The news that Sonos will support Air Play2 now means that an iPad Poort gets one more major audio partner, when 200 Million (uninvited) legacy iPads join the smart home shakedown. Eventually users may realize that they don’t have to buy into the contrived ecosystems these pillboxes are pointing you to…Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 are equal opportunity, sound protocols not limited to voice or proprietary music streaming.

Here’s some PREMIUM SPEAKER SPECIFICATIONS (courtesy of CNET) of the three major high-end options for premium audio. Note that all four options can now provide audio from iPads, as can the improved Amazon Echo.

These blind but solid blowhards enable iPad Poorts to be the very smartest Hubs, with independent web browser capability to cleanly run any videos or movies you choose – no strings attached. 😉

 

COMPARING HIGH-END SMART SPEAKERS

Google Home MaxApple HomePodAmazon Echo Plus
Price$399$349$150
ColorChalk, charcoalWhite, space grayBlack, white, silver
Voice controlGoogle AssistantSiriAlexa
Weight11.7 pounds5.5 pounds2.1 pounds
Dimensions (height, width, depth)13.2 x 7.4 x 6 inches6.8 x 5.6 x 5.6 inches9.3 x 3.3 x 3.3 inches
SpeakerTwo 4.5-inch high-excursion woofers and two 0.7-inch tweetersHigh-excursion woofer and 7-tweeter array2.5-inch woofer and 0.8-inch tweeter
PortsUSB-C, 3.5-millimeter jack, AC powerInformation not yet released3.5-millimeter jack, AC power
Protocol type(s)Wi-Fi, BluetoothWi-FiWi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee