HomePod (2018)

The original HomePod combined a home speaker, A8-based acoustic processing and Siri control; its 2017 announcement preceded retail sales in 2018.

Specs

Launch and context

Apple introduced it on June 5, 2017. Retail availability began on February 9, 2018 in the US, UK and Australia, with orders from January 26. US pricing was $349, in white or space gray. Spain and Mexico followed on October 26, 2018; Apple announced a Spanish price of €349. There was no single worldwide on-sale date. [hp17, hp18-launch, hp18-spain]

How Apple presented it

Apple positioned it around music: a high-excursion woofer, seven tweeters and six microphones for Siri, with sound adjusted to placement in the room. A8 handled acoustic modeling, beamforming and echo cancellation. Siri offered music, messages, timers and HomeKit control. Apple Music required a subscription. Stereo pairing and multiroom audio were announced for a later 2018 software update, rather than already available at the February launch. [hp18-launch]

Documented issues

Apple warns that the silicone base can leave mild marks on some wooden surfaces through oil diffusion, not a defect affecting every table or speaker. It recommends another surface if this is a concern. HomePod is for indoor use and requires mains power. A stereo pair requires two of the same HomePod model: first and second generations cannot form that pair together. Siri features, music services and compatibility depend on software and region; the original announcement does not establish their availability today. [hp-care, hp-stereo, hp18-spec]

Sources

• hp-care · Apple, Cleaning and taking care of HomePod (2024-01-12) · https://support.apple.com/en-us/101610
• hp-stereo · Apple, Set up a HomePod stereo pair · https://support.apple.com/guide/homepod/set-up-a-homepod-stereo-pair-apd1ed62a52a/homepod
• hp17 · Apple, HomePod reinvents music in the home (2017-06-05) · https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2017/06/homepod-reinvents-music-in-the-home/
• hp18-launch · Apple, HomePod arrives February 9 (2018-01-23) · https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/01/homepod-arrives-february-9-available-to-order-this-friday/
• hp18-spain · Apple, El HomePod añade nuevas prestaciones e idiomas de Siri (2018-09-12) · https://www.apple.com/es/newsroom/2018/09/homepod-adds-new-features-and-siri-languages/
• hp18-spec · Apple, HomePod first generation specifications · https://support.apple.com/en-us/111994

More from the same family

Updated: October 26, 2026 · Compare this product