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Apple's Next Rumored Products: New HomePod Mini, Apple TV, and More
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Since moving onto (home)iOS26 - They are as slow as molasses. And I know it to be the HomePods (I have six of them) because the same interaction with my iPhone, to control my lights for example, is instant. Whereas, HomePod mini and HomePod OG take several seconds. Annoying as hell!
It would sort of defy logic not to release a new Apple TV and HomePod Mini 2 before the holidays, if the rumors are correct and they're actually in the works. But this is a company upgrading the Vision Pro, which is an item the majority of people don't want (or can afford).
They are updating the AVP, AppleTV, and HomePod mini, not because of new features but because they are using 5nm chips. 5nm chip production is winding down in the next 12 months. So only 3nm chips are available going forward.
The one thing we can guarantee is that the next HomePod and appletv will switch to a 3nm chip.
My assumption is that the Mac Pro and larger HomePod are such small volume movers, they are not worried about moving them just yet.
I’ll admit that I bought into the week long of releases. Especially with reports of lower stock at stores.
Since that’s not happening this week, I look at other trends Apple has done in the past. If memory serves me correctly, Apple has done early month and late month press releases.
But with this week being mid month, I get the vibe we might be done for October.
I’m leaning more towards a early November release as the next window. Mid November is a possibility but small as it starts to get into holiday schedule and most companies like to lock their product lines down during the lucrative holiday season.
I’m not 100% clear on what 5nm ramp down schedule is. People talk about the new devices supporting next gen Siri. But I think Apple releasing more products with promised features would turn out dangerous for them (see iPhone 16 pro release and the lawsuits).
At the same time, Apple cannot retain AI talent. So I’m not sure they even have a solid Siri release window/timeframe internally.
I guess what I am trying to say is that while I hope the new ATV and HPM have new features, (such as AV1 decoding for near 4k Blu-ray streaming quality), I doubt they will. This is likely just a chip refresh due to manufacturing changes. I expect to see the devices this year. But there is always a chance that Apple holds the devices if they feel they can get Siri AI out the door in the first 3-4 months of CY 2026.
Depends on what you use it for
My use is 99%, in order:
* setting timers
* turning on and off my lights
* adding things to the shared shopping list with my wife
* setting reminders
* asking the weather
* playing some music in the kitchen (the one in my living room doesnt get used for that, I have a 5.2 system and atv there)
* “how do you spell $WORD”
* occasionally asking Siri to tell me a joke
It handles all that just fine most of the time, which is about what I want out of smart speaker. I think it needs a bit better connectivity and it feels like the word recognition has actually regressed recently, but those are really the only major problems.
Oh, and one other BIG thing I should mention:
The fire alarm recognition and notification saved my home and my dog this summer
I bought the original home pod and while it's a nice speaker for the Apple TV, it was the one product I regret purchasing. However, I really don't know much about home/speaker set ups and I do have an Apple TV so if I did buy a new speaker it probably would have to be a Home Pod. Of course I do have an Android phone so maybe I'm more flexible than I realize.
I would love a new Apple TV though. I have the second generation 4K and it still works, but it might be time to upgrade anyway.
I would love a new Apple TV though. I have the second generation 4K and it still works, but it might be time to upgrade anyway.
I shifted to HPM's several years ago from Echo's. The shift was prompted by the transition from Prime Music to Apple Music. I found the sound on Echo's to be great, but integration with Apple Music sucked. I believe for music, the HPM shines for whole home audio, not rocking out or feeling the music. I have three: one in my bedroom, dining room, and kiddos room. I also have a Sonos One in the livingroom. The Sonos One far out performs the HPMs delivering more bass and immersive experience.
When I have a BBQ or company in the back yard, it's the Sonos One I take outside for music. The sound is fuller and more directional so from a distance we still get good sound. The HPM is shooting sound in every direction so outside so the sound diminishes fast and without being in a corner or against the wall, the bass is non-existent.
I much prefer the interface of the HPM when it comes to music. As a standalone, it's much better. My plan is to replace the Sonos One with a HP. My hope is a HP will provide the bass and the HPMs will provide sound all around.
Aside from music, I find Siri only usefull for simple tasks like timers, alarms, (some) automation commands, and indoor temp. I'm sure there is more but more often than not, when I ask, I get: "I can send to your phone..." This is a net-negative in my book. I have an Echo Show in my kitchen and find that much more useful for how I like to operate. Alexa answers more questions directly and it has the benefit of also displaying the answer in most cases. This is really handy in the kitchen. It also provides notifications of my amazon deliveries and can display the feed (and notifications) from my Ring doorbell and cameras.
I'm clearly entrenched in the Apple ecosystem but I would say, the HPM is one I could easily let go. In fact, if Verizon didn't provide me with free Apple Music, I would be using YT Music and the HPMs would eventually be replaced with whatever integrates better with it.
grrr, that sucks because I have a late 2017 iMac that needs to be replaced, and I am trying my best to wait for the next version.There had been vague rumors of next iMacs getting a 90 hz display and a new mouse (more ergonomic), but it seems that Apple are not in a hurry to offer us new iMacs. In the Apple Store, the iMac is not well exposé. What a pity ! I wish also them to bring back target mode… Or make a 24’ display with the same design and Colors
Sadly current Mesh technology (or 802.11) cannot do this. Mesh requires a mesh controller to control and manage the finer points of each mesh access point. Mixing and matching vendors isn’t a possibility, as there is no agreed upon standard for mesh node management.