Apple iPad Pro 10.5 vs iPad Pro 9.7: Should you upgrade?

Apple unveiled several new devices at WWDC 2017, one of which was an update in specs to the iPad Pro 12.9, while another was a slightly redesigned and upgraded successor to the iPad Pro 9.7.

We have put the specs of the new, larger, iPad Pro 10.5 against the older iPad Pro 9.7 to see what the differences are and what changes have been made. Should you upgrade your 9.7-inch iPad Pro to the 10.5-incher? And which should you opt for if you’re choosing between the two smaller iPad Pros?

• Apple iPad Pro 10.5 preview
• Apple iPad Pro 9.7 review

Apple iPad Pro 10.5 vs iPad Pro 9.7: Design

• iPad Pro 10.5 is larger and heavier
• Both come in additional rose gold colour
• Both offer four-speaker setup and Smart Connector

The Apple iPad Pro 9.7 measures 240 x 169.6 x 6.1mm and weighs 437g, which is identical to the older iPad Air 2. It comes in four colours, features Touch ID within the Home button and it is a thin, light, well-proportioned and well-balanced tablet.

The Apple iPad Pro 10.5 on the other hand, is a little larger and heavier than its predecessor, measuring 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1mm and weighing 469g. It too comes in four colours, comprising space grey, silver, gold and rose gold, and it features the same design as the model it replaces only with a 40 per cent reduction in the bezels around the display. 

Both the Apple iPad Pro 9.7 and the iPad Pro 10.5 feature a four-speaker setup, a Smart Connector on the rear and compatibility with the Apple Pencil and Apple Smart Keyboard for working on the move.

• Apple iPad Pro 10.5 vs iPad Pro 12.9: What’s the difference?

Apple iPad Pro 10.5 vs iPad Pro 9.7: Display

• iPad Pro 10.5 has 20 per cent larger display
• Brighter, less reflective display on iPad Pro 10.5
• Support for higher refresh rate of 120Hz on iPad Pro 10.5

The Apple iPad Pro 9.7 and iPad Pro 10.5 both sit in the middle of the iPad line up when it comes to size. The older model has a 9.7-inch display, while the newer model opts for a 20 per cent larger 10.5-inch display, meaning both are sandwiched between the 7.9-inch screen of the iPad mini and the 12.9-inch size of the larger iPad Pro.

The iPad Pro 9.7 has a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, while the iPad Pro 10.5 has a 2224 x 1668 resolution, resulting in the same pixel densities of 264ppi. The two devices also offer Apple’s True Tone display, adapting the colour and intensity of the display to match the light in your environment, while a fingerprint-resistant and anti-reflective coating is also present and a P3 wide colour gamut. 

The iPad Pro 10.5 doesn’t stop there though. Apple claims it offers the most advanced display in the world and it is said to be brighter, less reflective and more responsive thanks to the support for the faster 120Hz refresh rate. This means that while the iPad Pro 9.7’s screen is excellent, the 10.5-inch device is likely to offer noticeable improvements, especially in terms of a smoother and more fluid experience from both your finger and Apple Pencil.

• What is Apple’s True Tone display?

Apple iPad Pro 10.5 vs iPad Pro 9.7: Camera

• iPad Pro 10.5 has improved front and rear cameras
• Flash available for front and rear on both 
• Both capable of recording 4K video from rear

The iPad Pro 9.7 offers the same cameras as the iPhone 6S. There is a 12-megapixel rear sensor capable of 4K video recording and a 5-megapixel front-facing snapper. A True Tone flash is also present on the rear and a Retina flash is featured on the front, again like the iPhone 6S.

The iPad Pro 10.5 on the other hand, features the same cameras as the iPhone 7, meaning improvements over the iPad Pro 9.7. A 12-megapixel rear sensor is still present but advancements have been made. It offers a Quad-LED True Tone flash, f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilisation to name but a few.

On the front, the resolution sees a bump to 7-megapixels on the iPad Pro 10.5, though like the iPad Pro 9.7, a Retina Flash is present again. It is capable of 1080p video recording however, while the iPad Pro 9.7 tops out at 720p.

Regardless of what you think about using an iPad as a camera, the iPad Pro 9.7 is a great performer so the iPad Pro 10.5 is likely to be even better.

