Apple has introduced a new line of technology- the HomePod. The HomePod is a smart speaker with similar features to the Amazon Echo. The smart speaker was announced last June but did not start shipping until Feb. 9.

Although I did not purchase the HomePod, many others already have posted reviews of it online. The positive reviews state that the speaker has amazing sound quality, Siri’s voice accuracy is high and the overall design is appealing to the eye. The smart speaker can work out where it is within a room simply by playing music and hearing how the sound it emits bounces around. If there’s a wall behind the speaker, it will send certain parts of the music that way, while the main vocals or instruments will be aimed forwards.

Additionally, the setup process is easy, as long as you own an iPhone or iPad with iOS 11.2.5. All that you have to do is hold your device near the HomePod and a small box will pop up prompting the set-up. Your Apple ID, Apple Music preferences and WiFi passwords will be automatically sent over to the Homepod.

On the other hand, the negative reviews dislike that Siri is limited, there’s no Bluetooth streaming and that an Apple Music subscription is needed for a worthwhile experience. Additionally, the speaker is one of the most expensive speakers on the market, costing $349. Apple is hoping to justify that price by embedding Siri inside and offering high-quality audio.

Some are upset because the speaker can leave a white ring on certain surfaces (mainly expensive, porous woods). Apple has acknowledged this issue and said it should wipe off or disappear after a few days, but some other sources claim that it can leave a more permanent ring.

When comparing the HomePod to the Amazon Echo and the Sonos One, each speaker has its pros and cons. The HomePod produced the highest quality sound, but the Sonos One was a close second. All around, people found the Sonos One to be the best speaker because it produced a great sound and includes a voice assistant, Alexa. The Sonos One also allows multiroom audio, so the entire house can play music in sync.

The HomePod is a good speaker option if you have an Apple phone, an Apple Music subscription and want a great sound. It is not the best option for playing music throughout the house, wanting a TV speaker, or having the most useful assistant. Keep these things in mind when deciding which smart speaker you want to purchase.