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Gurman: Apple Considering Updated HomePod Mini Alongside New High-End HomePod

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Apple is reportedly considering an update to the HomePod mini as it plans a larger push into the Home devices market, which includes releasing an updated version of the full-sized HomePod in the early months of 2023, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

HomePodandMini-feature-orange.jpg

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reports that Apple is considering updating the HomePod mini, which was announced in October 2020. Gurman doesn't shed any details on what a possible update could include but states it's unlikely to be anything "super-impressive."

As has been previously reported, Apple is planning to resurrect the original full-sized HomePod after discontinuing it in March 2021. The updated version of the HomePod is rumored to feature an updated S8 processor and possibly a new multi-touch display on top.

Gurman says the new full-sized HomePod is on track for a launch in early 2023, lining up with a timeline set forth by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Other than an updated HomePod mini and a new full-sized HomePod, Gurman has previously reported that Apple is working on several new products for the Home. The most ambitious project under development is reportedly a HomePod product that combines a speaker, Apple TV functions, and a FaceTime camera into one device.

Additionally, Apple is working on a device focused on use in the kitchen that combines an iPad and a speaker connected to a robotic arm. Gurman expects at least one of these two Home products to launch towards the end of 2023 or in early 2024.

Article Link: Gurman: Apple Considering Updated HomePod Mini Alongside New High-End HomePod
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/08/07/new-homepod-mini-and-high-end-homepod/
I’d so much love to try out the HomePod, but you can’t get me to use Apple Music. As long as there is no real way of using other streaming services (in my case Amazon Music), I won’t give the HomePod a chance.

This is something that has been teased for a year now. Come on!
 
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VSG said:
I’d so much love to try out the HomePod, but you can’t get me to use Apple Music. As long as there is no real way of using other streaming services (in my case Amazon Music), I won’t give the HomePod a chance.

This is something that has been teased for a year now. Come on!
Click to expand...
Apple has provided the API to do so, it’s now up to third party services like Spotify and Amazon Music to decide to integrate it or not. Only minor music services did it so far unfortunately
 
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I know that rushing a product to market kinda sucks (ask me about my Studio Display!), but it’s pretty surprising that they aren’t trying to get these out for Christmas.

btw I’ve been wondering about the rumors that it would use the Apple Watch chip instead of an A-series, and maybe I’m late to the party but I think I figured it out: HomePod doesn’t need a GPU.
 
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A new display which matches the color of the mesh would be nice. I find the current color offering to be quite jarring against the brilliant white. Nope, all space grey here (which is very elegant, by the way) until the displays are offered in blue, orange, and yellow!
 
Eric_WVGG said:
I know that rushing a product to market kinda sucks (ask me about my Studio Display!), but it’s pretty surprising that they aren’t trying to get these out for Christmas.

btw I’ve been wondering about the rumors that it would use the Apple Watch chip instead of an A-series, and maybe I’m late to the party but I think I figured it out: HomePod doesn’t need a GPU.
Click to expand...
Indeed, and the HomePod Mini is already running an S series chip, so unifying the lineup makes sense. What doesn’t make as much sense to me is that they moved the HomePod OS kernel to use tvOS but all tvOS devices utilize A series chips. But to your point, GPU is unnecessary (currently) while low energy of the S series is useful. Hopefully HomePod does evolve to need some GPU though cause that would mean it has a screen.

I think there’s also another potential route Apple could take a HomePod product and that’s an iPad dock. Imagine a product that uses the smart connector and magnet system from the iPad Pro/Air but when you dock, it swaps the UI to a more tvOS or homeOS mode, like how CarPlay works on iOS. Then, boom, you have both a HomePod with a screen and, depending on the design, one that could follow you robotically. HomePad (okay I’m leaving now 🥲)
 
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No new audio device release makes sense if the new lossless streaming function is not announced at the same time.
It would be pretty bad to release a new generation of products (refreshes to the Airpods Pro and Max are rumoured too) without the technology for better quality streaming.

Given the obvious limitations of bluetooth on iOS, it would be pretty bad to invest in it for an other generation.

I'm saying this because Apple doesn't support anything beyond AAC and they have to think of something if they don't want to be left behind.
 
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dwaltwhit said:
Homepod was just too expensive. I’m a buyer at $150, but I just can’t do $300 or even $200
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It always depends on what it does and how it does it !

HomePod is a device based on two things : great sound, and Siri.
It truly has great sound, nobody will convince me of the opposite. Sound is actually one of the things that distinguishes Apple from its competitors, in virtually every product category.
But Siri is more like an annoyance and a frustration to users. Its connection with HomeKit is unstable, and globally I think it's fair to say that it can accomplish less than other voice assistants and has less developer APIs.

So with the way things are currently, I don't think Apple can put a "speaker" with a "virtual assistant" on the market, and but a hefty price tag on it. They need to either fix Siri heavily (and maybe HomeKit but it's supposed to be addressed this fall), or add features (like include an Apple TV, or a camera, or an insanely fast processor, etc.).
 
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thosmatthews said:
Fix Siri
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Last night I’m yelling at my Homepod to turn off the lights without specifying which room, obviously the one it hears me in.

I see the light on top come on to indicate that it heard me then immediately go off.

Then I realize my damn iPhone heard it, and Siri decided to ignore the Homepod and listen to the phone, which is asking me which room I mean.

It’s basic dumb stuff like this Alexa launched with and Apple still doesn’t seem to understand.
 
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