Apple iPad Pro 10.5 vs iPad Pro 9.7: Hardware

• More storage options with iPad Pro 10.5
• Faster processor with iPad Pro 10.5
• Same sound capabilities on both models

The Apple iPad Pro 9.7 features the A9X chip with M9 motion coprocessor under its hood and when it launched, it was as quick and fast as tablets came. Storage options comprise 32GB, 128GB and 256GB, for both Wi-Fi and Cellular and there is no microSD support, as is the case with all Apple devices.

The iPad Pro 10.5 upgrades these specs though, as you would expect. It comes with the A10X Fusion processor with M10 motion coprocessor and Apple has said it will be 30 per cent faster in performance and 40 per cent faster in graphics than its smaller predecessor. Storage options are also different, with the 10.5-incher offered in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB variants.

Both the iPad Pro 9.7 and the iPad Pro 10.5 are said to offer up to 10 hours of battery life and they both offer that four-speaker setup meaning a more rounded sound compared to the slightly tinny audio produced by the much older Air 2.

Apple iPad Pro 10.5 vs iPad Pro 9.7: Software

• Both run iOS 10

Both the Apple iPad Pro 9.7 and the iPad Pro 10.5 run on iOS 10, meaning the software experience will be almost identical across these two models until iOS 11 launches in September.

We are presuming all the new and exciting features announced for iOS 11, such as Drag and Drop, easier split-screen functionality and the Files system will come to both the iPad Pro 9.7 and the iPad Pro 10.5. It’s worth mentioning that because of the faster refresh rate on the new model, the experience is likely to be smoother and quicker than on the older model however so bear that in mind.

• Apple iOS 10 tips and tricks

Apple iPad Pro 10.5 vs iPad Pro 9.7: Price

• iPad Pro 9.7 is around £80 cheaper
• iPad Pro 9.7 discontinued from Apple

The Apple iPad Pro 9.7 had a starting price of £549 stretching to £849 for the highest storage capacity and Wi-Fi and Cellular when it first arrived. It has since been discontinued from Apple, though it can still be bought on other sites, such as Amazon, for around £535.

The iPad Pro 10.5 is more expensive, starting at £619 and hitting £1019 for the largest storage capacity and Wi-Fi and Cellular. Remember that the highest storage capacity is double that of the iPad Pro 9.7, hence the huge price difference at the top end.

Apple iPad Pro 10.5 vs iPad Pro 9.7: Conclusion

The iPad Pro 9.7-inch is an excellent tablet that brought a number of improvements over the Air 2 including sound, Apple Pencil compatibility, camera and processing power. When it launched, it was Apple’s highest-specced tablet yet, though it did come at a price and now the same applies to the iPad Pro 10.5.

The succeeding model offers a bump in hardware, a bump in storage, but more perhaps more importantly, big advancements in display. The bezels have been reduced resulting in a larger screen size without too much of an increase in footprint, while the support for the faster refresh rate should make a big difference to overall experience. 

If you’re in the market for an iPad and you’re choosing between these two devices, the 10.5-inch model is a no brainer. If you’re considering upgrading from the iPad Pro 9.7 to the iPad Pro 10.5, you are likely to notice a difference in both performance and display experience but whether you think they warrant the splurge is your call to make.

• Apple iPad Pro 9.7 review: The tablet to beat all tablets
• Apple iPad Pro 10.5 preview: A new iPad brings new tricks
• Which iPad is best for you?

Cozmo preview: The Anki robot friend comes to the UK at last

Anki’s Cozmo robot has been a double-edged sword for UK families. It offers some exciting features, has huge buzz online and is peerless in terms of its interactions. However, it is only available in the US.

Until today, that is. Anki just announced the date and price for Cozmo coming this side of the pond. It launches in Argos and on the anki.com site on 15th September for £199.99.

Not only that, but there will be a special edition “Liquid Metal” version of Cozmo available at the same time. We had an exclusive hands on with Cozmo’s new metal brother in Anki’s London offices.

The first thing that strikes you about the new Cozmo is how shiny and metallic it is. In place of (what we’ll now call) Classic Cozmo’s matt white decals are a range of metallic finishes that accentuate Comzo’s curves.

In grey Cozmo looks more like he means business. The press release calls it Liquid Metal but this Cozmo looks like he takes a lead from gun metal. Either way, in the hand or on the table the new Cozmo looks great.

While this is only a refresh of the exterior, spending more time with Cozmo reveals that he has come a long way since the launch version we tried at the end of last year. Not only have updates improved performance and smoothed the user experience but he has some new tricks now too.

