When Apple announced the Midnight HomePod mini earlier this week it was also confirmed that it would take the place of the previous Space Gray in the miniature HomePod lineup. But the problem was that the pair looked identical. Turns out, they actually aren't.

The press images that Apple shared certainly didn't give the game away but now that the new color is officially on sale we can indeed confirm that the Midnight HomePod mini is different from the Space Gray one, although you still might need to see them in the flesh to be sure depending on what you're reading this on.

In a video posted to the X social network, Nikias Molina lifted the lid on what you can expect from your new HomePod mini and while it's definitely different, we don't think many people will be ditching their Space Gray model to switch.

HomePod mini gets the blues

As you'll see in the video below, the Midnight HomePod mini is definitely more blue than the Space Gray one which shouldn't be all that surprising if you've seen any of Apple's other Midnight products. The M3 MacBook Air springs to mind, but as you'll no doubt agree, the difference between the two colors isn't a huge one — albeit it's one that's significantly bigger than what we originally expected.

The new Midnight HomePod mini joins the existing colors and sells for the same $99. It also has the same internals, so the only difference you'll notice is that change in external color.

Still, if you're someone who looked at the Space Gray HomePod mini and wished it was just a tad more blue, now is your time to treat yourself.

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Apple has today unveiled a new HomePod mini that will be immediately familiar to those of us who already own one — especially those who own a Space Gray one.

Apple's unveiling of the "HomePod mini in midnight" comes as the company says that it will officially go on sale on Wednesday, July 17 although there was no suggestion that the midnight HomePod mini launch would happen at midnight, unfortunately.

The new speaker appears to be identical to the previous model albeit carrying Apple's new fondness for midnight as a descriptor for its darkest color. We'd suggest that existing owners probably won't need to rush out to upgrade, that's for sure, but it's possible that photos of the new color don't do it justice but we'll need to see the new and old models side-by-side to confirm that.

You look ... familiar

Apple's stealth update by press release matches the stealthy changes that appear to be going on here. On the inside, the new HomePod mini matches those already on sale in other colors including the same Apple S5 chip and speaker configuration. "At just 3.3 inches tall, HomePod mini offers big sound in an impressively compact design," Apple says, adding that with "a seamless, acoustically transparent mesh exterior and a backlit touch surface that illuminates from edge to edge, HomePod mini is a stunning smart speaker that complements any space."

The new color joins the existing yellow, orange, blue, and white options and will retail for the same $99 this Wednesday. It'll initially launch in the U.S., Canada, China mainland, Singapore, and 28 other countries and regions.

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We're accustomed to Apple Watches saving lives, but the idea of a HomePod or HomePod mini saving a life is something that we don't come across all that often. But thankfully, Apple's smart speaker sprung into action when a kitchen fire had the potential to cause catastrophe.

According to reports a fire started in the kitchen of a home after a "curious" dog inadvertently turned on an oven that happened to have cardboard boxes on it. The result, as you can imagine, was a fiery inferno.

However, an Apple HomePod saved the day after sending a push notification to the homeowners to warn them of the fire which gave them time to put it out before the fire brigade arrived.

Staying alert

A Facebook post by the Colorado Springs Fire Department, first spotted by 9to5Mac, detailed the story by saying that the homeowners were "woken up by their Apple HomePod which sent them a 'High Heat' notice."

However, it's most likely that the HomePod heard the home's fire alarm and alerted the homeowners as a result. The HomePod cannot act as a smoke detector itself but can listen out for the sound of existing smoke detectors in your home and send a push notification to your iPhone if an alarm is heard. You can enable HomePod alarm recognition on any HomePod, HomePod 2, or HomePod mini.

As this instance shows, turning on this feature could well save your home and, potentially, your life.

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Apple's HomeKit smart home system is pretty great in the way that it takes accessories and systems from various different companies and then melds them into one, cohesive collection setup that seems to always work..... is what I would say if it were true. But it isn't.

Not to do HomeKit a disservice, but cause when it works, it works well. Its biggest problem used to be that there were just so few accessories that worked with it that people would be better off sticking to Google Home or Amazon's Alexa smart home options. But these days that's all been rectified thanks to the advent of Matter and whatnot. Now, there's a new problem — the flakey home hub.

See, you need a home hub to control your HomeKit and Matter accessories whenever you're away from home, want to share access to your accessories with others or have the audacity to try and automate your smart home accessories using the Home app. Apple's HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV can all work as home hubs, and once your home hub is up and running, it works well. So long as you only have one of them. Have multiple, and things can go awry — automation stops working first, then you start to experience other oddities. But there might be a workaround, and all you need is a spare Apple TV.

The home hub dance

My HomeKit setup involving an Apple TV 4K, a HomePod, and two HomePod minis has worked relatively well for some time now so I'd forgotten the farce that can be a system that misbehaves when you have multiple devices that are capable of acting as a home hub. Thankfully, Brian Stucki reminded me in a blog post that detailed how to force an Apple TV to act as a home hub, preventing other devices from taking over.

See, it's the taking over that causes the problem. If you're using a home hub that works well, with a solid connection to your network, everything's great. The problems come when your setup decides all on its own to switch from using that hardwired Apple TV 4K to a HomePod in a bedroom with an iffy Wi-Fi connection. And there's seemingly no way to stop it from doing it.

"I'll start off by saying that there is no official way to determine which device is used as the home hub," Stucki explains. "You can disable HomeKit on an Apple TV so it's not selected as a hub. You cannot disable the HomePod as a home hub. But there is no option anywhere to say "Use this device as the home hub."

So what's the fix? Some believe that the device with the lowest IP address or fastest connection is the one Apple chooses as the home hub, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Instead, Stucki believes, "the device with the most current software is chosen as the home hub."

That's where the spare Apple TV comes into play.

"About a week ago, I took an Apple TV that has been sitting in my "unused tech" drawer for a couple years. (What? We all have that drawer right?) Luckily, it was one with an ethernet port which isn't the case for all current Apple TV units being sold," Stucki explains. "I connected the Apple TV to a monitor and set it up as normal with my iCloud login. I enabled HomeKit and assigned it to my 'Office' room. I then enrolled it in the Apple Beta Software Program and set for updates to be applied automatically. I also disabled sleeping and screen saver."

That setup has apparently been running for a week with no issues, even after "switching routers, resetting wifi networks, and lots of other things" that would normally cause HomeKit to switch home hubs of its own accord. So far, so good.

The real problem? Stucki says that "all of this could change at any time," and that's an issue. With Apple's desire to hide options and settings, it removes the power to really troubleshoot these kinds of issues. And even if this spare Apple TV option does do the trick, it simply isn't a viable option for most.

I'd love it if Apple gave us more configuration options for HomeKit, but I won't hold my breath. With Apple's newfound focus on AI with iOS 18 and beyond, the chance of Apple taking the time to make something as simple as turning on the lights work each and every time seems remote, at best.

Still, it isn't all bad. "Plus...this new role frees up an Apple TV Remote to serve as a replacement when others are lost," Stucki adds.

We've all been there.

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If you own a HomePod, HomePod 2, or HomePod mini now is the time to get your hands on a new software update that Apple believes fixes an issue related to a particularly irritating bug.

That bug causes some HomePods to respond to Siri requests more slowly than would normally be the case. In some instances it would simply refuse to carry out the request fully, something that's sure to be an annoyance for a device that is supposed to be a smart speaker capable of interacting with smart home accessories, set timers, and more.

The new update, version 17.1.1, is now available for download as a free update for all compatible HomePods — which is to say all of them.

Bug, fixed

Apple's release notes, detailed in a support document on its website, don't go into too many specifics about what this new software update has to offer. But they do confirm the bug fix, suggesting that Apple is pretty confident that it was able to get to the bottom of what was going on.

"Software version 17.1.1 addresses an issue where some HomePod speakers could respond slowly or fail to complete requests," the release notes read.

This new update comes not too long after Apple released HomePod software version 17.1, an update that brought with it much more of note. That release added support for the Enhance Dialogue option to the HomePod mini and original HomePod. The feature, when the HomePods are connected to an Apple TV 4K, makes it easier to hear what people are saying in TV shows and movies — a vital addition for those of us who previously found that turning on subtitles was the only way to follow along. It's getting harder and harder to hear what's being said, and this feature goes some way to helping fix that.

Your HomePod should automatically install the new software unless you disabled automatic updates. If that's you, head into the Home app and the update should be available via your HomePod's settings screen.

Love it or loathe it, everyone can pretty much agree that the HomePod 2 sounds great. The HomePod mini sounds brilliant considering its small size, too. And while we can all probably also agree that Siri really lets the side down when it comes to any and all HomePods, I'd posit that it isn't the biggest issue. And it appears that Apple might agree.

While it's fair to say that Siri has its problems and that it's years behind the competition from Google and even Amazon, the HomePods that we have in our house could all benefit from something new. Something that no HomePod has had to date. And something that Apple is reportedly testing right now.

That thing? A proper touchscreen display and a new report claims that Apple is testing exactly that. It just might not be going about it in quite the way that you'd expect it to.

Apple TV and iPad mini to the rescue

So what's Apple got up its sleeve? According to a 9to5Mac report, it's hard at work on some sort of Frankenstein's monster of a device. The report says that there are signs that Apple is testing running a version of tvOS on an iPad mini, all with the aim of then turning that into some sort of HomePod with a display. And I, dear reader, am here for it. Bring it on.

This all comes from the first tvOS 17.2 beta that landed last week, with the report saying that there is code within that update that suggests it can be run on an iPad mini, at least inside Apple.

"Interestingly, by digging into the firmware of tvOS 17.2 – the system that runs on both Apple TV and HomePod – we found strong evidence that Apple is internally running tvOS on the iPad," 9to5Mac reports. It goes on, saying that "every firmware released by Apple includes device support files that specify which devices the software can be installed on. When it comes to tvOS, this includes compatible Apple TV models, as well as HomePods." The interesting part? "For some reason, the latest tvOS builds also have device support files for the iPad mini 6."

There's also support for the iPad mini 6 in the tvOS 17 SDK and Xcode 15, too. All of this appears to confirm that Apple, at least at some point, wanted to make tvOS 17.x run on an iPad mini.

A future HomePod laid bare

The obvious jump from here is that Apple is testing the Apple TV interface on an iPad in order to get it ready for a touch-based interface, as would be required from a HomePod. If that's the case, it's notable that Apple doesn't appear to be going the route of simply using a version of iPadOS instead — it wants a home entertainment feel rather than the familiar iPadOS interface.

Both would likely work, as far as I can see, but the use of tvOS underpinnings would suggest Apple wants the HomePod to be a device people watch content on — otherwise the decision makes little sense.

