt <thewildrover@icloud.com> wrote:

[...]

O also use a Behringer device with my Technics Turntable,
and an old iPhone 6S to Airplay from. That's pretty OK too.

This is interesting, could you expand on it please? In particular,
which Behringer device and how do you connect it?

[...]

It's a Behringer UFO202 (about £17 on Amazon). It has a Phono amp in it,
but can be switched to line in as well. The setup works as:

Technics SL1800 turntable (with an Audio Technica elliptical cartridge/stylus) into the Behringer UFO202, that connects to the iPhone, I use a Lightning/USB minhub so I can supply power as well as the signal.

You need some software, the only one available for stereo is Airchord 2 (which is in Beta for now, and available using TestFlight). Do a search on Reddit for more info on that.

You can use GarageBand if you don't need stereo, apparently it doesn't work with Airplay 2 (which you need for a stereo pair of HomePods).

However, I modified my setup slightly. I wasn't quite as happy as I wanted with the output from the Behringer, so I put the NAD 7020 back into the cabinet, and I just use the Phono amp part of that, and send the signal
back to the Behringer using the Tape record connection. Of course that's switched into 'Line' mode. It's not a massive difference, but it is noticeable.

But, if you just want to play some records, and want a better sound than
some of the cheap oriental plasticky things available, this should do the job.

Despite the fact you're converting analogue sound into Digital, it does
still sound 'different' to straight digital from the Music store, and is worth the bother, IMHO. There can sometimes be an immersive sound that
fills the room, and is not replicated with the fully digital route. Some
Jean Michel Jarre really demonstrates this well.

Hope that helps.

It does, thank you, Andy.
I'll do some more research, it sounds very useful.

--
^Ï^. Sn!pe – My pet rock Gordon just is.

"Germany is the leading European Power."
~ Slava Ukraini ~

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On 21 Jan 2023, Andy Hewitt wrote
(in article <tqh49l$2lsiu$1@dont-email.me>):

Yes, I have two HomePod Minis in my lounge for just that purpose. For their size, they work very well, and sound good as a stereo pair. They connect to any device I choose, using Airplay, although I have them as the default speaker for my Apple TV (then I just Airplay to the AppleTV instead).

I'm still wedded to my iPhone SE (1st gen), which won't work with HomePods,
but my iPad mini 5 will. Thoughts?

MST

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Martin S Taylor <correspondence@mRaErMtOiVnEsTtHaIySlor.com> wrote:

On 21 Jan 2023, Andy Hewitt wrote
(in article <tqh49l$2lsiu$1@dont-email.me>):

Yes, I have two HomePod Minis in my lounge for just that purpose. For their >> size, they work very well, and sound good as a stereo pair. They connect to >> any device I choose, using Airplay, although I have them as the default
speaker for my Apple TV (then I just Airplay to the AppleTV instead).

I'm still wedded to my iPhone SE (1st gen), which won't work with HomePods, but my iPad mini 5 will. Thoughts?

Nothing really, I have an iPhone 6S which does connect fine, and I thought
that had the same basic internals as the SE1.

Is it compatible with Airplay 2? Perhaps that’s the problem. That is needed if you have a stereo pair, have you tried it on a single speaker? (Just to
see if it does work at all).

--
Andy H

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On 21 Jan 2023, Jaimie Vandenbergh wrote
(in article <k32herFtvakU1@mid.individual.net>):

I don't know about the Apples, but Alexas in a stereo set or even in different rooms just work out amongst themselves who got the most
processable voice call on the wakeup word and that one sets itself to
prime for this conversation. The others stop paying attention to *you*,
but can be talked to by someone else simultaneously. Basically they do
what you'd expect.

They -try- to, but they’re not good at it.

I have an original HomePod in my kitchen, a Mini in the conservatory, an
iPhone and an Apple Watch. I also do rowing exercises. The rowing machine is
in the conservatory, and is monitored by the iPhone via a bluetooth pulley
with heart rate information supplied by the watch. The kitchen HomePod is
about four meters away through an interior window, the iPhone is mounted on
the rowing machine, the watch is on my wrist, the Mini is about a foot to my right.

With me?

So “Hey Siri”. And watch chaos unfold.

Sometimes it’s the phone. Sometimes it starts on the phone but immediately passes it to the kitchen. Sometimes it’s the Mini. And sometimes, but more rarely, it’s the watch randomly sparking into life. Result? I’ve more or less totally given up trying to use Siri when I’m rowing.

Cheers,
Ian

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