HomePod mini

Background

The HomePod mini is spherical, smaller, and less expensive than Apple's similar HomePod. At its unveiling on October 13, 2020, Apple also announced new software for HomePod and HomePod mini that: improves Continuity and Handoff integration; enables Siri to recognize up to six people's voices and personalizing responses to each one; and adds the Intercom feature — also available on iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches — enabling users with more than one HomePod to communicate with each other in different rooms. HomePod mini supports the Thread network protocol, supported by the Connected Home over IP working group. Apple began to take orders for the $99 U.S. HomePod mini on November 6, 2020, and began shipping it 10 days later. HomePod mini has a full-range driver and dual passive radiators, a custom acoustic waveguide for a 360º sound field, and computational audio for real-time tuning. It has four microphones to listen for Siri commands. Its wireless capabilities include 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, and an Ultra-wideband chip for device proximity. On October 18, 2021, Apple announced that the existing space gray and white options would be joined by blue, orange, and yellow versions. The new colors have a tinted touch display that is a lighter hue of the body color, and the braided cable is also colored accordingly. On July 15, 2024, Apple discontinued the existing space grey option in favor of a midnight color option.