Personally, I'd just like to be able to see what timers the HomePod is running and perhaps see something saved in Notes, like a recipe. The use of tvOS suggests that might not be an option, but we'll have to wait and see before we can pass judgment on whatever Apple has cooking. I just hope this device will do more than just display videos and probably some Apple Music lyrics.

The main thing? Apple has something cooking. And it smells like a HomePod with a seven-inch or so display attached to it. And that'll do nicely, thank you very much.

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Apple fans in Israel could get a new smart speaker or two to choose from sooner rather than later, according to a new report.

That report suggests that Apple is getting ready to announce the 2nd-gen HomePod and HomePod mini for sale in Israel, with the company having already added Hebrew language support to iOS 16.6's latest Release Candidate update.

In fact, we're also told that some people are already testing the speakers in the country.

Music to more ears

This is according to the Israeli outlet The Verifier, which says that some people are already part of an experimental program and have received a HomePod mini to test Siri support with.

The report suggests that Apple's very latest iOS 16.6 beta includes support for the Hebrew language in Siri and the HomePod.

Apple refreshed the HomePod with the second generation earlier this year while the current HomePod mini is still the only model that has ever been released. The model arrived in 2020 and has gone largely unchanged ever since, although new colors have been added to the mix since.

Apple's HomePods are among some of the best smart home speakers around,  although they aren't without their problems. The main issue is of course Siri and its lack of smarts when compared to some of the competition from Google and Amazon. Apple is reportedly working on new AI tools and we can hope that Apple will improve Siri's capabilities as a result.

Looking to pick up a new Apple smart speaker? Be sure to check out our collection of the best HomePod deals before you place your order. Looking for a simple Bluetooth speaker instead? There are plenty of very popular Bluetooth speakers to be had, too.

While there are some iPhone apps that have proper native HomePod support, not all of them do. And when iOS 17 ships this fall, none of that will matter.

That's because iOS 17 will allow non-HomePod apps to automatically send their audio to any HomePod on the same Wi-Fi network using nothing more than the power of Siri.

What's more, Apple says that developers won't need to do any extra work for this to happen — all apps that already support SiriKit Media will work just fine right out of the gate.

Sounds good

Apple confirmed the news as part of a larger developer session that discussed how apps could be integrated with the HomePod.

According to that video, people will be able to ask their HomePod to play audio from an app on their iPhone using Siri. Assuming the app supports SiriKit, the audio should begin to play via AirPlay automatically.

Apple goes on to say that the HomePod and iPhone do not need to be in close proximity for this new feature to work, but they will need to be on the same Wi-Fi connection at the time of the request. Apple's example has an iPhone on charge in a bedroom while a HomePod in the living room plays audio without issue.

The HomePod is of course one of the best HomeKit speakers around, although there are others. But you'll need a HomePod with Siri support for any of this to work. You'll also need iOS 17 and an iPhone, with Apple's next big software update expected to be released to the public in or around September.

That's also when we expect the iPhone 15 lineup to be announced, too. As for compatible HomePods, we have to assume that the HomePod 2 and HomePod mini will be good to go, while it's likely the original HomePod will also work just fine.

Apple customers in Denmark can now pick up a HomePod 2 or HomePod mini of their very own, with both smart speakers now available for purchase directly from the Apple Store.

The news comes after Apple released both speakers in Singapore for the first time in April 2023, and continues the slow but steady expansion of Apple's smart speakers.

The HomePod 2 can be picked up for DKK 2,599 while the HomePod mini can be had for DKK 899. Multiple colors are available to choose from with white and space grey offered to HomePod 2 buyers. Those choosing the diminutive HomePod mini can pick from orange, yellow, and blue as well as the classic white and black offerings.

Great sound sounds great

Apple announced the news via a press release on its Danish website (Google Translate), saying that its "speakers are packed with innovative functions and Siri intelligence, which makes it easy to cope with daily tasks and operate intelligent accessories in the home."

"Users can create smart home automations using Siri, get notified when an activated smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is detected in the home, check the temperature and humidity in a room, and use Intercom to send a message throughout the house – all hands free."

The HomePods include support for AirPlay 2 as well as HandOff and you can of course stream music and other audio content from your iPhone, iPad, and Mac right to the speakers with ease. There's also support for Matter built in, meaning that "HomePod and HomePod mini can be connected to and used to control Matter-compatible accessories, as well as act as essential home hubs that allow users to access their smart home accessories when they are away."

Still not convinced that a HomePod or HomePod mini is for you? There are plenty of HomePod alternatives on the market many of which will cost you considerably less than Apple's. 

Back in January, Apple announced a new Sound Recognition feature alongside the launch of the HomePod 2. The feature lets your HomePod listen out for your home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and alert your iPhone via the Home app. It's a really nice addition to Apple's smart speaker that helps with knowing what's happening at home when you're out and about.

The feature uses the always-on microphone in your HomePod, HomePod 2, or HomePod mini, so you don't have to buy a fancy HomeKit smoke alarm. Now, Sound Recognition is finally available, and it's worth trying. Here's how.

Disclaimer: Apple's HomePod cannot be used as a smoke detector. This feature enables your HomePod to listen out for the sound of existing detectors in your home, and will only alert you if it hears an existing alarm. 

How to enable HomePod Sound Recognition

1. Open the Home app
2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner
3. Tap Home Settings
4. Choose Safety & Security
5. Turn Sound Recognition on

You'll need the latest update for your HomePod and your Home app with the latest architecture, so make sure everything is up to date; otherwise, the option will be greyed out.

It's straightforward to set up and a fantastic new free feature to add to your HomePod to make it an even better smart home device. 

Make your home smarter

The Sound Recognition feature is a welcome addition to the HomePod lineup. It gives users added smart home functionality without purchasing one of the best HomeKit smoke and CO detectors. 

If you're ever worried that the fire engine speeding past is heading toward your apartment block, then worry no more, as HomePod's new feature will notify everyone in your household if a noise is detected. Hopefully, this is the start of further HomePod updates that can make devices more useful without looking for more HomeKit accessories. 

If you want to make your smart home more HomeKit enabled or use it with Matter, we have a host of buying guides to help deck out your home, including our best HomeKit light bulbs alongside our best HomeKit accessories buying guide. 

Owners of the HomePod and HomePod mini can now have their smart speaker alert them if it hears an alarm, like a smoke or carbon dioxide detector.

The new feature, which was announced alongside the HomePod 2 in January 2023, is now finally available after Apple enabled the feature. You'll find the option to enable alarm alerts inside the Home app and that's where the alerts will take you when you receive them as well.

Thankfully, this change doesn't require that anyone buys any new hardware and is available on all existing models.

Sound it out

The new addition was first reported by TechCrunch and is designed to warn people if the HomePod hears an alarm even when they aren't at home. That alarm could be a smoke or carbon dioxide sensor as mentioned, both of which you're likely to want to know about even if you aren't around.

What's more, anyone who has a HomeKit camera configured in the Home app will also be shown the feed when they receive an alert on their iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. We'd always suggest using a HomeKit Secure Video camera where possible as well, partly because of this feature but also because you get to use the Home app when viewing recorded clips later.

Apple says that all of the information gathered and used for this new sound detection feature is handled on-device, so it doesn't know what's going on inside your home.

Right now it appears that Apple only allows the HomePod to alert people when it hears an alarm, but it's possible that it could be configured to send alerts when other things are heard as well. That could include breaking glass, for example, or a dog barking. Apple hasn't suggested that any of those features are coming, but with WWDC23 just around the corner it's still possible.

With the release of the first iOS 16.4 beta, Apple has introduced Hebrew voices to Siri for the first time. This is a huge update that is likely to reach all users by April. 

While the HomePod and HomePod mini are not officially sold in Israel, those that purchase the device externally are often disappointed to see that there is no Hebrew support for Siri despite Siri on iPhone fully supporting Hebrew. 

The Verifier recently revealed that Israeli iPhone employees have been part of a closed beta program to help with Hebrew Siri support in the latest HomePod 2 and HomePod mini. With the new information that iOS 16.4 beta 1 includes Hebrew voices for HomePod, it is increasingly likely that Israeli retailers will start selling the smart speaker sooner rather than later.

HomePod finally gets Hebrew support

Siri has had Hebrew support since 2016, and as such Hebrew speakers have been awaiting the inclusion in the HomePod despite the smart speaker’s first release in 2018. The addition of Hebrew support alongside the brand new HomePod 2 release, is a great way for Apple to target a new market that it has previously neglected. 

The HomePod 2 was released earlier this month and we believe it is a huge improvement over the discontinued previous model with better sound, new sensors, and at the same price. 

Our News Editor, Stephen Warwick said in our HomePod review, "I absolutely love the new HomePod. It’s a triumph. I still can’t believe how Apple has managed to pull off the audio improvements it has, but it really is something. Whether it's listening to music or watching TV, this beats any smart speaker, Bluetooth, or otherwise that I’ve ever heard. In fact, the new HomePod is so good that I’d even recommend it as an upgrade from the original HomePod if you have one. It's the best smart speaker I've ever heard.”

For Hebrew speakers, now is the best time to get on board with Apple’s smart speaker.

Apple’s brand new HomePod 2 is an absolute marvel. If you’ve read our HomePod 2 review, you’ll know we love it for its incredible sound profile and nifty internal upgrades, alongside some new smart home capabilities. The HomePod 2, however, remains pricey, and I’ve seen plenty of folks postulating that you might be better off saving some money and instead buying two HomePod minis for around two-thirds of its bigger brother’s price.

Apple’s new HomePod 2 costs $299 / £299, and you’re going to struggle to find a discount on that given it’s only a few weeks old. You can usually pick up a HomePod mini for around $80-$90, so two might cost you just $160, or perhaps $180. Regardless, buying two HomePod minis will save you at least $100 over the HomePod 2, but is it worth it?

I’m here to put this nonsensical idea to bed. Let me tell you why the HomePod mini, even in stereo, doesn’t offer anywhere near the experience of the larger, newer, HomePod 2.

 Size and design 

The HomePod mini is small, obviously, and one distinct advantage it offers over the larger HomePod 2 is its diminutive form factor, which makes it perfect for popping on a desk or hiding on a bookshelf. At barely 10 cm, the sphere is very unobtrusive and definitely the pick if you’re at a real premium for space. Of course, you’ll need more space for two HomePod minis, and a reasonable distance between them to enjoy stereo sound. That means the HomePod mini in stereo is best enjoyed on either side of a Mac or iPad in situ, probably at a desk or workstation.

By contrast, the new HomePod 2 is substantially larger, so you will need much more space to place one down. But, you’ll only need one outlet, and the new HomePod 2 comes with a nifty detachable cable that makes it much easier to hide away and pass through small holes, a big bonus in the new design this year.

If you want a splash of color for your office or anywhere else though, HomePod mini offers five colors that include vibrant blue, yellow, and orange. The new HomePod 2 only comes in white and midnight, which is really just black.

