Apple’s latest little smart speaker is now available to buy in person. The HomePod mini 2 reached store shelves on Friday, giving customers their first chance to pick it up since the announcement a few weeks ago.
The new model builds on the success of the original HomePod mini, which became a popular option for people who wanted Apple’s smart-speaker experience without paying for the full-size HomePod. The sequel brings a new generation of hardware while retaining the compact design that made the original so appealing.
HomePod mini 2 pumps up the jam
The HomePod mini 2 uses Apple’s S10 chip to power advanced computational audio that analyzes music in real time, adjusting dynamic range, loudness and acoustic performance to make the most of its compact speaker design. It retains the original’s full-range driver and dual force-cancelling passive radiators, which produce 360-degree sound with surprisingly strong bass for a speaker this small.
A fun addition is Sound Glow, which makes the illuminated top surface pulse in sync with the music, using colors inspired by the artwork of the currently playing album. (The original version can do this, too!)
The HomePod mini 2 can be set as a Mac’s default audio output, making it useful for everything from music to FaceTime calls. It also supports a new four-speaker surround sound configuration when paired with Apple’s fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, creating a more immersive home theater experience.
Siri AI is coming, but not quite yet
One of the biggest selling points of HomePod mini 2 is support for Apple’s revamped Siri AI assistant. However, buyers won’t get that feature immediately. Apple says Siri AI will arrive in a future software update at no additional charge.
The new assistant promises more natural conversations, better understanding of personal context and improved ability to handle requests involving information from other apps. But note that some capabilities will require an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone or iPad.
Buy HomePod mini 2 today
Photo: Apple
Apple opened preorders on October 13, the day it announced the new speaker. Anyone who put in an order then gets the product today.
The HomePod mini 2 costs $149, a $20 increase over the previous model’s most recent price. Buyers can choose from five finishes: pink, green, blue, white and midnight.
It’s available now in Apple Stores as well as other brick-and-mortar retailers.
HomePod mini 2 delivers surprisingly big, 360-degree sound in a compact design. Siri AI brings personal, powerful assistance—managing tasks and controlling your smart home hands-free, privately, and securely. Add more HomePod speakers for multiroom audio and Intercom. Pair two speakers for stereo sound or four speakers with Apple TV 4K for surround sound.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 26 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