Pick Cozmo up and shake him and he’ll get dizzy. If Cozmo spots a dog or a cat he will react to what he sees. He will also play hide and seek with you if you catch him in the right mood. He can even catch hiccups.

These enhancements comes via the free Cozmo app. Here you can see how you are progressing with Cozmo, download updates and spend sparks to unlock new abilities.

This is all great, but there’s no hiding the fact that Cozmo isn’t cheap. At £199.99 in the UK, families are going to have to be really convinced this is more than a passing fad to invest.

Here, Cozmo has some very neat tricks up his sleeve. Chief among these is the SDK. This not only let’s you programme him with special moves but you can access his full robotic repertoire. Unlike 80s tech toys like Big Track or the BBC Turtle, Cozmo is controlled through his personality and emotions.

This takes children into proper A.I. and robotics territory. Much like the Kinect SDK granted access to high end visual recognition, Cozmo’s SDK does the same with robotics. In fact, universities are already buying Cozmo’s be the box load to use as part of their robotics curriculum.

First Impressions

If you have children keen to get into programming, Cozmo is a great way to get them started. In a quick test we were shown, Cozmo was hooked up to the Twitter API and could tweet pictures from his camera. All this was achieved with just a few lines of code in less than an hour.

Whether you go for the Classic white Cozmo or his new grey brother, this is one tech toy that will keep the family not just entertained but educated as well.

Hyperloop One reveals its plans for connecting Europe

One of Hyperloop One’s smartest ideas was the Global Challenge, a “competition” where cities could pitch for the honor of hosting a Hyperloop. From the suggestions, the company then produced a shortlist of routes that were both technically feasible and economically viable. We’ve already seen the candidate cities in the US, and now the company has revealed its thinking for Hyperloop corridors across Europe.

There are nine potential routes being considered on that side of the Atlantic, running from a 90km hop to connect Estonia and Finland, through to a 1,991km pan-German route. The UK, which has a love / hate relationship with rail travel, gets three proposed routes: one to connect its Northern Cities, one to connect the North and South, and one to connect Scotland with Wales.

Several of the routes, including ones between Estonia and Finland, Corsica to Sardinia and Spain – Morocco, all cross bodies of water. The company has, on several occasions, spoke of its love of tunnels, and plans to use them extensively in construction. Although rather than using tunneling machines, which can be slow, submerged box tunnels or archimedes bridges may be cheaper and faster to build.

But that’s probably a series of engineering challenges that go above and beyond simply getting the Hyperloop itself working. Perhaps the company would be wise to ensure its system works on more conventional journeys before getting into the tunnel business. Perhaps, by that point, Elon Musk will have some expertise that’s relevant to everyone’s interests.

Mophie’s cases add wireless charging to iPhone 7 and Galaxy S8

Mophie’s cases provide a quick way to add wireless charging capabilities to iPhones and Samsung Galaxy S devices, and now they’re available for the models’ latest iterations. The accessories maker has released charge force cases for the iPhone 7, 7 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus. These leather-wrapped cases are compatible not only with any Mophie wireless charger, but also with Qi and other wireless charging systems. Just put one on your phone if you don’t feel like messing with wires, though note that it still leaves access to your device’s charging port.

Mophie has also released a mini charge force powerstation, which is essentially a wireless power bank. It’s a 3,000 mAh battery unit that sticks to a charge force case using magnets, so you can replenish your phone’s battery anywhere. Since it’s slim and wireless, it doesn’t add much bulk to your phone — you can still slip the whole thing into your pocket or a small purse.

The iPhone 7 cases are now available in black, tan, brown, blue and (PRODUCT)RED, but you can unfortunately only get black if you have a Galaxy S8 or an S8 Plus. You can get any of the cases and the powerstation mini from Mophie’s website.

Source: Mophie

The Apple Pencil case won’t save you from losing it

iPad Pro users, take note: Apple has released what might be the most Apple product in the history of Apple. One of the announcements to slip through the cracks during that intense WWDC keynote yesterday was the introduction of a $29 holder for the iPad Pencil.

The functionality of this Pencil holster is questionable, but the form is on point. Like any Apple product, it’s well-constructed and clearly a lot of thought was put into the design. It comes in four colors and is made of leather. It’s important to note you can’t actually use the Pencil when it’s in the holster: This is a protective holder, not a usable case.