Honestly, the choice between the two is largely aesthetic, but the difference in sound is so great that you shouldn’t let that affect your choice, so let’s get to the good stuff.

 Sound 

The new HomePod 2 is a sonic masterpiece. It’s a marvel of great bass, rich mids, and crisp high-end sound. I also conducted iMore’s HomePod mini review, and was likewise impressed by just how loud such a small speaker can sound, especially by the sound quality at the price point and size. However, side-by-side there is simply no comparing the two. It’s not even close. This is largely reflected in the price tag, however, and I’d push a narrative that, whilst the HomePod 2 is around $200 more expensive than a HomePod mini, and $120-ish more expensive than two in stereo, it sounds about $1,000 better.

If you imagine the sound spectrum like the floors of a building, the HomePod 2 is a 100-story skyscraper. You have a basement, and then maybe 20 floors of bass, the remaining 80 floors are a delightful section of mid-range and high-end sound. I won’t retread the ground of our review too much, but the sound is incredibly spacious and well laid out, with every instrument and element of a song given plenty of room to breathe.

By contrast, the HomePod mini can perhaps boast on floors 30 through 60 in this skyscraper of sound. It lacks all of the low-end depth of the HomePod 2 and the high-end clarity. Even the middle ranges it does put are shallow and tinny by comparison to the HomePod 2. One unfortunate side effect of my time spent with the HomePod 2 is that I can longer enjoy listening to any of our HomePod mini units because it sounds so bad by comparison. If you’ve ever listened to any of Apple’s lossless, high-quality Apple Music, you’ll know that sometimes on a shaky internet connection, the song starts out in very poor quality before jumping up to its full fidelity. That’s what it’s like listening to HomePod 2 and HomePod mini.

There is one important issue to note, however. Despite the significant work Apple has done to reduce the vibrations coming from the bass of the new HomePod 2, it does still pack a real punch. During testing, I threw one on the shelf where I used to keep a single HomePod mini and popped some low-fi Hip-Hop on. My wife, who was on the other side of that wall in her office, was immediately disturbed, and I had to lower the volume significantly to stop it. I can move the HomePod to a better spot, but one thing it is worth noting is that the HomePod 2 is a punchy and potent speaker, and even at low volumes it put out enough sound to travel through the next wall. If you need more discrete listening, a pair of HomePod mini speakers could be the way to go.

 Smart Home 

Both the HomePod 2 and HomePod mini are good smart home speakers. Both use Siri to control any smart device in your house, both have internal temperature and humidity sensors, and both have support for Thread which means you can use them as the center of a smart home ecosystem. There is one notable difference, however. The new HomePod 2 comes with the S7 chip, which handles lots of onboard processing tasks including Siri.

This means that Siri is noticeably faster and more responsive on the new HomePod 2 than it is on the HomePod mini. If you’ve owned an old HomePod or the mini and have found Siri a frustrating experience, the new HomePod does alleviate this somewhat. Overall however, I don’t think there’s enough here to differentiate the two. They’re both capable smart home speakers in their own right. However, where the HomePod mini excels as a smart home hub that can also play music, the HomePod 2 is first and foremost a quality audio speaker that also happens to work with your smart home. It’s a subtle difference, but the results are profound. 

HomePod 2, or two HomePod minis? 

Given $299 of my own money, and the choice of either a single  HomePod 2 or two HomePod minis, I would pick the larger, newer HomePod every time. As a pure audio and listening experience it is simply lightyears ahead of even two HomePod minis playing in stereo. That doesn’t mean the HomePod mini isn’t capable, and if you’re really on a tight budget, or you’re not too fussy about audio quality, you can certainly have an enjoyable experience with them. 

However, I fervently believe that the HomePod 2 more than justifies its higher price tag, and that actually when you consider the audio performance and price pound-for-pound, the HomePod 2 is actually much better value. As I said, it costs maybe $120 more than two HomePod minis, but it sounds several-hundred dollars more expensive. Don’t choose wrong.

We've had some inkling that Apple will be releasing new AirPods in 2024, but now renowned tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that there will be a new HomePod mini 2 as well. This comes after the release of the new HomePod 2, a product that had long been rumored itself, only to appear in a surprise press release earlier this year.

The HomePod mini will be joining the rumored AirPods Max 2, an upgrade to the premium AirPods Max that is now a little old, and a cheaper pair of AirPods that look to be aiming at the $100 price bracket.

Cheaper AirPods and, finally, AirPods Max 2 next year?

Ming-Chi Quo reports that the new Apple audio equipment is unlikely to come in 2023, but in the second half of 2024 at the earliest. They could even debut in the first half of 2025, giving us plenty of time to speculate as to what these new products could be. In a tweet, Kuo states:

Kuo has been pretty spot-on with stuff like this before, so there's likely to be some accurate information here. Some of these products are definitely owed some kind of an upgrade, the AirPods Max, in particular, being one of Apple's oldest AirPods models that it still makes.

Released in December 2020, the AirPods Max has become known as one of Apple's most premium products. The Noise canceling is excellent, the sound quality is solid, but the price is a little too high. They have been exceedingly popular, however, so it stands to reason that Apple would be making another version. It would also make sense in the time scale as well – last year, Apple released the AirPods Pro 2, around four years after the first model. 2024 is four years after the release of the first AirPods Max, so the AirPods release schedule would fit.

Of course, the new HomePod mini is likely to be curious, given how popular the little speaker has been. Making a great center for a Homekit-enabled house and boasting excellent size quality for both its size and price, the HomePod mini is one of the best value products offered today. It's unlikely that there will be any big upgrades to the speaker, given what we saw with the new HomePod, but there are sure to be some cool new features that Apple will include.

The final piece is the cheaper AirPods. This will likely replace the AirPods 2 that Apple still sells, which are now coming up to their fifth birthday. This new pair is reported to cost $99, but beyond that, we don't know much. They're unlikely to have any noise canceling in order to keep costs down, however.

Either way, we're excited for the new Apple audio stuff to come out, although we wish it could come a little sooner. 2024 feels like an eternity away, and the AirPods Max isn't getting any newer.

Buyers of the HomePod mini in some European countries are now having to pay more for the same speaker thanks to stealth price increases.

Apple’s launch of the 2nd-generation HomePod also saw an increase in the price that Europeans have to pay to get its smaller cousin, with prices going up around 10% across the board.

The HomePod mini’s price increase comes after Apple also increased the price of the iMac in the UK by £150.

Going up!

The price increases appear to be relatively minor, but they’re large in terms of the percentage of the original asking price. For example, the HomePod mini previously sold for £89/€99 across Europe, but buyers must now hand over £99/€109.

MacRumors reported that the price increase affects the UK, Austria, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. In addition, the new price also reflects that of other European countries that only received the HomePod mini recently, including Belgium, Sweden, and others.

It’s important to note that this price increase doesn’t also come with new hardware, however, and is merely a price hike for those looking to buy a HomePod mini in the affected countries. 

The HomePod mini, arguably the best wireless speaker for most people, will at least get new software features soon. The upcoming HomePod Software 16.3 update will support the humidity and temperature sensors already hidden inside the miniature speakers.

The HomePod Software 16.3 is set to be made available to the public alongside IOS 16.3 sometime next week, although an exact release date hasn’t been given.

For those looking to pick up Apple’s returning HomePod, that’s available for pre-order right now and will go on sale starting February 3.

Apple today surprised us with a brand new second-generation HomePod announcement. 

Costing $299, the HomePod 2 looks a lot like the old one with a couple of unique new features. One of its most interesting features, however, is a new temperature and humidity sensor which is also coming to the HomePod mini. In fact, it's already here. 

As the eagle-eyed folks at MacRumors have spotted, Apple now lists the Temperature and humidity sensor as a feature of both the HomePod and the HomePod mini. 

Mini temperature sensor

The HomePod mini is a tremendous little smart speaker thanks to its powerful audio punch, stereo compatibility, Siri, and smart home hub capabilities. This new feature will open up even more smart home options to users. 

With the new temperature and humidity sensor, your HomePod can detect changes in temperature and humidity, activating automations as a result. For example, it if gets too warm it can switch on a fan, or if the temperature drops it can switch on the heating. 

So how accurate is it? Apple says "temperature and humidity sensing is optimized for indoor, domestic settings when ambient temperatures are around 15º C to 30º C and relative humidity is around 30% to 70%," and warns that accuracy could decrease if you've been listening to audio for a long time at high volumes. 

While Apple now says that the HomePod mini has a temperature sensor, it hasn't shared a specific timeline as to when users will be able to access and use the feature. However, one lucky Twitter user says they've already got the feature working, having upgraded to Apple's new Home architecture before Apple pulled the release. The rest of us may have to wait until Apple's new software is released, likely next week. But we can already anticipate automations like having a HomePod's sensor trigger one of the best HomeKit ceiling fans to turn on, for instance.

The new HomePod 2 also features sound recognition, which is coming in a software update later this year. It can hear smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and alert your iPhone. As this is a software update, it seems highly plausible this feature could also make it to the HomePod mini. Conversely, the new HomePod actually borrows the fantastic "hand-off" feature from the HomePod mini, which uses UWB frequencies to "hand off" music from your iPhone to your HomePod by simply holding it close to the smart speaker. 

Today is a good day for anyone in three countries who have been waiting patiently to buy a HomePod mini.

Today, Apple began accepting orders for its tiny smart speaker — the HomePod Mini — in Finland, Norway, and Sweden. According to the Apple Store website in each country, orders are currently sitting between four to six business days in terms of delivery. All five colors are available including space gray, white, blue, orange, and yellow.

Apple had previously announced that the HomePod mini would be available in each of the three countries starting on Tuesday, December 13, so the company seems to have beaten its own expectation in terms of a launch date here. Perhaps the supply chain issues are starting to subside! 

The HomePod mini is small but mighty

The HomePod Mini is Apple's latest smart speaker and offers a range of features, including the ability to control smart home devices using HomeKit, play music from a range of music streaming services, and provide information using Siri.

One of the key features of the HomePod Mini is its ability to control smart home devices using Apple's smart home platform, HomeKit. This allows users to easily control their lights, thermostat, and other connected devices using voice commands.

In addition to its smart home capabilities, the HomePod Mini also offers high-quality audio (for such a tiny speaker) and can be used to play music from a variety of sources, including Apple Music, Pandora, and other streaming services. It also has Siri built-in, allowing users to ask questions and receive answers, set reminders, and more.

The HomePod Mini is a smaller version of the original HomePod and is designed to be more affordable and accessible to a wider range of customers. It features a compact design that is easy to move around the home and can be used in a variety of settings. That said, rumors of a return of the larger HomePod continue to grow.

