Apple’s HomePod has been on the cards for ages now. The Apple HomePod will get a release date in the coming weeks, though a select few of Apple’s favourite blogs have now had some hands-on time with the device.

I say, “hands-on time” but what I really mean is an hour – Apple let its selected reviewers play with the device for about an hour, apparently. This obviously isn’t long enough to build a full opinion of the device, but all of the reviewers seemed to agree that the HomePod was impressive.

The big USP of a the HomePod is its audio performance; Apple’s betting big on this aspect of the device’s capabilities as both Amazon Echo and Google Home kind of suck at audio. I mean, they’re both OK, but not something you’d ever use to power a party in your flat or home.

Is Apple HomePod Better Than SONO Play One?

Apparently, it is. That’s what one reviewer said, anyway: “Having heard it side by side with The Sonos Play One and Google Home Max, A single HomePod is already much better than both in terms of sound quality. I would say the Sonos Play One was 80% of the way there, but it just lacked the clarity of bass and wide soundstage. The Home Max was consistent with the Sonos Play One.”

I knew as soon as Apple announced the HomePod it would be going after Sonos. Google and Amazon too, but mostly Sonos as Sonos is the price bracket that Apple would be targeting – the premium end of the speaker space. And in order to do this it NEEDED to ensure the audio performance for spot on.

Most of the initial reviewers seem to think that Apple has nailed this aspect of the device. As for Siri, well… no one seems to be talking about this aspect too much. And given Siri’s chequered history, this is probably why – she’s just not that good. Though, taking commands for music isn’t that hard, so maybe Siri has finally found its calling in life?

Apple’s HomePod speaker will go on sale for $349/£349 on February 8. Preorders for the device, however, are now open in case you want to secure yourself a unit right away.