Despite being made by a company named MacSense, the HomePod ($249 list, with a street price of about $150 to $170) works with both Windows and Macintosh computers. As long as you have an 802.11b/g wireless network, you can use it, and setup takes only minutes. You'll need to install the HomePod software on any computer you'll be using. The device can work with multiple home computers, but they all must be turned on, with the server software running.
The HomePod's design--reminiscent of a bigger, clunkier iPod--looks relatively attractive, and it can stand alone or be mounted on a wall. In our testing, the HomePod found our music collection instantly with no fuss. You use the dial to scroll through your collection and the Enter button, in the center of the wheel, to select.
Once the music started playing, the HomePod's problems began. First off, the built-in speakers are simply terrible. If you love your music collection, you'll hate hearing it played through these intercom-quality speakers, which eliminate highs and lows and leave a thin, flattened-out middle.
Happily, the HomePod's extensive connectivity means you won't have to listen through its speakers. There are optical and coaxial digital outputs, a set of analog stereo outputs, and a headphone jack. A USB port on the back lets you play music from an external USB drive, such as a keychain flash drive.