The HomePod Mini is now available to order directly from Apple in Finland, Norway, and Sweden. It is priced at €109 in Finland, 1,249 kr in Norway, and 1,295 kr in Sweden. Of course, consumers in the U.S. can still get their hands on it with an MSRP of $99.99.

The company has confirmed that Apple's HomePod mini is coming to Africa for the first time on December 19.

The smart speaker is already being sold in Norway and Sweden before the Christmas holidays, and now South Africans will join in when the diminutive smart speaker goes on sale for the first time.

Listen up

Interestingly, Apple's press release confirming the HomePod mini's arrival doesn't give a price for the speaker, and there is currently no listing in the South African Apple Store either.

Apple has at least confirmed that all five HomePod mini colors would be available for South Africans to choose from, including white, space gray, blue, orange, and yellow. All colors come with matching mesh coverings, backlit touch interfaces, and a braided power cable.

The speaker will be identical to the one on sale in other countries worldwide, including the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and many more. The HomePod mini will also go on sale in Denmark in the spring of 2023, Apple has confirmed — but no definite release date has been offered, and it isn't clear why there is such a delay, either.

The HomePod mini offers hands-free Siri control and support for AirPlay which means it can be used with a wide range of devices. Apple also points out that it can be paired with the Apple TV 4K to deliver "a powerful sound experience with great range."

Apple also points out that the "HomePod mini utilizes 99% recycled rare earth elements, with the neodymium magnet in the speaker driver utilizing 100% recycled rare earth elements." In addition, the mesh covering is also made from more than 90% recycled plastic.

The HomePod mini will be available via Apple and Apple Authorized Resellers across South Africa starting December 19.

Apple has confirmed that it is bringing the HomePod mini to customers in Sweden and Norway starting December 13, 2022. The speaker will cost SEK 1,295 and NOK 1,249 respectively.

Arguably Apple's best HomePod — and certainly the only one you can still buy today — the HomePod mini will be available in white, space gray, blue, orange, and yellow and will have the same color-matched details including mesh fabric, touchpad, and braided power cable.

First spotted by MacRumors, Apple announced the impending availability of the HomePod mini in separate Swedish and Norwegian press releases. The details are essentially the same across the board, however, and these are the same HomePod mini speakers that much of the world has been able to buy for some time now.

That means that the HomePod mini comes with an Apple-designed S5 chip and supports features like Handoff and "Hey Siri." Apple also notes that the HomePod mini can be paired with the Apple TV 4K for an improved sound experience when watching TV shows and movies, too.

In terms of audio, the HomePod mini's "Apple-designed acoustic waveguide directs sound down and out of the base of the speaker to create an immersive 360-degree sound experience," the company says.

Just like other HomePods, the Swedish and Norwegian HomePod minis also support Intercom for quick and easy communications within a household, while AirPlay support means people can play their music from an iPhone or iPad on a HomePod mini — instead of using Siri to get the party started, for example.

Apple says that customers will be able to buy the HomePod mini via the Swedish and Norwegian Apple Stores come December 13, while the miniature smart speaker will also be available via Apple Authorised Resellers and select suppliers as well.

The HomePod mini now supports Siri in Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish, thanks to recent software updates. Danish hasn't been fully supported, but reports by MacRumors recently have indicated it is in testing. This has fuelled speculation that the HomePod mini will launch in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

The HomePod mini is not only a great speaker but a perfect HomeKit hub and a great device for using Siri. Of course, if Siri doesn't understand the language you're speaking, the virtual assistant is basically useless, which is why Apple often adds new languages so more consumers can get their hands on its products.

The HomePod mini is currently sold in about 18 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Austria, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, China, the U.S., and more. It retails for $99. 

What's this mean for the future?

Back in August, Mark Gurman said that Apple could be working on a new version of the HomePod, as well as up to four home devices. 

The first of these four new home products, as Gurman believes, is a new high-end HomePod to replace the previous generation that has been discontinued. While nothing has been set in stone yet, from rumored reports, the new HomePod will likely retain the same design as the first-generation model and also be a similar size.

Of course, having new languages on board for Siri should mean that when if and when a new HomePod launches (or other Siri home device), Apple should be able to sell it in more countries on launch day.

Still no official word on whether or not there will be an Apple October event this year or if Apple will just release a series of products via press releases. Regardless a new HomePod this month was a bit of a stretch anyways, as we expect the new products launching before the end of the year to be iPads and Macs. 

Apple's smart speakers — the HomePod and the HomePod mini — are an excellent way to create a more immersive experience with the Apple TV. However, to truly take advantage of premium sound, you need to know how to set your HomePod as your default speaker. This convenient feature works with videos, apps, and games, so you won't have to jump through menu after menu every time you turn on the TV. Here's how to set your HomePod as your default speaker for Apple TV.

Requirements

To get started with using your HomePod as your default speaker on Apple TV, you must be running iOS 14.2 or later on your HomePod and tvOS 14.2 or later on Apple TV 4K. You will also need to have a home set up in the Home app, and both your Apple TV 4K and HomePod must reside in the same room.

How to set your HomePod as your default speaker on Apple TV

Note: This feature is only available with the Apple TV 4K. Changing default audio output does not work with the Apple TV HD or earlier Apple TV models.

1. Open Settings on your Apple TV.
2. Click Video and Audio.

3. Click Audio Output.
4. Click the name of your HomePod.
   • Setting your HomePod as your default audio output may take a few moments to complete. You can confirm that your HomePod is the default speaker by looking for a HomePod icon while adjusting your Apple TV volume.

How to set your HomePod as your default speaker through the Home app

In addition to setting up your HomePod as a default speaker directly on the Apple TV 4K, you can also use the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap the Ellipses icon (on iPad or Mac, skip to the next step).
3. Tap the Room that includes your Apple TV.

4. Tap your Apple TV.
5. Tap the Settings icon.
6. Tap Default Audio Output.

7. Tap the HomePod that you wish to use.
   • Only HomePods assigned to the same room as the Apple TV will be available for selection.
   • HomePods in a Stereo Pair can also be used.
8. Tap Back after selecting your HomePod.
9. Tap the X button to save your selection.

Take your movie nights to the next level with HomePod

By setting your HomePod as your default speaker for your Apple TV 4K, you no longer have to worry about switching to it whenever you want a more immersive experience. Switching to the HomePod as the default speaker also moves all of the Apple TV's audio to the smart speaker, including navigation sounds, HomeKit camera audio, and even sounds from games.

If you want to get someone's attention without grabbing your iPhone, then you need to know how to use Intercom. With Intercom, you can send messages directly to all iPhones, Apple Watches, HomePods, and Siri-enabled devices in your home using your voice. Unlike a standard audio message, Intercom messages play automatically on your family's devices— perfect for letting everyone know when dinner is ready. Here's how to use Intercom and manage your home's settings in the Home app.

Requirements

To use Intercom, you must be running iOS 14.2 or later on your iOS devices and HomePods and have a home set up in the Home app. The Intercom feature is also available on Apple Watches running watchOS 7.1 or later and with AirPods and CarPlay. Unfortunately, the Intercom feature is unavailable on macOS and tvOS.

How to setup Intercom in the Home app

Setting up and managing the Intercom feature takes place in the Home app. Intercom will appear the first time you launch the Home app, guiding you through the setup process. During setup, you will choose notification settings and user permissions.

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap Continue when the Intercom prompt appears.
3. Tap Never, When I'm Home, or Anywhere.

4. Tap Continue.
5. Tap the switch next to a person's Name to enable or disable Intercom access.
6. Tap Continue to finish.

How to use your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or HomePod as an Intercom with Siri

The simplest way to send an Intercom message is with your voice via Siri. This option is available through Siri on all your devices, and with Hey, Siri enabled, you can send messages hands-free anytime.

Note: We are using iPhone screenshots to illustrate the Siri interactions of the commands, but you can use Siri directly on your HomePod, Apple Watch, or iPad to achieve these results.

• Activate Siri and then give a voice command like "Intercom" or Send an Intercom" followed by your message. When you finish speaking, Siri will automatically send the message to everyone in the Home. If you want to send an intercom message to a specific HomePod or room in your home, give a command like "Intercom to the Living Room" followed by your message.

How to use your iPhone or iPad as an Intercom with the Home app

You can also use the Home app available on your iPhone or iPad to send Intercom messages. Intercom messages will still include your actual voice through the Home app, and your messages require confirmation before sending them.

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap the Intercom icon.
3. Speak the Message that you would like to send to your home, then tap Done to send.
   • To cancel a message, tap the X icon or anywhere outside the intercom screen.

How to use your Apple Watch as an Intercom with the Home app

Like iOS and iPadOS, you can use the Home app on watchOS 7.1 or later to send Intercom messages. You can also cancel a message using the Home app before it goes out, which will undoubtedly come in handy.

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap Intercom.
3. Speak the Message that you would like to send to your home, then tap Done to send.
   • To cancel a message, tap the Back icon.

How to manage Intercom notifications on iPhone or iPad

You can manage when Intercom notifications are active on your iPhone or iPad through the Home app. You can disable Intercom notifications altogether if desired and limit the delivery of Intercom notifications to only when you are home or at all times.

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap the Ellipses icon.
3. Tap Home Settings.

4. Tap Intercom.
5. Tap Never, When I'm Home, or Anywhere.
   • These options utilize the location data from your iPhone or iPad to determine when to send Intercom notifications and are only available if you have Location Access set for the Home app.

How to manage Intercom devices

If you have multiple HomePods or Siri-enabled accessories like an ecobee SmartThermostat around your home, you can use the Home app to manage which devices can use Intercom. By disabling specific HomePods or accessories, you won't have to worry about nuisance notifications in particular locations.

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap the Ellipses icon.
3. Tap Home Settings.

4. Tap Intercom.
5. Tap the toggles for the HomePods or devices that you wish to use with Intercom.

How to manage Intercom permissions

If you share HomeKit accessories with friends and family through the Home app, you can manage who has access to the Intercom for your home. By default, everyone you share your home with will have access to the Intercom, which may not be ideal for people you don't live with, so you can disable access in these cases.

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap the Ellipses icon.
3. Tap Home Settings.

4. Tap Intercom.
5. Tap the toggles next to a person's Name to enable or disable Intercom access.
   • This feature works with the Remote Access option, so anyone with permission can send and receive messages even while they are outside the home.

Get everyone's attention with Intercom

Now that you know how to use Intercom, you can grab the attention of everyone in your home with just a shout. With Intercom, you can summon your family when dinner is ready without having to lift a finger, ask a quick question without walking across the house, or even use it to brighten someone's day with a personalized voice message.

Apple's smart speakers are great for playing your tunes with Siri on-demand — but did you know that you can set up the HomePod and HomePod mini to play Apple Music tracks as soon as you walk through the door? Setting this excellent feature up is simple, and if you know how to create an automation in the Home app, you already know how to do most of the work. Is this your first time with automation? Don't worry — it's easy! Here's how to set up the HomePod to play music when you arrive home.

