Before revealing the new iPhone 12 models, Apple gave us a presentation of HomePod mini. The second speaker intelligence launched by the American company, record sales are expected, especially since the price is quite affordable for Apple fans. I repeat. Accessible for Apple fans 😊 $99 at launch, and on the European market the final price it will reach somewhere around 130 – 160 EUR.
What is HomePod mini and what are the differences compared to HomePod
Many expected Apple to come up with new models of smart speakers quite quickly after the launch of the HomePod in February 2018. This did not happen, until the fall of 2020. At a distance of 2 and a half years, Apple launched the HomePod mini. A speaker of much smaller dimensions, which we can say at first sight looks a lot like a portable speaker. Unfortunately HomePod mini it can only be powered from the socket, as it is not equipped with an accumulator / battery.
Although it is a small speaker and the audio performance is much lower than HomePod, its features cannot be ignored.
HomePod mini Vs. HomePod
HomePod mini dimensions, weight and prices
A leaf and a bite are missing, because otherwise the HomePod mini has the dimensions of a decent-sized apple.
Height of 84.3 mm and width / diameter of 97.9 mm (on the middle line of the sphere) and 345 grams weight. If you don't have a HomePod next to you to get an idea of the size difference, I'll tell you that an iPhone XS has a height of 150.9 mm. That is, it is 66.6 mm smaller than one iPhone X / XS.
HomePod (2018) has a tubular shape with height of 172 mm, width of 142 mm and 2.5 Kg weight.
The base price for the HomePod mini is $99, while a HomePod is listed by Apple at $299.
HomePod mini – Design
Impeccable. Spherical shape, well contoured, dressed in premium material with textile fabric. Unfortunately, the HomePod mini also comes in only two color variants. White and black.
An interesting feature is touch surface, which is full light when Siri listens, speaks or is touched.
It looks much better than HomePod 2018.
HomePod mini – Connectivity, Siri and Interactions
First of all, what Apple does not specify is that HomePod mini does not support any connection with its older sister, HomePod.
You can buy two HomePod minis and get one stereo sound in a room, but with HomePod and a HomePod mini you will never be able to do that. It would also be strange to listen to a stereo song on two speakers with totally different audio performances.
HomePod mini is not a speaker for everyone. If you don't have at least one Apple device to play music from or an Apple Music subscription (configured from iPhone, iPad or Mac), HomePod and HomePod mini are totally useless. These smart speakers have Bluetooth 5.0 but only recognize Apple devices. So, if you are a fan of Android or Windows PC, HomePod is not an option.
HomePod mini gets along perfectly with all Apple devices via the Home application. You must have an iPhone no older than iPhone SE (first generation), an iPad mini 4 (or newer model) or an iPod Touch (gen 7). A abonament Apple Music it will make the speaker almost autonomous. In the sense that you can ask Siri which song, album, playlist or radio station to play, without having your iPhone, iPad or MacBook at hand.
HomePod mini will be configured through the app Home from the iPhone to the same wireless network as it. A minus is the 802.11n Wi-Fi standard, compared to the 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO supported by HomePod (2018). It is still a sufficient standard for music, radio and Siri query.
Without an Apple Music subscription, you will be dependent on the music transferred and stored on your iPad, iPhone or MacBook and on the AirPlay connection. Of course, you can also connect it to Apple TV or directly to an Apple device via AirPlay. This way you will be able to play any sound from your iPhone. From YouTube clips, Facebook, online radio stations or phone calls.
Playing the sound from the iPhone on the HomePod mini can also be done by simply bringing it closer to the smart speaker. The sound will be instantly transferred from the iPhone to the HomePod mini, and soon Apple promises new interaction experiences when the two devices are close. Music and podcast suggestions on the iPhone lock screen and HomePod mini control. All with the iPhone locked, without having to open the Home or Music application.
The voice assistant Siri (mainly on Apple devices) is as intelligent as on any Apple device, and by HomeKit they can all be controlled smart home accessories. It is enough to say "Hey Siri, open lights", and Siri from HomePod mini it will activate immediately and turn on the light in the room. Also through voice commands you can send text messages, initiate calls, add reminders in Reminder, notes in Calendar and many, many others that Siri is capable of.
On the HomePod mini, Siri is able to recognize up to six voices of family members and act individually for each one.
There is no risk that a family member can ask Siri to read another member's text messages, calendar notes or reminders.
We will detail the Siri, Home and HomeKit experiences on HomePod and HomePod mini in a future article.
In a large house, several HomePod mini speakers can turn into a walkie-talkie or intercom. With the new Intercom feature, a family member can send voice messages to all rooms where a HomePod mini is located or to specific rooms, and family members can reply very easily.
The function Intercom is extended to other Apple devices. A voice message sent from HomePod mini through Intercom can also reach iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or AirPods.
The intercom will be very useful in houses with many rooms and a large family. Communication between family members in other rooms will be done by a simple voice command: "Hey Siri, intercom to all romms, it’s dinner time“.
HomePod mini – Sound, technology and microphones
As smart as the HomePod mini is, we almost forgot that we are talking about a speaker, which by definition means... sound.
Don't expect a sound comparable to HomePod or a professional audio system. However, Apple promises an unprecedented sound on a speaker of this size. 360º acoustic propagation ensures full and clear sound from any angle of the room, with a deep bass and clear highs.
The four microphones are able to ignore the noise in the room and easily capture voice commands, even if you are not in the vicinity of the HomePod mini.
HomePod mini will go on sale starting November 6, 2020 and is expected to be a product with very high sales.
