HomePod revived: Apple announces the first new full-size speaker in five years

Looks just like the old HomePod but in some ways it's new.

Apple introduced the first new HomePod two years after discounting the original model and five years after its release. It comes up with a price of $299 and a similar form factor to the first model released in 2018.

Second-generation HomePod gets new features like support for the wireless protocol Thread and the smart home standard Matter. It allows the speaker to control compatible accessories and an upgraded S7 chip first seen in the Apple Watch Series 7.

Other changes to the full-size HomePod include a sing four-inch woofer paired with five tweeters – it's down from seven in the original model. And a total of five microphones versus seven in the original.

Like the original model, the new HomePod can sense how it's situated in a room and adjust its sound depending on the position. Like the original HomePod, two speakers can be arranged into a stereo pair or used as speakers for the Apple TV 4K. It also supports spatial audio with Dolby Atmos.

This model has built-in temperature and humidity sensors that can be used as automation for smart homes. Users also could hand off music using Apple's ultra-wideband tech and Siri in HomePod can recognize up to six different voices and provide personalized responses.

Apple also says that the new HomePod will be able to use its built-in microphones to listen for smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and notify about possible fires via an iPhone.

The smaller version of the speaker, HomePod mini, will be sold alongside 'big brother'. The new HomePod has already been available to order starting today and will begin shipping on February 3rd.

The second-generation HomePod will be sold in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, and 11 other markets, according to Apple. It’ll be available in white or gray color, with a “color-matched” power cable.