How to set up HomePod and HomePod mini to play music when you arrive home

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap the Add Button (looks like a plus sign).
3. Tap Add Automation.

4. Tap People Arrive.
5. Tap Anyone Arrives or The First Person Arrives.
   • Tap the i button to select whose location will be taken into consideration for the automation if you share your home with others.
   • Tap Location to set a different location like a work address if desired.
6. Tap Time, then tap a specific time to set when the automation is active.

7. Tap Next.
8. Tap the HomePod that you wish to play music on.
   • You can select more than one HomePod if desired.
9. Tap Next.

10. Tap Play Audio.
11. Tap Play Audio if it is not already selected.
12. Tap Choose Audio....

13. Tap Library and navigate to a song or playlist.
    • You can also use Listen Now, Browse, or the Search field to locate a song.
14. Tap the Plus icon next to the song you would like to use for this automation.
    • If selecting an album or playlist, use the Plus icon to add all of the songs within.
15. Tap additional options such as Repeat or Shuffle.

16. Tap Use Current Volume or Set Custom Volume and use the slider to set your desired volume.
17. Tap Back.
18. Tap Done to save the automation.

Give yourself a warm welcome with your HomePod and your favorite tunes

Once your automation is ready, your HomePod or HomePod mini will welcome you home with your favorite tunes from Apple Music. Be sure to check your volume options on the automation before saving. Without setting the volume, your HomePod may greet you with an unexpected serenade of loud music at the level you were listening to previously.

What you need to know

• Apple's HomePod mini is rolling out in three more countries.
• It launched today in Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
• It's a fantastic smart speaker with Siri integration and more.

Apple's brilliant HomePod mini is today launching in three new countries, the company has announced.

Apple has confirmed it is rolling out the HomePod mini in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The device will cost 99 Swiss francs, or 109 euros depending on where you buy it.

All five colors of the device, white, space grey, blue, orange, and yellow, are now available via Apple's respective online stores in each country, and the device is now sold in more than 19 countries and regions. Apple has also confirmed that new subscribers who buy the device will get Apple Music free for six months with any HomePod mini purchase.

We absolutely love the HomePod mini's tiny form factor, and its great integration with all of Apple's hardware and software, and is one of the best iPhone companions you can get for listening to music and streaming audio thanks to its very affordable price tage.

Apple quietly confirmed the rollout to its new countries following its 'Peek Performance' March event, where the company unveiled its new iPhone SE, iPad Air, Studio Display, and Mac Studio powered by the all-new M1 Ultra chip, the fastest and most-powerful Apple silicon chip yet.

What you need to know

• Apple is bringing the HomePod mini to three more countries.
• The company announced that it is releasing the speaker in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium.
• It will release the HomePod mini in all three countries by the end of March.

Earlier today, Apple hosted its "Peek Performance" event where the company announced the next generation of the iPhone SE, iPad Air, and new colors for the iPhone 13 lineup. It also introduced the Mac Studio and Studio Display, two completely new products for the company and its customers.

While the event didn't mention anything regarding the HomePod mini, Apple has revealed that it is bringing the tiny smart speaker to three more countries by the end of this month.

Spotted by 9to5Mac, Apple has announced that it will bring the HomePod mini to the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium. All three countries will begin selling the product by the end of March.

The HomePod mini retails for $99 USD, a third of what Apple sold the discontinued HomePod for.

What you need to know

• Apple is testing HomePod mini smart speakers in both Denmark and Norway.
• Reports surfaced yesterday that showed HomePod mini being tested in Sweden.
• A launch in all three countries plus the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Russia seems likely before too long.

Apple is rumored to have designs on launching its HomePod mini smart speaker in a raft of new countries following the news that it is being tested in Denmark and Norway. This comes after yesterday's discovery that similar tests are underway in Sweden.

Following reports by recordere.dk that Danish and Norwegian tests are underway it now seems to only be a matter of time before the smart speaker goes on sale in those countries. The same presumably goes for Sweden, too.

As MacRumors notes, Apple recently added language support for the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Russia to the HomePod software last month, suggesting they could also be getting their first taste of HomePod mini soon.

Apple's HomePod mini went on sale in October 2020 and was refreshed in November 2021 to add some new colors. Now, white, space gray, yellow, orange, and blue colors are available. They are all functionally identical, however.

Not really feeling Apple's smart speaker? These are the best HomePod mini alternatives around today.

What you need to know

• Apple is testing HomePod mini in Sweden.
• HomePod mini's Siri can't currently speak Swedish.

Apple has seeded some Swedish testers with HomePod mini units, a smart speaker that has so far not officially been released in the country.

According to a report by the Swedish-language website Teknivecka, Apple has given some beta testers a HomePod mini on which to test Siri in their native language. HomePods don't currently support Swedish Siri, except on these test devices.

According to the report, Apple is using a third party to seed the units to testers.

Via machine translation:

There's even a video of a HomePod mini in action:

There is no telling when Apple will release the HomePod mini in Sweden or when Siri will officially speak Swedish, but the news that tests are underway should be good news to those who want to be able to bag Apple's smart speaker in the country.

The HomePod and HomePod mini are known for room-filling sound and hands-free Siri control, but did you know that you can use Apple's smart speaker as a HomeKit security alarm? That's right, the HomePod and HomePod mini can work with various HomeKit sensors, allowing you to create a DIY security system using the accessories you may already have. All it takes is a few taps in the Home app and a subscription to Apple Music. Here's how to use HomePod as a HomeKit alarm.

How to use HomePod or HomePod mini as a HomeKit security alarm

In this example, we will be using a HomeKit door and window sensor to create an alarm automation. You can also use a HomeKit motion sensor — including those built-in to most HomeKit security cameras.

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap the Add Button (it looks like a plus sign).
3. Tap Add Automation.

4. Tap A Sensor Detects Something.
5. Tap the Accessory that you want to use as your trigger for the HomePod.
6. Tap Next.

7. Tap Opens/Closes or Detects Motion/Stops Detecting Motion depending on your accessory type.
8. Tap Time and set the specific times that you want the automation to be active.
9. Tap People to set location-based conditions for when the automation will run.

10. Tap Next.
11. Tap your HomePod or multiple HomePods if you have more than one.
12. Tap Next.

13. Tap Play Audio.
14. Tap Choose Audio....
15. Tap the Search field or navigate to a song or sound in your music library.

16. Type a name of an album, song, or sound using the keyboard.
    • We recommend searching for "alarm sounds," but you can use any song or sound from Apple Music.
17. Tap Search.
18. Tap an Album or skip to the next step if you see a song or sound that you want to use in the search results.

19. Tap the Add icon (looks like a plus sign) next to a sound or song.
20. Tap the toggle next to Repeat.
    • You can leave this off if you want your sound or song to only play once.
21. Tap Set Custom Volume and use the slider to set your desired volume level.
    • You can also choose Use Current Volume if you want your HomePod to use the last volume level.

22. Tap Back.
23. Tap Turn Off and set your desired duration for how long your alarm should sound.
    • If you want your sound to play until you turn it off, choose Never.
24. Tap Done to save your automation.

You now have your HomePod set to activate the assigned alarm sound when a motion event occurs or when your security device triggers. To stop your alarm, tell Siri on the HomePod to stop or create a HomeKit scene that pauses playback on the HomePod. You can then assign it as a favorite in the Home App for easy access.

Secure your home with your HomePod and the Home app

As you can see, using your HomePod as a DIY security alarm is a breeze. All you need is a security device like a HomeKit motion sensor and an Apple Music subscription. There are tons of sounds available to keep would-be intruders at bay, including horns, sirens, and even dogs barking — all just a tap away. For maximum security, be sure to leverage the HomePod or HomePod mini's power by cranking up the volume for your automation.

What you need to know

• Apple has doubled its share of the smart speaker market.
• The release of the HomePod mini is driving Apple's performance.

Apple's HomePod mini is doing better than probably anyone thought.

According to new data from Strategy Analytics, Apple nearly doubled its share of the smart speaker market with its tiny smart speaker. In Q3 of 2020 (when Apple launched the HomePod mini), it had only 5.9% market share. That has nearly doubled (92% to be exact) to 10.2% in Q3 of 2021. Amazon and Google continue to dominate the industry with almost 50% market share between the two of them.

Unfortunately, it does not appear that the smart speaker industry is able to keep up with demand. David Watkins, Director of Intelligent Home, said that almost all brands are experiencing supply chain issues.

Jack Narcotta, the Principal Industry Analyst in Smart Home, predicts that the market will not return to pre-COVID levels of performance until at least two years from now.

Apple originally released the HomePod mini in October of 2020. The tiny smart speaker was the successor to the original HomePod. With its smaller footprint and much smaller price point, the smart speaker became a much larger success for Apple than the original. The company recently released a range of new colors for HomePod mini right before the holiday season.

The HomePod mini is a bargain at its regular price of £89, at £49 it is an unmissable deal. 

Right now at Very in the UK new customers can get a £40 voucher that discounts the price of HomePod mini to just £49. iMore can confirm that this deal works and there's even a way to get around the fact the discount is meant as a refund after you've paid full price.

Here's the full scoop on how to get one below.

£49. I repeat £49.

Code BLCDDS40 will only work for new Very customers, so maybe get a friend or relative to log in if you've already got an account set up. (The process is very quick and easy).

You'll enter your details including name, contact details, and address, before proceeding to your basket. The promo code section is on the right-hand side of the page underneath the price, just copy and paste the above code in there.

You'll notice at this point a green box that states:

Now, if you're happy to receive your discount this way, you can simply go ahead and complete the order using a debit or credit card. If not, simply use PayPal.

This will charge you the full discounted amount with no need to wait for the credit adjustment, and that's how I took advantage of the deal, as seen below.

There's a small delivery fee that pales in comparison to the saving, and the only other thing to note is Very doesn't stock yellow or orange HomePods, only white, black, and blue.

While the HomePod mini certainly delivers impressive sound for its size, the small footprint and low pricepoint mean that it doesn't pack the latest and greatest hardware inside. The HomePod mini is powered by an Apple S5 processor — the same as the Apple Watch Series 5, which may not be powerful enough to handle Spatial Audio technology — like Dolby Atmos.

Dolby Atmos creates Spatial Audio by allowing the source to designate where a sound originates from within a movie scene or a music track. Dolby Atmos compatible speakers can simulate the source location by projecting sound upward, bouncing sound off of ceilings overhead. It gives you an authentic surround sound experience combined with channels from other speakers in your environment. Sadly, the HomePod mini just can't handle it.