The one-pencil holster is even more puzzling when you consider that Apple also released leather sleeves for the iPad Pro line that have built in Pencil holders. The only real point to a holder would be to avoid losing it — so, then, why wouldn’t you buy one that’s already attached to a case? Are people really that concerned about getting scratches on their stylus? (I mean Pencil, whoops!)

While we might be scratching our heads at why a person might want a standalone pencil protector, Apple clearly thinks there’s a market for it. And considering Apple spent a ton amount of time reviewing new iPad features at WWDC, it’s clear they value the product and think consumers will want to protect it.

Via: The Verge

Don’t compare Apple’s HomePod to Amazon’s Echo

When Apple unveiled the HomePod at WWDC, it was tempting to draw immediate comparisons to the Amazon Echo and Google Home. And I wouldn’t blame you if you did. They’re all smart speakers, of course, and there’s a good chance that you might cross-shop them in the right circumstances. However, it’s increasingly clear that a one-for-one comparison doesn’t hold up. If anything, Apple is consciously avoiding direct competition with Echo-like speakers — it’s playing up its strong point, audio quality, while downplaying the importance of its AI assistant. This strategy certainly has its risks, but it may also help the HomePod stand out where it would otherwise drown in a sea of rivals.

Most smart speakers you see today are really AI helpers first and foremost. They’re there to tell you about the weather, turn on the lights and guide you through recipes. And they can be extremely useful in that light — you can check the news while your hands are covered in flour. However, music playback is… well, not an afterthought, but definitely lower on the ladder. While you can obviously play tunes on an Echo or Home, you aren’t going to buy one expecting more than passable sound quality.

The HomePod is the flip side of that coin. Apple spent most of its introduction time emphasizing the HomePod’s audio prowess, treating Siri’s help as almost secondary. In fact, it first pitched Siri as a “musicologist” that helps you discover new artists. Smart home control? The weather? They’re available, but you’re not buying a HomePod primarily with those in mind. Apple didn’t even hint at support for third-party skills, so you shouldn’t expect it to handle more than a limited range of tasks.

As a result, this isn’t so much an Echo-alike as it is a Sonos speaker on steroids. And the price reflects that — the $349 price makes it roughly twice as expensive as the $180 Echo, and nearly three times as costly as the $120 Home. That will rule it out if you’re just looking for a low-cost voice assistant, but it looks much more favorable if you’re pitting it against wireless speakers like the Play:3. You’re getting a high-quality speaker (based on our initial listen, at least) that, for a little more cash, offers some proper smarts. Why would you even look at a standard Echo if you’re shopping in this price range and care about audio fidelity?

To be clear, this isn’t Apple’s surefire ticket to success. There’s a real possibility that voice assistants become mainstays in the living room, and that the HomePod’s combination of a music-first focus and a high price will make it an outlier in the long run. Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant are both decidedly more flexible than Siri (we certainly wouldn’t count on Apple offering Spotify support soon, if at all), and it remains to be seen how many people really want to pay $349 to get a smart speaker with above-average sound. The more affordable Echo might be fine for many people so long as the audio quality isn’t atrocious.

This isn’t even considering Amazon’s ace in the hole, the $50 Echo Dot. If you aren’t concerned about having an all-in-one device, why not get the speakers of your choice and slap a Dot on top? Add-ons aren’t Apple’s style, but it may lose customers who don’t insist on an elegant solution.

Still, the HomePod may represent Apple’s wisest course of action in the short term. If it had attacked Amazon and Google head-on, it would have endured some less-than-flattering comparisons. It doesn’t completely escape those side-by-side examinations even now, but it’s much easier to see the HomePod as distinct. Also, it’s important to stress that you’re looking at a first-generation product. It’s possible that Apple will find more ways to separate its speaker from the crowd, or at least to address its weaknesses compared to lower-cost alternatives.

The big danger is simply that opponents aren’t staying still. If Amazon or Google gets serious about sound quality in future models, you’d be more justified in making direct comparisons. And if that happens, Apple would need to do more than flaunt its speaker design chops.

Get all the latest news from WWDC 2017 here!

Pokémon fighter ‘Pokken’ is coming to Nintendo Switch

Nintendo is bringing a Pokémon game to the Switch, but it’s not the one you were hoping for. Fighting game Pokken Tournament, which lets you throw down as Gengar, Blaziken and a bunch of other critters (you can even fight as Pikachu in a libre wrestling outfit), will be hitting the system on September 22, 2017. Like Mario Kart 8, it’ll be branded DX (Deluxe) and come with a few enhancements for Pokefans. These include Darkrai, Scizor, Empoleon, Croagunk, and Decidueye, as well as three-on-three team battles, online ranked matches and friend-only group fights.

