Apple has announced the HomePod mini 2, featuring Siri AI (well, at least in a future software update), new colors, and enhanced audio experiences.
Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Home Product Marketing, said users can enjoy room-filling audio with a single speaker, in a stereo pair, or using multiroom audio. When paired with the new Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini 2 supports four-speaker surround sound. And HomePod mini makes it easy for different users to manage the connected home with just a voice command, securely controlling accessories and running automations. Drance said.
The HomePod mini 2 delivers 360-degree sound from its compact footprint. Powered by the Apple S10 chip and advanced computational audio, it analyzes music in real time to optimize dynamic range, loudness, and acoustic performance, Drance said. As mentioned, for the first time, users can create a four-speaker surround sound experience with Apple TV 4K (4th generation) and HomePod mini 2. Together, the four speakers and the new Apple TV 4K intelligently recognize each speaker’s position in the room, so audio timing and levels are automatically calibrated to the space.
Users can create a four-speaker surround sound experience with HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K (4th generation).
What’s more — and it’s about time — the new HomePod mini can serve as a speaker for Mac, delivering expansive sound for everything from movies and gaming to FaceTime and video calls.
Introducing Sound Glow
With Sound Glow, the top of HomePod mini transforms into a visual canvas that glows and pulses in sync with the music, reacting in real time to bass and treble. The song’s album artwork from Now Playing generates a color-matched light experience that’s unique to every song. Users can pick a soundscape like rain to trigger bespoke animations for a soothing atmosphere.
Smart Home Management
HomePod mini makes controlling the connected home easy at an incredible value, according to Drance. With just their voice, users can conduct a series of smart home actions, including locking the front door; closing the garage when leaving the house; and lowering the blinds, adjusting the thermostat, or turning off the lights at bedtime.
With the Home app, users can automate their smart home accessories and create scenes to control multiple accessories at the same time. As a home hub, HomePod mini also lets users securely control accessories from the Home app on iPhone, whether they’re at home or away.
Sound Recognition on the HomePod minis listens for a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm and, if one is detected, sending a notification immediately to the user’s iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Using the Home app, users can check in via HomePod mini and listen and talk to someone at home.
The new HomePod mini also works seamlessly with the newly announced smart home accessories, including Apple Home Collection video doorbells and cameras, using Face Recognition to announce who is at the door.
Privacy features
Siri requests on HomePod mini 2 can use on-device processing or Private Cloud Compute, which extends the privacy of the device to the cloud. When processed in Private Cloud Compute, data is not stored or made accessible to Apple or anyone else.
Pricing and Availability
- Customers in the U.S. and more than 23 other countries and regions can pre-order HomePod mini 2 starting today from apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in pink, green, blue, white, and midnight, with availability in stores beginning Friday, October 30.
- HomePod mini 2 is available for $149 (U.S.).
- Siri AI will be available in English on HomePod mini 2 via a future software update in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK.
- HomePod mini 2 is compatible with HomePod software 27.2.
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