Yes! Although the original HomePod is no longer available, you can experience Dolby Atmos via Apple's larger smart speaker by upgrading to HomePod software 15.1 — if you can find one. If you have two HomePods, you can take things even further by creating a Stereo Pair. If you're lucky enough to have one, you can really take advantage of that surround sound feeling.

If you don't want to track down an original HomePod but still want Spatial Audio, then our guide best soundbars with Dolby Atmos is a great place to start. Soundbars are an excellent alternative to the traditional 5.1 home theater setup that can be mounted on a wall or placed directly under your TV. Some soundbars — like the second-generation Sonos Beam, also allow you to add additional speakers to create a more immersive experience.

While the HomePod mini might not be able to provide you with Dolby Atmos, these alternatives should do the job.

What you need to know

• Apple has enabled Dutch Siri support for HomePods.
• No HomePods have ever been sold in the Netherlands, suggesting that might change soon.

Apple has added support for Dutch to Siri on HomePods, despite the original HomePod having never been on sale in the country. That suggests that Apple could be planning to bring HomePod mini to the Netherlands sooner rather than later.

According to an iCulture report, Apple added Dutch HomePod support alongside the latest iOS 15.2 and beta HomePod software release — an interesting move considering no HomePod has been sold in the country. That would appear to suggest that could change soon.

There seems to be little reason for Apple to add Dutch support if it doesn't intend to launch a HomePod mini in the Netherlands, so fingers are crossed that people in that part of the world could be getting their HomePod on soon.

Apple's HomePod mini received a slight refresh recently, picking up some new colors but no new functionality.

Apple's HomePod mini is a fantastic speaker for literally anywhere in your house, be it the kitchen, office, living room, or bedroom. One of the best things about the HomePod mini is its fantastic starter price, which makes it much more affordable than the old HomePod, and makes it a lot more feasible to buy up multiple devices to take advantage of features like Intercom and HomeKit control using Siri. Cyber Monday is great time to get your hands on one. Discounts are slim because the HomePod mini is relatively new and already quite cheap to begin with, but Cyber Monday deals now available could score you as much as $10. There are also some great bundles to be found.

With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, now is a great time to get your first HomePod mini or two to fill your home with sound in every room. Here are the best Cyber Monday HomePod deals that you can find now, and be sure to check out our guide to the best Cyber Monday deals for even more savings!

Cyber Monday HomePod deals

B&H is a front runner for deals this year, offering $5 off the entire HomePod range including the three new colors. Other options include bundles from Best Buy that pair the mini speaker with smart lights or even Apple's AirPods.

Where to find the best Cyber Monday HomePod deals

Amazon surprisingly doesn't sell the HomePod mini currently, so if you're looking for a good deal, you'll want to try some other retailers like the ones listed below.

• Best Buy: Has HomePod mini deals and sometimes bundles it with smart lights.
• Walmart: You'll sometimes find a good deal onHomePod around the holidays
• Target: 5% RedCard savings can make things cheaper than other retailers.

When do the Cyber Monday HomePod deals start?

The HomePod mini — especially the new colored ones — are relatively new, so finding deals on them may be a little tricky; however, we expect some retailers to start offering deals leading up to Cyber Monday and more retailers to follow suit on November 26 itself.

What you need to know

• Apple's HomePod mini now comes in new colors in Australia and New Zealand.
• Buyers can choose between orange, yellow, and blue alongside the space gray and white versions.

Apple has made its popular HomePod mini available to more people with customers in both Australia and New Zealand now able to pick up new color options. The new orange, yellow, and blue colors join the already-available space gray and white offerings.

Beyond the new colors, all of the HomePod minis are exactly the same as the old ones in terms of functionality and capability. But those colors do look pretty striking!

As reported by MacRumors, the new HomePod mini comes with a standard 20W USB-C power brick in the box while the new colors also have matching power cables, topo.

In terms of pricing, Australians will pay AUD$149 while New Zealanders will pay NZ$159 — and both prices include appropriate tax.

While in-store pickup is an option for people ordering online in Australia, that isn't going to work for those who live in New Zealand. The country doesn't currently have an Apple Store to call its own, leaving home delivery as the only option for those buyers. Delivery windows currently sit at just a few days at worst, although that could lengthen depending on supply and demand.

Picking up a new HomePod mini — or two! — for yourself? Be sure to check out our collection of the best HomePod mini accessories when you do. Those little speakers sound pretty great, and who doesn't love to accessorize?

Looking for a bargain? Black Friday is just around the corner and you know what that means — bargains!

What you need to know

• HomePod mini is reportedly coming to Italy tomorrow.
• Apple said earlier this year that HomePod mini would arrive in Italy at some point in 2021.

Apple's colorful HomePod mini will go on sale in Italy as soon as tomorrow, November 23, according to a new report. This comes after Apple said earlier this year that Italians would be able to buy the miniature HomePod at some point before the end of 2021.

According to an iSpazio report, tomorrow is the day.

Via Google Translate:

The report has all five colors of HomePod mini going on sale tomorrow for the same €99 asking price. Apple is yet to announce anything official, however.

Apple's HomePod mini is a smaller version of the original HomePod and is also the only smart speaker the company currently makes. It was originally released in white and space gray colors, with orange, blue, and yellow all being announced during October's Apple vent. The fact that all five colors will go on sale simultaneously makes sense and it gives Italians more options to choose the right color for their decor than the rest of the world had at launch.

Picking up a new HomePod? Check out our list of the best HomePod mini accessories and make sure you're all set for your new speaker's arrival!

What you need to know

• All three new HomePod mini colors are available to buy.
• The new orange, yellow, and blue colors join the existing white and space gray offerings.
• All five HomePod mini colors sell for $99.

Apple's newly colorful HomePod mini is now available for purchase, the company has confirmed. New yellow, orange, and blue colors join the existing white and space gray and are available right now for $99. Anyone looking to save a little should check out our list of the best HomePod deals before placing an order, though.

The new HomePod minis are functionally identical to the previous ones, but this time they've been given a hint of color that was previously unavailable.

While customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico can now place their orders, those in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan will be waiting a few hours before their stores are updated. It's even worse news for other parts of the world, however. Australia, Austria, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and the UK will need to wait until "later this month" for their own HomePod mini colors to go on sale.

Anyone who has been waiting for a fancy new HomePod color to choose from is in for a treat, but there's no reason for anyone who already owns one of the less interesting colors to upgrade, unfortunately.

What you need to know

• New HomePod mini colors go on sale soon and people are already unboxing them.
• YouTube videos showing the yellow, blue, and red colors have appeared online.
• We still don't know when the new speakers will go on sale.

Apple's hot new HomePod mini colors go on sale soon and now we're being treated to our first real look at them via YouTube unboxing videos.

The new speakers, which will go on sale soon, are functionally identical to the current space gray and white versions but now also come in yellow, orange, and blue. And they're quite the lookers.

Check them out!

Rene Ritchie

Brian Tong

Katamogz

When they're finally made available the new colors will be offered in the United States, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, and the UK. Both the white and space gray colors are hanging around as well, giving people more options than ever when picking up a new miniature HomePod.

All of the new colors will sell for the same $99 as the old ones, while anyone looking to bag a bargain should definitely check out our list of the best HomePod deals before placing their order.

What you need to know

• A new report says Apple's new HomePod mini colors will launch next week.
• The report says that they could launch on November 1.
• Apple announced the new colors at its "Unleashed" event.

Apple's new colors for the HomePod mini could launch as soon as next week.

According to a new report from AppleTrack, the new HomePod mini colors could officially launch on November 1. While Apple only said they will be available in November, the outlet says that sources are telling them the new Blue, Orange, and Yellow colors will launch next Monday.

The final products announced at Apple's October 'Unleashed' event will release next week, according to people familiar with the matter.

• New Blue, Orange and Yellow color options for HomePod mini will be available for order as soon as Monday, the people said
• The fresh colors that were announced alongside third-generation AirPods and redesigned MacBook Pro models earlier this month join the existing lineup of Space Gray and White

Our take: While Apple has confirmed the new colors will launch in November, they haven't provided an official date. We're hearing November 1.

Apple announced the addition of the three new colors at its "Unleashed" event earlier this month. The new colors will join the existing Black and White options that the company has been selling since the launch of its small smart speaker.

During Apple's "Unleashed" event, on top of brand new MacBook Pros, the company also dropped AirPods 3 and three new colors for the HomePod mini, bringing the total number of colors for Cupertino's smart speaker to five. If you haven't bought a HomePod mini yet, now is the perfect time to buy one. But one question remains: which color should you get? Don't worry; we're here to help you out.

The most stunning color of them all

Whenever Apple releases a new color for hardware, it seems that blue is always one of the most popular choices, and this also applies to the HomePod mini. This is a deep blue hue that would pair nicely with the best iPhone, which is the blue iPhone 13, or even the pacific blue iPhone 12 Pro, if that's what you're rocking. It's also quite a neutral color that isn't black or white, allowing you to add a bit of something different to any room.

Perfect for the holidays

Those who love the fall, especially for Halloween and even Thanksgiving, are sure to enjoy the orange color for HomePod mini. The orange HomePod mini is bold and will make a statement for any eccentric room in the house, and it would go great with your existing Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations too. Or, if you just love bright and bold colors, then orange is a great choice.

It's like having a beam of sunshine in the house

Love having a shiny ray of sunshine in your home? Then the yellow HomePod mini is sure to brighten up your home, just like summer. Having this cheery yellow in a room is sure to make it stand out and bring a smile to everyone's face, just like a beam of sunlight or even a sunflower. If you pair it with the orange, it's perfect for general fall decor.

The classic Apple aesthetic

Are you more of a traditionalist? Then the white HomePod mini is a tried and true classic that looks good in any room with any decor. It's a bright white that screams Apple, and it pairs with all of your other Apple hardware. What's not to love?

Going dark

Those who want something that goes with any room, any decor, and don't want something that gets dirty easily will want the space gray HomePod mini. It's a classic color that goes with anything, and it blends in much nicer if you want to keep it subtle.

What's your HomePod mini color?

While the HomePod mini is not a new product, Apple has added three new colors to the lineup, giving it a nice little refresh. It's a great little smart speaker for those heavy into the Apple ecosystem, bringing Siri to every room in the house.

Our favorite new color is the blue HomePod mini, and it goes so nicely with the new blue iPhone 13 too. It's a great in-between for color while staying neutral, and it's far from boring.

If you want to go with something bolder, then the orange and yellow HomePod minis are definitely going to stand out in any room. They're also fantastic for the holiday season or go well for summer and fall. Traditionalists will want to stick with the space gray or white colors, as those are classic, neutral, and have a subtle touch.

What you need to know

• Apple has released a new video for its new HomePod mini colors.
• "HomePod mini, now in color" introduces three new colors for the smart speaker.
• The new colors will be available in November.

