There are boatloads of smart speakers out there, but nothing quite like HomePod. Like many Apple products that came before it, HomePod is here to revolutionize an industry. It’s certainly not first to market, but Cupertino’s plan is to make all HomePod competitors insignificant. The new Apple smart speaker uses cutting-edge technology that delivers outstanding sound quality to do just that.
In this week’s issue, you’ll find that story and more. Learn how ‘Hey Siri’ works with HomePod and other devices. Don’t miss Cult of Mac Watch Store’s big President’s Day Weekend Sale, here you can save up to 20 percent on great bands and accessories for Apple Watch. Get your free subscription to Cult of Mac Magazine from iTunes. Or read on for this week’s top stories.
Cult of Mac Magazine, Issue 232
HomePod sounds great, but you’re locked in
There are boatloads of smart speakers out there, but nothing quite like HomePod. The new Apple smart speaker uses cutting-edge technology that delivers outstanding sound quality to do just that. You can’t buy another speaker of this kind for $349. That price tag is not exactly cheap, but if you love music, HomePod should be at the top of your shopping list.
How ‘Hey Siri’ works with multiple devices
Hey Siri works by having the motion coprocessor chip listen constantly through the iPhone’s microphone. Normally it discards everything that it hears, but when it hears the trigger phrase “Hey Siri,” it pricks up its virtual ears and pays attention.
Hidden Apple Watch feature tells if your workouts are doing any good
It’s all very well to know how far you ran, cycled and swam. But the whole point of exercise is not just to clock the miles. It’s supposed to make you more fit. So, how do you know if all those sweaty miles are actually doing any good? One way is by measuring your heart rate recovery time.
Get VIP email pushed to iPhone instantly
We’d all rather that folks sent short messages via iMessage, or WhatsApp, or another civilized format that encourages brevity, but they insist on email. But what if your emails could pop up on your iPhone’s lock screen and be as easy to reply to as an iMessage. If you set it up right, your regular iPhone Mail app can do exactly that, using Push and VIP email.
Remove unwanted Apple Music downloads
You can download lots of new music to your iPhone, then set it to shuffle while you take a walk. It’s a great way to listen to new music, with one big, annoying side-effect: You end up with lots of unwanted downloads cluttering up your iPhone. But with one simple smart playlist, you can fix that right now.
Save big on Apple Watch bands this President’s Day weekend
In a few clicks, you’ll find incredible savings on Apple Watch bands and accessories during Cult of Mac Watch Store’s biggest sale since Black Friday — three days of massive savings. We’ve touched, worn, reviewed and recommend everything we sell. Sale ends Monday at midnight. Happy shopping at Watch Store!
’50s-style Bluetooth speaker blasts you to past
These days, everything old is new again. Pop culture is bursting with reboots, references, and a general nostalgia for the comfortable looks and feels of the past. Escapism aside, classic styles are classic for a reason, and they make a great look for modern technology.
Best iPad cases for every type of user
You have in your hands a brand new iPad. Now what? Sure, you can just go ahead and use it au natural. But consider: While iPads may look like hulking slabs of aluminum and glass, they are deceptively delicate. They cry out for protection.
The hype is real, HomePod is incredible.
Friends, HomePod is even better than the hype, it’s one of the best products Apple’s ever made. Don’t miss our discussion on The CultCast. Plus: HomePod vs. the rivals; the big HomePod flaw you need to know about (one Apple is trying to downplay); how Apple plans to revamp their future software; and is another new Apple product on the horizon?