Apple Aims to Boost HomePod Sales With New Audio Software LeadApple has hired a new software lead for the
HomePod team as part of an effort to better compete with smart home speakers from Amazon and Google, reports
Bloomberg.
<div class="center-wrap">The Syng Cell Alpha</div>Afrooz Family, an audio engineer who worked at Apple from 2012 to 2016, has rejoined the company and is leading software development on the ‌HomePod‌/
Apple TV team. Family co-founded speaker company Syng alongside former Apple design team member Christoper Stringer. Syng is known for the
super expensive Cell Alpha, which boasts "triphonic" audio technology that's able to create an immersive, dynamic sound field.
Apple has struggled to get the ‌HomePod‌ to catch on since its launch in 2018. The initial version of the speaker was priced at $350 and boasted higher-quality audio than competitors, but it was just not as popular as much more affordable smart speaker options from Samsung and Google.
The original ‌HomePod‌
was discontinued earlier this year with Apple instead opting to focus on the $99
HomePod mini, which is smaller and much more appealing due to its lower price tag.
Going forward, Apple
plans to create a combined ‌HomePod‌, ‌Apple TV‌, and
FaceTime device that will serve as an all-in-one entertainment option. According to
Bloomberg, such a device could be released as early as 2023.<div class="linkback">Related Roundup:
HomePod mini</div><div class="linkback">Buyer's Guide:
HomePod Mini (Neutral)</div><div class="linkback">Related Forum:
HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology</div>
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Apple Aims to Boost HomePod Sales With New Audio Software Lead