At today's "Unleashed" event, Apple announced that it is finally bringing some new color options to its HomePod mini speaker. The company announced that it will be offering its tiny smart speaker in three new colors: Blue, Orange, and Yellow.

To celebrate the new colors, Apple has released a new video that introduces them in fun fashion. You can check out the new video below:

In addition to announcing the new HomePod mini colors, Apple also revealed its new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. The new laptops feature the company's new M1 Pro and M1 Max processors, a mini-LED display, all of the ports, MagSafe charging, a notch, and much more.

The company also announced the 3rd generation AirPods. The new AirPods adopt much of the design and features of the AirPods Pro with Adaptive EQ, sweat and water-resistant design, support for Spatial Audio, and wireless charging on its case.

Apple also unveiled a new subscription tier for Apple Music: the Voice Plan. The new plan, which costs $4.99 per month, is for one user and limits you to only use Siri to access the music you want to play. It has made added as a third option alongside the existing Apple Music plans.

Picture this — you're settling in for a quiet evening enjoying a good book, maybe a nice drink, and you command your HomePod to play some music to complete the ultimate chill vibe you want for your evening. Unfortunately, the last person to play music on your HomePod was having an absolute rager, so even though you are trying to play chill music, the bass is just blaring as soon as you turn it on.

Okay, in all seriousness, the HomePod and HomePod mini have some pretty impressive low-end sound — especially when you have the volume up. While that prominent bass is fantastic if you want a heart-pumping musical experience, when it's late at night, you don't want to disturb others in your place, or you just want a more chill vibe, that bass can be a little too good. Here's how to reduce bass on your HomePod in the Home app.

How to reduce bass on HomePod

Don't forget; this feature was released in version 15.0 of the HomePod software. If you don't see the Reduce Bass option by following the steps below, be sure you've updated your HomePod to the latest version.

1. Launch the Home app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap and hold on the HomePod you want to bring up the device menu.

3. Tap the Settings button. It looks like a little gear. You may have to scroll down to see it.
4. Tap the Reduce Bass On/Off Switch. The switch will be green when the feature is active.

If you ever want to turn the Reduce Bass feature off again. just follow the same steps listed above. The switch will go gray when the feature is disabled.

Mini-smart speakers have become commonplace. Go to anybody's home and you are likely to find one in the kitchen or living room. Both Apple and Amazon currently have similar-looking, yet very different, versions of a mini smart speaker available. Let's take a look at the Apple HomePod mini and the Amazon Echo Dot and see what is similar, what is different, and which one is the best for you.

HomePod mini vs Amazon Echo Dot: Let's compare

You may buy a smart speaker for many reasons, including playing music and podcasts, controlling smart home devices, and asking a voice assistant to play the news or weather report. Both of these smart speakers can help with that, but what else is there on offer? Let's take a look at some key similarities and differences.

The HomePod mini and the Echo Dot have very similar visual designs. They are both spherical smart speakers that weigh virtually the same. The HomePod mini is actually 0.2 inches smaller than the Echo Dot, but they both have the same 3.9-inch width. As far as color choices go, the HomePod mini is available in space gray or white, while the Echo Dot can be purchased in charcoal, glazier white, or twilight blue.

The HomePod mini has more networking features such as Thread and Ultra-Wideband. Both are smart hubs and the HomePod mini integrates directly with HomeKit accessories. However, the Echo Dot has an audio out jack so that you can use it with external speakers, while there is no way to output audio with the HomePod mini.

HomePod mini vs Amazon Echo Dot: Exploring the features

The HomePod mini is, at its heart, an Apple speaker. It has great sound coming from its relatively small body. It uses Siri for voice control, so iPhone users will immediately be familiar with how to use it. It integrates with HomeKit so it will control all of your HomeKit devices. All you have to do is ask Siri to play your favorite song or turn on the lights, and you're all set. It works best with an Apple Music subscription, although selected other music services will integrate with Siri, such as Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and Deezer. You can also play anything from your iPhone or iPad on your HomePod mini via AirPlay 2, but that somewhat defeats the purpose of a voice-controlled smart speaker.

The HomePod mini will also integrate with your Apple TV, so if your TV speakers don't cut it, you can have a less expensive way of adding high-quality sound to your favorite TV shows and movies. You can even use it as an intercom to reach other HomePods or HomePod minis in your home, as well as any iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch on your account.

Using the Echo Dot is quite similar. You can use Alexa to find the music you want to listen to from almost any music service available, not just limited to the few that are compatible with the HomePod mini. Simply link your account in the Alexa app and the Echo Dot will recognize the command when you ask for it. For example, "Play Queen on Apple Music" or "Play Howard Stern on Sirius XM". You can also control your smart home with any device that is integrated with Alexa, and even play audiobooks and podcasts throughout your home from your favorite services.

The Echo Dot has an intercom feature that you can use to call other Echo devices throughout your home. You can also make announcements that will reach every Echo device in your home, so instead of yelling that dinner is ready, you can simply ask Alexa to relay the message.

The Echo Dot is a direct portal to your Amazon account, so you can easily place orders on Amazon through Alexa. Your Echo Dot will send notifications when a delivery has arrived or a reminder if it's time to reorder a product that you consistently order.

HomePod mini vs Amazon Echo Dot: Controls and sound

The HomePod mini has a touchpad on top with volume up and down control. You can use the touchpad to tap commands such as advancing tracks or summoning Siri. The Echo Dot features volume up and down buttons, a mic on/off button, and an action button that has different uses in different scenarios.

According to Apple, the HomePod mini has a "full-range driver and dual passive radiators for deep bass and crisp high frequencies." This means that you can expect clear, loud, undistorted sound pumping out of the HomePod mini. In contrast, the Echo Dot has a single 1.6-inch front-firing speaker. At peak volumes, the Echo Dot has some distortion, but that's not surprising for a speaker that costs $50. If it's sound quality you're after, the HomePod mini will produce better sound than the Echo Dot overall.

HomePod mini vs Amazon Echo Dot: Which should you buy?

The decision on which mini smart speaker to buy comes down to many factors, one of the most important being price. The HomePod mini is $99 and the Echo Dot is $50 (although you can frequently find it on sale for less). Is paying double the price worth it for the Homepod mini? Or should you save some money and grab an Echo Dot? Or even buy two Echo Dots for the price of one HomePod mini. 

Your choice also comes down to your preferred ecosystem. If you are deep into the Apple ecosystem, an Apple Music subscriber, want a hub to control your HomeKit devices, and want a great-sounding small speaker, then you'll be happiest with the HomePod mini . 

If you are a regular Amazon customer, subscribe to multiple services that you want to control with your voice, want more robust voice control, or shopping on a budget, then the Echo Dot is for you. Just keep in mind that you are not going to get stellar audio performance out of it, but you will get a more versatile speaker. 

Whichever speaker you choose, you are getting a relatively inexpensive way to enjoy your music and control your smart home devices. 

While both options are some of the best smart speakers available, choosing between the HomePod mini and Nest Mini ultimately comes down to the devices in your home and price. If you are all-in with Apple, the HomePod mini's seamless integration and superior sound make picking it over the Nest Mini a no-brainer.

On the other hand, if price is a concern, or if your home includes Android phones, Spotify users, or smart home accessories that don't work with HomeKit, the Nest Mini is the better pick.

HomePod mini vs. Nest Mini: The breakdown

With the HomePod mini and the Nest Mini essentially being slimmed-down versions of more prominent smart home speakers, they both perform the same tasks. Whether answering general knowledge queries, assisting with smart home controls, or playing music on-demand, these smart speakers deliver hands-free convenience in a compact form factor.

However, while core use cases are similar, they go about them in drastically different ways. Interactions with the two speakers rely heavily on whether you are on team iPhone or Android, so you need to consider your mobile phone when deciding on the best for your home's needs. Here's the full-spec breakdown between the two.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of differences between the two speakers — so let's begin with the similarities. Both speakers are incredibly compact compared to their larger siblings and sport a transparent mesh fabric cover that allows them to fit right into most decor. Each speaker also includes a far-field microphone array enabling them to pick up the sound of your voice from across the room and offer on-device touch controls.

The HomePod mini and Nest Mini speakers are entirely wire-free. They utilize Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and do not feature any Ethernet or audio input/output jacks. Finally, each speaker also works in Stereo Pairs and supports Multi-room audio; however, the implementation varies between the two. With the similarities out of the way, let's move on to the key differences.

HomePod mini vs. Nest Mini: Design

Despite both speakers being available in standard finishes like black and white, Google's Nest Mini one-ups the HomePod mini with two additional color options. The Nest Mini's extra colors: sky and coral, add a touch of personality and fun with a subtle shade of blue and a deep pink that look great in the home and make for an excellent option for kids' rooms.

On-device control options also vary between the two. At the top of the HomePod mini rests a larger, more familiar, capacitive touch surface complete with dedicated playback buttons. The touch surface on top of the HomePod mini also lights up with various colors during music playback or when responding to requests. Google's speaker also has capacitive controls and LED indicators. Still, they lack clear labels, are considerably smaller, and don't have the dynamic-like playback effect that you get with HomePod mini.

Another design difference to consider is how each speaker fits into your specific space. The Nest Mini includes a slot on its base that allows for wall mounting right out of the box. It may not seem like much, but mounting a smart speaker on the wall is incredibly handy for areas where counter space is at a premium or in wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens.

Now, there are accessories for HomePod mini and several third-party options that can help get Apple's speaker up and out of the way. Still, they only add to the considerably more expensive cost of admission. Along the same lines, the HomePod mini is also around two inches taller than the Nest Mini. The additional height on the HomePod mini makes it stand out more.

HomePod mini vs. Nest Mini: Smart home integration

Another convenience that smart speakers like the HomePod mini and Nest Mini offer is controlling your smart home accessories. Using just your voice, your can start your next movie night off right by dimming your smart lights, closing your blinds, and setting your TV to the correct input automatically.

However, with "smart" things being a free-for-all with no cohesion between vendors, picking your next smart speaker may depend on your accessories. Suppose your smart home revolves around HomeKit specific accessories; the HomePod mini is the only smart speaker that can give you hands-free voice controls through Siri.

The HomePod mini also plays a critical role within the smart home by acting as a HomeKit hub. HomeKit hubs enable out-of-home remote controls, automation, scenes, and advanced features like HomeKit Secure Video. Thread networking technology in the HomePod mini allows the smart speaker to act as a Border Router for accessories that rely on the hot new IP-based protocol.

Unlike HomeKit, compatibility with the Google Assistant — which the Nest Mini relies on, is almost universal. There are thousands of devices that support Google's platform, so there's a good chance that your existing accessories or those cheap smart plugs on Amazon will work with it. The Nest Mini even acts as a smart hub for select accessories like the C By GE line, so you won't need to worry about plugging another hub into your Wi-Fi router.