Otherwise, it’s the same game that came out on the Wii U a little over a year ago. With the Switch, of course, you can take it on the move, and you’ll have the option to play with a pair of Joy-Cons shared between two people. Seasoned players will no doubt prefer a proper gamepad, but it’s a neat option if your friends don’t own the game or Nintendo’s latest system. The company had a few more surprises during today’s Nintendo Direct, but none of them were Pokémon Stars, the much-rumored Pokémon Sun and Moon port for Nintendo Switch. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll get that at E3.

Macs Able to Run macOS Sierra Remain Compatible With High Sierra

Apple on Monday announced macOS High Sierra, the next major version of its operating system for Mac computers.

macOS High Sierra is compatible with any Mac capable of running macOS Sierra, as Apple has not dropped support for any older models this year.

The official list of Mac models compatible with macOS High Sierra:

Late 2009 or Later

• MacBook
• iMac / iMac Pro

2010 or Later

• MacBook Air
• MacBook Pro
• Mac mini
• Mac Pro

To determine your Mac’s model year, click on the Apple logo in the top-left menu bar and select About This Mac.

The first macOS High Sierra beta was released to registered Apple developers on Monday. A public beta will be available in late June through the Apple Beta Software Program. The software update will be officially released in the fall.

Related Roundup: macOS High Sierra
Discuss this article in our forums

iPhone Can Scan QR Codes Directly in Camera App on iOS 11

The iOS Camera app will finally be able to recognize QR codes within iOS 11, as was discovered yesterday during the developer-focused beta launch of Apple’s new mobile operating system. On current iterations of iOS, users have to find and download a third-party QR code scanning application if they wish to use their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to scan a code.

When iOS 11 launches in the fall, the Camera app will natively provide a QR scanning function to all users. Some beta users have taken to Twitter to share a glimpse of the feature in action, and it appears expectedly straightforward: open the Camera app, point the iOS device at a QR code, and tap on the drop-down notification to act upon it.

A few examples of iOS 11 QR code scanning via @daytonlowell and @theronster

The QR code reader in iOS 11 knows when it’s a WiFi network and offers to join. pic.twitter.com/pCHwGi1abF

— Dayton Lowell (@daytonlowell) June 5, 2017

Some examples that have been shared include joining a Wi-Fi network, adding someone to your contacts, and — presumably — any other scanning opportunities currently offered by QR code technology. The feature is turned on by default, but can be toggled on/off within the Camera section of the Settings app.

Check out the MacRumors iOS 11 tidbits post for more information about what can be found in the newest version of iOS.

Related Roundups: iPhone 7, iOS 11
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple HomePod preview: Say hello to Apple’s smart Siri speaker

Apple has once again entered the speaker market launching the Apple HomePod, a speaker with Siri built-in that plans to take on not only the Amazon Echo and Google Home but advanced systems like Sonos too.

Apple wants to deliver not only a connected smart speaker, but wants to address one of the biggest weaknesses in current solutions: sound quality.

Apple is something of a latecomer, but does it have what it takes to challenge an already crowded market?

Apple HomePod: Design

• 172 x 143mm, barrel shaped, 2.5kg
• Mesh covered for 360 degree sound
• Flattened top with touch controls and Siri waveform

The cylindrical speaker coved in a mesh fabric promises to put music at the forefront of the experience. The 7-inch tall speaker will come in either white or space grey and feature an array of speakers to create a well-rounded balance of treble and bass regardless of where you place it in the room.

A single power cable comes out the bottom, while a touch sensitive display panel on the top shows volume controls when needed, as well as a glowing rainbow of lights when Siri is responding to your commands or questions.

There are resemblances to the company’s cylindrical Mac Pro computer, although it’s not as big, or as shiny. Like Google Home and Amazon Echo, this is a speaker that is designed to sit in any environment, be it the bedroom or the kitchen, and it’s a design that works from all angles. It’s as clean as it is simple, although it will be interesting to see if you can see the Siri lights clearly enough from various positions in the room.

Amazon solved this problem with a clean circle light around the top of the echo, while Google angled the top of Google Home.

