It has been quite a few years since Apple first launched the (now-defunct) HomePod, but the old smart speaker has been given a revival. The second generation HomePod retails for $299, and it offers some serious improvements over the original. Not only does it bring enhanced audio quality, but there are plenty of other upgrades that make it much better than its older sibling. Here’s a closer look at all the differences (and similarities) between the original HomePod and HomePod 2023. When compared side by side, you won’t notice many differences between the two HomePods. The new HomePod is about 200 grams lighter than the original model and is a couple of millimeters shorter, but overall the two are very similar. The touchpad on top of the HomePod 2023 is also a bit larger and now extends almost all the way to the edge of the device. Beyond those minor differences, they both sport an oblong design and come in multiple colors. The original HomePod sounded great — and its successor sounds even better. With a 4-inch high-excursion woofer, five horn-loaded tweeters, and support for Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, Apple is positioning this to be one of the best-sounding smart speakers on the market. It’s also running the S7 chip, which should help it utilize room-sensing technology to optimize its performance. Matter is the tech to watch in 2023, and Apple made sure the new HomePod supports the interoperability standard. That means you’ll be able to connect your HomePod with anything else that supports Matter — a list that continues to grow larger every week. Like the outgoing HomePod, this one also features Siri support. You can give it a wide variety of commands to carry out, and since the smart speaker is built with four powerful microphones, it’ll hear your commands loud and clear. It can also hear smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and send notifications to your smartphone. And just like the cheaper HomePod mini, the HomePod comes with a temperature and humidity sensor. Rounding out its list of notable features is support for Ultra Wideband, which will allow the HomePod 2023 to detect and quickly sync with the rest of your smart home. The new HomePod is compatible with Apple TV, and it can share content with other products in the Apple library (such as iPhone or iPad). So, if you have any of those devices lying around your home, picking up the HomePod could be a great choice as it’ll easily integrate with your existing setup. The original HomePod is no longer for sale. The goes on sale February 3 and retails for $299. The Yale Assure Lock 2 and Lockly Vision Elite are among the best smart locks on the market. One offers a streamlined design and multiple formats, while the other is packed with features that make it an all-in-one powerhouse. Rest assured — you can’t go wrong choosing either product. But there are some big differences between the two, and one is likely a better fit for your preferences than the other. With that in mind, here’s a closer look at the Yale Assure Lock 2 vs. Lockly Vision Elite. From pricing and design to installation and notable features, we’ll cover everything you need to know before making a purchase. Summer is just around the corner, and Dreo is gearing up for its arrival by launching several new smart devices. Some products are available now, while others will arrive within the next few months, though all are specifically designed to help you stay cool and improve your indoor air quality. The Dreo Summer 2025 lineup includes fans, portable air conditioners, air purifiers, and humidifiers, most of which are bundled with useful smart features to improve their performance and give you easy ways to control their settings. The most premium of the bunch is the Dreo Portable Air Conditioner 319S — its 10,000 BTU system is powerful, quiet, and drainage-free, making it an excellent way to cool your home. It also works with both Google and Alexa, and voice controls are supported for ease of use. There have been a number of rumors suggesting Apple is working on a smart home display to rival that of Google’s Nest Hub and Amazon’s Echo Show. The speculation suggested the device would be controlled by Siri and could look similar to a HomePod with an iPad as its screen. This device was initially expected to be revealed this year, with some of the first reports claiming it would arrive in the first half, though it was then said to be delayed towards the end of the year, possibly arriving around the same time as the iPhone 17 series. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.
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