Apple has officially announced the new HomePod mini 2 smart speaker. The new product was announced by Apple today alongside the new HomeView smart display and fourth-gen Apple TV 4K.
HomePod mini 2 now available to pre-order
HomePod mini 2 features the same design as the original version. It comes in a variety of refreshed and returning color options: green, pink, blue, midnight, and white. It replaces the dated S5 chip with a new S10 chip to deliver new features and experiences.
Siri AI and Sound Glow are new to HomePod mini 2
Apple says the new HomePod mini 2 will work with Siri AI, Apple’s upgraded version of the personal assistant that debuted with iOS 27.
Powered by an entirely new architecture built on the latest generation of Apple Foundation Models, Siri AI transforms the HomePod mini experience and helps users get more done than ever before.
When paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, HomePod mini can tap into a user’s personal context to help them find what they need in the moment.
Top comment by elgipsy
I'm curious about the choice of putting a picture of an iMac with two mini; does that mean that mini 2 can finally be used with a Mac for FaceTime call etc. without a lag?
Edit: I read the fine prints and yes looks like HomePod mini 2 can finally handle video calls without a lag as long as your Mac comes with Wifi 6E. I might consider a pair just for that but only if I find a nice discount at some point cause I'm not spending 300$ on a pair, that just way too expensive
HomePod mini 2 also includes a new hardware feature called 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, and users can pick a soundscape like rain to trigger bespoke animations for a soothing atmosphere.
HomePod mini 2 can create a home theater experience
When paired with the new Apple TV 4K (fourth-gen), a pair of HomePod mini 2 speakers and a pair of full-size HomePod 2 speakers can create a new home theater experience as well:
HomePod mini delivers rich 360-degree sound from its compact footprint, whether it’s used as a single speaker, in a stereo pair, or as part of a multiroom audio setup. Powered by the Apple S10 chip and advanced computational audio, it analyzes music in real time to optimize dynamic range, loudness, and acoustic performance. 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.
Price and availability
Pre-orders start today ahead of the launch on October 30. The price is $149. Apple says it will run “HomePod software 27.2.” Apple adds that Siri AI will come in a future software update, suggesting it may not be available at launch.
The original HomePod mini was released in November 2020 for $99. Apple increased the price to $129 earlier this year.
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