Apple HomePod: A self-tuning speaker

• Sound adapts based on speaker placement
• 6 microphones

Turn the speaker on and it will automatically tune itself to maximise performance based on its positioning in the room. Unlike Sonos that requires you to wave your phone around to create a better “sound landscape” using its TruePlay technology, Apple says that the speaker sends out an array of sounds and then uses the six built-in microphones to hear how those sounds reverberate around the room.

It means that you should have the “perfect sounding” speaker whatever room you’re using it in and it won’t matter if you place it on a table in the centre of the room or in a corner, the sound will be adapted to make sure you get the best results out of it. It certainly sounded great when we heard the speaker for the first time.

Apple HomePod: Sound performance

• 4-inch up-firing central woofer
• 7 tweeters
• Adaptive software to reduce distortion

The Apple HomePod will allow users to sign directly into Apple Music or stream other music services like Spotify via Apple’s AirPlay 2 technology. In that sense, it’s a little less connected than its rivals, with a strong preference for Apple Music as the source, which you’d expect. What the HomePod really targeting sound quality over its current rivals, it’s here that most of the interest will lie.

Up against the Amazon Echo – which doesn’t have a music pedigree – there is a clear winner, the Apple HomePod sounds better. At twice the price you would expect this to be the case and Apple clearly stated that was its intention. Amazon’s popular speaker is great for listening to that radio and having fun with Alexa, but it’s no match for the likes of a Sonos Play:1 or a UE Boom 2 for example.

Pocket-lint

Against something like the Sonos Play:3, a connected speaker that’s closer to the size of the HomePod, it’s a slightly different story. Initial thoughts are that the HomePod sounds livelier, with a wider soundscape, but we also feel that we would need to listen to more songs for longer to make a more rounded appraisal. Listening to an array of tracks by Norah Jones, The Eagles and Kendrick Lemar, the HomePod does feel substantial.

It’s probably a fairer comparison to pitch the HomePod against the Naim Mu-so Qb. A cracking speaker that delivers a beautiful sound, something which we are sure Apple would happily be compared to. Regardless of which device you compare the new speaker to, it’s clear that it sounds very good and its approach to sound will appeal to many, regardless of the music type they listen to. We look forward to testing it more substantially in the future.

Like the Sonos Play:3 and many other speakers, you can pair two HomePods to create a stereo pair although Apple confirmed on stage that there is much more to it than just simply acting as a left and right channel and we’re sure this will be a popular option for those wanting to fill a larger space with sound.

Apple HomePod: Siri integration

Beyond aiming to be a great speaker, Apple has included an A8 processor, as found in the iPhone 6 to manage a lot of the heavy lifting and power Siri. It means that, like the Echo and Google Home, you’ll be able to use AI and access Siri via the HomePod speaker to ask questions, issue smart home commands, or merely control the music.

Users will be able to give commands like “Hey Siri, I like this song” and Siri will act on that information and respond accordingly learning preferences the range of tracks available in Apple Music.

Siri can also handle advanced searches within the music library, so users can ask questions like “Hey Siri, who’s the drummer in this?” or create a shared Up Next queue with everyone in the home.

When you aren’t asking about music you can control all the HomeKit-enabled devices in your home, turning on lights, creating scenes, and suchlike. And like Apple TV, the HomePod can act as a home hub, providing remote access and home automations through the Home app on iPhone or iPad.

First Impressions

From what we’ve experienced so far, the Apple HomePod not only looks good, but more importantly, the speaker sounds good too, especially when you push the boat out and pair two together. Of course with Apple’s acquisition of Beats and its music history with iTunes you would expect that.

Apple will be fighting a battle on many fronts, against smart speakers and market leaders like Sonos who dominates the multiroom speaker experience. When it comes to sound quality, first impressions are that Apple has done a good job, which might be more worrying for established speaker makers who are looking to get more connected. With Apple’s native and seamless support, it’s going to be a popular choice for Apple Music users.

In the smart speaker race, Amazon – Google Home perhaps less so – but the HomePod could be the missing part in Apple establishing HomeKit dominance in the smart home. Amazon’s advantage isn’t in sound quality, it’s in the sheer number of services that Alexa can offer, which is where Siri becomes important. The rate at which third-parties can establish that connection becomes critical, because Alexa is already very linked up.

Apple suggested that the HomePod had been 4 years in the making. Priced at $349, it’s less of an impulse buy than the Amazon Echo, but it could be the next big Apple success.