Apple has launched the HomePod mini 2, a second-generation version of its compact smart speaker priced at $149 and arriving on October 30.
The updated model runs on an S10 chip, gains a light-show feature called Sound Glow, and picks up Siri AI support that Apple says is coming in a future software update.
Sound Glow is the most visible change. The top surface of the speaker glows and animates in response to music, syncing its colors to album artwork and reacting to bass and treble in real time. Apple is pitching it as a “visual canvas” that produces a different effect for each song.
Four-Speaker Surround Sound
One of the more practical upgrades involves pairing multiple units together. Up to four HomePod mini 2 speakers can be linked with the newly announced Apple TV 4K to create a four-speaker surround sound arrangement.
The system is designed to detect the position of each speaker in the room and calibrate audio levels accordingly. The speaker can also serve as a wireless audio output for a Mac.
The surround sound capability does require the new Apple TV 4K, which Apple separately announced and priced at $299 for the 128GB model, a price point that has already drawn complaints from early commenters.
Siri AI Isn’t Ready Yet
Siri AI, one of the headline features, will not be available when the speaker ships. Apple says it will arrive via a software update at an unspecified later date.
When it does land, it will require an Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone or iPad to be paired with the HomePod mini 2.
The feature is designed to recognize up to six different voices and connect each user to their own personal data, including Messages.
That limitation will feel familiar to anyone who followed the rollout of Apple Intelligence on iPhone and iPad, where several advertised capabilities arrived months after the initial hardware launch.
Apple has faced legal scrutiny over delayed AI features, including a $250 million class action settlement over Siri AI’s slow rollout to earlier devices.
Smart Home Functions Carry Over
The HomePod mini 2 retains the home hub functionality of its predecessor, allowing it to control HomeKit-compatible smart home devices.
Sound Recognition is also included, letting the speaker listen for smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and push alerts to users when one is detected.
The speaker is available in five colors: pink, green, blue, white, and midnight. Pre-order details had not been published as of the announcement, but the October 30 ship date puts it in line with the new Apple TV 4K.