HomePod mini vs. Nest Mini: Audio and services

What really sets the HomePod mini and the Nest Mini apart is audio quality and services. While the Nest Mini and other compact speakers have gotten considerably better over the years, they all pale compared to the HomePod mini.

Inside the HomePod mini are a set of dual passive radiators and a single full-range driver that pumps out incredible sound for its size. HomePod mini's vocals are crisp and clean, and it packs in enough bass to easily best most dedicated Bluetooth speakers in its price range.

The Nest Mini — and its single 40-mm driver simply doesn't match up to the power of the HomePod mini. Bass, in particular, is a sore spot for the Nest Mini; it lacks at higher volumes, which can make the tunes sound a little lifeless.

Vocals are on par with the HomePod mini as they come through loud and clear, and as a whole, the Nest Mini is undoubtedly better than older smart assistants like the first-generation Echo Dot. Make no mistake about it though, neither speaker will replace your existing home theater setup, but they are more than capable of supplying good enough sound for rooms where larger speakers aren't a good fit.

Of course, audio quality goes out the window if you cannot play your music library or stream the latest releases via your service of choice. This is where the Nest Mini shines. Google's speaker runs circles around the HomePod mini by offering compatibility with tons of music services like Google Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, YouTube Music, Deezer, and even Apple Music.

The Nest Mini also supports streaming or casting music directly from your phone through Bluetooth and Chromecast capabilities. Through Chromecast, you can use the Nest Mini alongside other compatible speakers and devices, creating a multi-room audio experience or speaker groups. Bluetooth support enables effortless streaming directly from iOS and Android phones, which is great when guests or family members want to share their faves without going through a whole setup process.

Apple's HomePod mini is extremely limited when it comes to apps and services. The HomePod mini only supports a handful of services and stations currently — Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn being the most notable. The HomePod mini also doesn't support direct music playback over Bluetooth, so sharing your speaker with others isn't as seamless as the Nest Mini.

The HomePod mini does make up for some of its limitations, though, through AirPlay 2. AirPlay 2 allows beaming content from your iOS devices or Mac wirelessly so you can play your Spotify playlists and more — but it does take away the convenience of voice controls. AirPlay 2 also allows you to create a Stereo Pair using two HomePod mini's to enhance the listening experience, as well as Multi-Room audio, so you can traverse your home without missing a beat.

HomePod mini vs. Nest Mini: Which should you buy?

When it is all said and done, picking your next smart speaker depends heavily on your phone preferences. If you are all about that Apple life and your home is filled with iPhones, Macs, Apple TVs, and HomeKit accessories, then the HomePod mini is the best fit. The HomePod offers seamless integration with all of your devices and delivers room-filling sound that bests most Bluetooth speakers.

However, if you aren't particularly tied to the Apple ecosystem or have others in your home that rely on services like Spotify, the Nest Mini is the better option. While not as impressive as the HomePod in the audio department, the Nest Mini is good enough for smaller spaces, and its incredibly affordable price allows you to put one in every room of your home without breaking the bank.

What you need to know

• The smart speaker market could grow by more than 20% by 2025.
• That's according to new research from Counterpoint.
• The market is being buoyed by a focus on affordability and devices like the HomePod mini.

A focus on affordability and speakers like the HomePod Mini could see the smart speaker market grow by 20% by 2025.

According to Counterpoint Research:

Counterpoint says the main drivers of this will be the proliferation of smart home products like smart TVs and home automation products like smart lights, lock, cameras, and kitchen appliances, many of which thrive when controlled by a smart speaker that serves as a hub.

Other factors include the development of better AI and machine learning, and the entry of "internet giants" such as Google, Amazon, and of course, Apple. Another major factor is a focus on affordability, and Counterpoint notes that Apple has dropped its large HomePod in favor of the smaller and cheaper HomePod mini, one of the best smart speakers available.

The growth of smart speakers with displays is also expected to be a factor, which is interesting because it is rumored that Apple is working on a HomePod with a display.

What you need to know

• Apple's HomePod mini is now available to buy in New Zealand for the first time.
• It's available in White and Space Gray for NZ$159.

Apple's diminuitive HomePod mini is now available in New Zealand for the first time. Locals can pick the miniature smart speaker up for NZ$159 in both White and Space Gray colors.

Apple announced HomePod mini for the United States and select other countries back in October 2020 and it's proven popular ever since. The small size, relatively small price, and big sound make this a great little smart speaker – and pairing two in a stereo pair really does turn things up a notch.

Apple described HomePod mini's S5 chip and how it makes for great sound back in 2020.

Those in the United States have been able to buy HomePod mini for almost a year now and there are some HomePod deals to be had if you know where to look, too. I'm a big fan of the two HomePod minis I have on my desk and I've no doubt everyone in New Zealand will love them when they get their hands on them as well.

What you need to know

• You can now buy the HomePod mini smart speaker in more countries.
• Ireland, Austria, and New Zealand can now get their hands on Apple's mini HomePod.

Apple has today made the popular HomePod mini available to buyers in more countries, with the speaker now offered in Ireland, Austria, and New Zealand.

The speaker is available in both White and Space Gray offerings, as you might expect. It's the same HomePod mini speaker that many of us have been enjoying for some time now, but it's the first time music fans in Ireland, Austria, and New Zealand have been able to enjoy the diminutive speaker.

The small HomePod mini is now the only HomePod available to buy, following Apple's decision earlier this year to cancel the larger offering. It took three months, but HomePod is now completely out of stock at apple.com.

Still on the lookout for a bargain HomePod mini in the United States? These are some of the best HomePod mini deals we've been able to find. Can I suggest using some of the money saved on a single HomePod mini to buy a second? You'd be surprised how great these things sound in a stereo pair!

Apple's new HomePod mini is built for those in the Apple ecosystem. It features Siri control, Homekit support, and really great sound for such a small speaker. However, the name is HomePod; so, it's meant to be used at home, tethered to a power outlet.

Unfortunately, the HomePod mini does not contain a built-in battery, so it can't accompany you to a day at the pool, park, or pretty much anywhere without a plug. While this speaker has a lot to offer, it doesn't have the portability you might need. If you don't need a speaker to use outside of the house and want Siri and Homekit control, the HomePod mini is for you.

When it comes to portability, Apple fans will have to look elsewhere for a speaker. There are options available, but they can get a little pricey. The Ultimate Ears MEGABLAST is an example of an Alexa-powered smart speaker that is battery powered, works on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and is waterproof as a bonus. So, while you may be paying a little extra, you'll get to listen to your favorite tunes anywhere without worrying about a little rain or splash-back.

Of course, when you connect this speaker to an iPhone via Bluetooth, you can use your iPhone's Siri control. This speaker is versatile and portable, perfect to power those tunes.

If you've been waiting for a HomePod mini deal before pulling the trigger on the new Apple smart speaker, you've probably been frustrated by the lack of price cuts since its release last fall. However, your patience has been rewarded today as the diminutive device is seeing a rare discount for Earth Day at Verizon.

Over there, you can snag the HomePod mini in white or space gray for just $89 when you enter promo code EARTHDAY during checkout. That code takes $10 off its regular price and the device is also eligible for free 2-day shipping. You don't have to be a Verizon Wireless customer to shop the deal, either.

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This sale includes iPhone models, the Apple Watch, iMac and iPad devices, Beats headphones, Apple services, and more. The deals vary by product, so be sure to check them all out now.

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Updated in late 2020, the Mac Mini has Apple's M1 chip that combines CPU, GPU, and machine learning for faster performance, better graphics, and an all around streamlined device. This version has 8GB RAM and a 256GB solid state drive.

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Apple Watch Series 6 models are available for some of their best prices ever right now. The lowest price is on the red 40mm version which is $70 off with 44mm and cellular models seeing discounts of up to $91.

Since the original HomePod came out way back in 2018, rumors have been flying about a smaller (and cheaper) version. The larger model was overkill for many people in terms of volume and audiophile-level sound quality, plus the price put it out of reach for those simply looking for an affordable speaker for streaming music and throwing the odd smart home command at.

Despite being just over 3 inches tall, the HomePod mini is still a great speaker with a balanced and surprisingly loud sound, but its smaller form and cheaper price make it easier to justify picking up a few for different spaces around your home.

In terms of setup, it's just as easy to get your HomePod mini up and running as it is the original HomePod — just hold your iPhone close by and follow the on-screen prompts. HomePod mini can be used as a smart home hub for HomeKit-enabled devices and also supports Thread technology making it the best smart speaker choice for budding HomeKit enthusiasts.

On top of smart home stuff, you can ask Siri to set timers, check the weather, play music, ask for information, set reminders, and even access your messages or initiate phone calls. With multiple HomePod devices around your home, you'll be able to get multi-room audio going easily or add two to the same room for stereo sound.

What you need to know

• HomePod mini will launch in three more countries in June.
• The speaker is coming to Austria, New Zealand, and Ireland.

HomePod mini is even getting in on the news cycle today.

Spotted by MacRumors, Apple has revealed that the HomePod mini, the company's tiny smart speaker, will be launching in more countries in June. The speaker will be launching in Austria, New Zealand, and Ireland.

The HomePod mini will cost €99 in Austria and Ireland and $159 in New Zealand.

This brings the HomePod mini to a total of 13 countries. It is still expected to also launch in China, Mexico, and Taiwan later this year.

HomePod mini brings most of the features of the original HomePod into a smaller, more adorable form factor that people have loved, including iMore's Stephen Warwick, who had great things to say in his review:

The HomePod mini is Apple's only smart speaker now. The company announced that it would be discontinuing the original full-sized HomePod earlier this year.

What you need to know

• HomePod mini has a temperature and humidity sensor.
• The sensor isn't active for users right now.
• Could become active with a software update.

When it comes to the best smart speakers Apple's HomePod mini has lagged behind Amazon's Echo and Google's Nest in terms of smart features; however, this could all change with a software update.

According to Bloomberg, iFixit did a teardown of a HomePod mini and found a temperature and humidity sensor inside. The sensor could be used to communicate data with smart thermostats around your house, which would greatly bolster the smart-capabilities of the HomePod mini.

As of right now, HomePod mini owners can adjust thermostats through Siri if they happen to have a HomeKit compatible thermostat connected to their Home app. This sensor could make it possible to adjust the climate in your home based on the temperature and humidity in the room where your HomePod mini resides. This means, if you had multiple HomePod minis in various rooms, you could control the climate based on each room.

The sensor could be enabled via a software update, but as of yet, we haven't seen any evidence that this is a feature Apple will roll out soon. No features that use the newly-found sensor in the HomePod mini are in any of the developer's or public betas of any of Apple's software. Still, it only takes one update and that could all change, so it's certainly something we intend to keep an eye on.