Apple's HomePod Mini 2 Might Not Get This Rumored Feature After All

[MacRumors]

The next-generation HomePod mini won't include Apple's new N1 networking chip, according to code analysis provided by a MacRumors tipster.

A macOS kernel debug kit distributed by Apple earlier this year included information on a number of upcoming devices, including the HomePod mini 2. Code associated with the HomePod mini 2 mentions the "Sunrise" wireless system, which is what Apple calls Bluetooth/Wi-Fi chips sourced from MediaTek. The N1 is called "Centauri" in Apple's internal systems.

Based on the Sunrise mention, it appears that the HomePod mini 2 won't be upgraded with the N1 networking chip, which contradicts some prior rumors we've heard about it. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that both the Apple TV and HomePod mini will use Apple's N1 chip in the past.

It appears that Apple plans to use the N1 chip for premium devices, while entry-level products will stick with cheaper MediaTek hardware for now. The upcoming HomePod mini 2, the iPhone 17e, the iPad 12, and the A18 Pro MacBook are all expected to use MediaTek chips instead of Apple's chip.

The N1 was introduced in the iPhone 17 models, and it is Apple's first in-house networking chip. It supports Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 7, and Thread. Because it was designed by Apple, it better integrates with other hardware and software in Apple devices, leading to improved efficiency and reliability.

Article Link: Apple's HomePod Mini 2 Might Not Get This Rumored Feature After All

 

[abatabia]

I’m already pre-disappointed.

 

[Anonymous123]

This is the first I’ve heard of Apple products using MediaTek chips—I thought all non-N1 chips were from Broadcom.

 

[vadimyuryev]

this would be an oof

 

[Rychiar]

not unexpected from the penny pinchers at apple. with our luck it will work as poorly as the first gen too😫

 

[211]

If this is the case, what is the point of this update? Apple could have released an "updated" HomePod mini ages ago then

 

[dotnet]

Apple's HomePod Mini 2 Might Not Get This Rumored Feature After All​

The headline has it backwards. It should read "The Rumour About Feature XYZ Was False."

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested

 

[Lioness~]

What a great relief - not that I had any intention to buy any more of those anyway.
The lack of sound quality in them is certainly not for me, and I don’t need them to other things.

 

[Porco]

The N1 is called "Centauri" in Apple's internal systems.

I’m now imagining Londo Mollari riding a beautiful yellow Naboo Starfighter, and honestly that makes me much happier than the prospect of this Homepod device, regardless of which network chip it uses.

“Meester Garibaldi!”

 

[boswald]

As long as it works, I don’t care. 🤷‍♂️

 

[JPack]

This is the first I’ve heard of Apple products using MediaTek chips—I thought all non-N1 chips were from Broadcom.

Watch SE3, 11, Ultra 3 all use MediaTek baseband instead of Qualcomm. It's one of those spite decisions from Apple.

 

[Naraxus]

So it looks like once again Mark Gurman is wrong....

 

[tagsaid]

I mean, isn't every roomer exactly that, a roomer? It may not get it after all.. yea every rumor may not come true :-D

 

[svendobbelaere]

I just wish the homepods had ethernet. All the household ‘fixed’ devices (apple tv, panasonic tv, sonos speakers, desktops, printers, NAS etc.) have an ethernet connection, to cut down the wifi usage. Heck, I use an usb-c ethernet adapter on my iPad, and my youngest son has ethernet on his gaming laptop.

I’d even (begrudgingly) pay like 10 euros extra for the choice, like you can with the Apple TV. Don’t need ethernet, get the cheap one. Need ethernet get the higher level model.

 

[victorvictoria]

I'd rather have an ethernet port on it than an N1 chip anyway. Oh, well, there's always tomorrow.

 

[schlitzz]

I’m already pre-disappointed.

I thought you were having another premature exasperation event.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

That probably means they're planning on using the N1 chips for other devices, meaning they are probably performing better than expected. Good for the Apple N1 team, bad for anyone wanting a homepod mini that's actually usable on a less than perfect wifi network.

 

[the_little_apple]

I feel like hearing about what is coming or not coming is like waiting 3+ years for your favourite TV shows new season. Starting to get bored and losing interested. You had me ready to buy 5 and every 6 months of waiting to a possible release I'm starting to not care.

 

[siddavis]

If this is the case, what is the point of this update? Apple could have released an "updated" HomePod mini ages ago then

New colors and cost control. They don't give two sh!ts about this product.

 

[Kidseeghost]

HP mini 2 needs to have the new Siri. Everything else doesn’t matter if this feature is missing. If it doesn’t have it its DOA.

 

[victorvictoria]

I just wish the homepods had ethernet. All the household ‘fixed’ devices (apple tv, panasonic tv, sonos speakers, desktops, printers, NAS etc.) have an ethernet connection, to cut down the wifi usage. Heck, I use an usb-c ethernet adapter on my iPad, and my youngest son has ethernet on his gaming laptop.

I’d even (begrudgingly) pay like 10 euros extra for the choice, like you can with the Apple TV. Don’t need ethernet, get the cheap one. Need ethernet get the higher level model.

I'm with you on this one. I use an Apple TV 4K for that very reason. I have it wired into my main gateway, and device control if flawless and dependable. But for people who don't have an Apple TV, a useful tip to increase reliability is to assign a reserved IP to your devices instead of using DHCP. Much more dependable.

 

[mac-hummer]

Early Bad Reviews. They sound like garbage, even though I haven't tested 'em yet

 

[seek3r]

I’m now imagining Londo Mollari riding a beautiful yellow Naboo Starfighter, and honestly that makes me much happier than the prospect of this Homepod device, regardless of which network chip it uses.

“Meester Garibaldi!”

If you piss Siri off she now hacks your bank account and buys 200,000 shares of a Spoo Ranch

 

[whitby]

And why do we care what chip is used, so long as the product delivers on the product specifications? I fail to understand why this makes any difference whatsoever.

The HomePod Mini is a low end, low cost speaker and microphone you can use to access the Apple ecosystem via Siri. Nothing else. It sounds terrible and Siri has some significant shortcomings if you want a responsive audio Ai interface. The HomePod Mini needs to sound better and Siri needs to improve (if that is your thing) not improve its network connections. I am not even sure why this is being reported to be honest. Does the lack of the so called N1 chip affect any of these things. Come on MacRumors lets find something else to fill the web page.

 

[dumastudetto]

Apple's design philosophy: A thousand no's for every yes.
Gurman's reporting philosophy: A thousand guesses for every yes.