Apple’s updated HomePod mini costs $149, but its headline Siri AI upgrade won’t arrive until a future software update. At launch, buyers get a new S10 chip, smart-home controls and audio features for $50 more than the original model.
Apple announced the refresh at its smart home event on Tuesday. The original HomePod mini launched in 2020, over six years ago. Apple says the S10 chip helps improve and optimize dynamic range, loudness and acoustic performance.
With voice commands, the speaker can control smart-home devices. It can also listen for sounds such as a smoke alarm and send a notification to a user’s phone, a feature Alexa devices have offered for years.
For buyers weighing the higher price, the bigger question is Siri. Apple says Siri AI will support multi-turn conversations, but that integration will come in a future update. The company hasn’t said when the new assistant will reach HomePod mini 2 buyers.
Apple says the speaker plays nicer with its other devices. Paired with the new Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini 2 speakers can form a four-speaker home entertainment system. They can also serve as a Mac’s default speaker for video calls or music playback, replacing the computer’s built-in speakers.
A new visual feature called “Sound Glow” uses album art colors to make the top of the HomePod mini glow and pulse in time with the music. Users can also choose soundscapes such as rain or ocean waves to start animations.
The refreshed speaker comes in pink, green, blue, white and midnight. Preorders start today, and availability begins October 30.
