Can I use HomePod outdoor ?

See the following from HomePod - Technical Specifications - Apple for temperature and humidity requirements:

Electrical and Environmental Requirements

• Built-in power supply
• Line voltage: 100V to 240V AC
• Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz
• Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
• Storage temperature: –4° to 113° F (–20° to 45° C)
• Relative humidity: 5% to 90% noncondensing
• Operating altitude: tested up to 10,000 feet (3000 m)
• Maximum storage altitude: 15,000 feet (4500 m)
• Maximum shipping altitude: 35,000 feet (10,500 m)

mathetes wrote:

You aren't going to be able to take it to the beach or a picnic in a nearby park, most likely. Why? Because you need to be in range of a wi-fi, the same one that your iOS device is connected with.

Having said that, I haven't tried it with a hotspot

Actually, you do not need Wi-Fi to AirPlay to a HomePod. For a few weeks I had no internet at my new home and was able to play to the HomePod just fine. Siri and Apple Music wouldn't work of course, but as an AirPlay target it was quite functional.

Regarding the use of a hotspot, that works if the hotspot originates from a device that is not the source of the audio. During this time with no Wi-Fi, I used my wife's iPhone as a hotspot and from my iPhone connected to her hotspot I could get Siri and Apple Music to work on the HomePod.

You aren't going to be able to take it to the beach or a picnic in a nearby park, most likely. Why? Because you need to be in range of a wi-fi, the same one that your iOS device is connected with.

Having said that, I haven't tried it with a hotspot; it would be an interesting experiment. Use an iPhone or iPad in hot spot mode; the other as the controlling device for the HomePod... Let us know if you give that a try and it's successful.

mathetes

You also need access to mains power (or a suitable facsimile of the same). Generally missing from parks and beaches.

tt2