HomePod Mini Cable is Non-Detachable, Ends With USB-C Connector for Use With Included 20W Power Adapter

[Unregistered 4U]

How does MagSafe make portless anymore possible than Qi?

MagSafe is higher power so it charges faster. Check the web archive for “PowerbyProxi” that Apple bought awhile back. A LOT of that doesn’t relate to anything Apple’s doing now, but the tech is owned by Apple, so if they want to, they can implement something.

I’m guessing that, if they plan to continue developing GarageBand for the iPhone, they’ll still need some high bandwidth way to get data in (so you can play an instrument with low delay). If you see GarageBand go iPad ONLY, that’s the first sign of a true wireless iPhone coming.

 

[HiRez]

Dumb decisions like this, a non detachable cable, is part of why are planet is drowning in waste. Instead of just replacing a frayed cable, you have to throw out the entire thing, it’s ridiculous. Would you get rid of a car when you can change the tires or battery? No.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

you have to throw out the entire thing,

Folks only throw out the entire thing if they have a DESIRE to. What ends up in landfills is the owner’s responsibility, not Apple’s. Get it back to Apple, and it’s recycled. There are also other companies that will deal with electronic waste for folks as well. However, that ONLY applies to those that are ecologically minded, though. Which, admittedly, isn’t a lot.

 

[danny842003]

Dumb decisions like this, a non detachable cable, is part of why are planet is drowning in waste. Instead of just replacing a frayed cable, you have to throw out the entire thing, it’s ridiculous. Would you get rid of a car when you can change the tires or battery? No.

Why is the cable going to get frayed?
It could even be that soldering a wire in to a static device is actually more environmentally friendly than having to make a port and then a connector to fit the port.

 

[2010mini]

I would be one of them since I have iPhone 6, 2011 MBP, and iPad mini 4. Worst time to take out the iPhone USB-C adapter since there are people that has iPhone 8 or older that waited for the iPhone mini.

every other device I have bought in recent history has usb c adapter. You don’t exactly need an Apple adapter

 

[colinwil]

I suspect that the reason they haven't made the cable detachable is the same as the reason they've included a 20W USB-C power adaptor.

It's to prevent people from trying to use any old, ropey USB-C to USB-A cable with some random old USB power adaptor that can only deliver 2.5W (500mA at 5v - the original USB spec)

If you think about it, that makes sense. It doesn't much matter if you plug your phone to charge into one of these - it'll still charge - just very, very slowly.

But these homepods are probably going to be drawing something like 7-10 Watts when playing loudly - perhaps a little more in peaks - so they're probably taking advantage of the USB-PD provided by the 20W power supply and possibly even operating in the 9V USB-PD range to keep everything cool & comfy. If someone plugged a Homepod into a 2.5W power supply it's not going to work very well!

I expect the 20W power supply that comes with these is the same as Apple are now offering for sale for use with iPhones & iPads. I guess its a little over-specced for the HomePod - but it makes sense to produce a single adaptor that works with everything.

 

[jdoyle]

Nice. Power adaptor is included.

We are so privileged that Apple included a power adapter with it.

I don’t get why this isn’t battery powered as well. Kind of a deal breaker for me. Primarily Id be listening to music on this. I have a UE Wonderboom II. It’s tiny, waterproof, battery lasts for days and it produces a great sound.Once it’s connected to my iPhone I can just do Siri commands via that. I know it’s not going for the same market but I just don’t find it as usable and handy as my wonderboom.

 

[jdoyle]

It's to prevent people from trying to use any old, ropey USB-C to USB-A cable with some random old USB power adaptor that can only deliver 2.5W (500mA at 5v - the original USB spec)

How ironic that this is precisely what Apple are telling us to do with your new iPhone 12!!!

 

[I7guy]

That’s not what I said. Apple is already making a huge profit on the iPhone. I’m ok with that, I own an iPhone and several macs after all.

What I have a problem with is apple claiming they’re removing the charger only for environmental reasons. I don’t buy that, and I don’t think they’re being honest. You may not like it, but it’s my opinion.

I agree. I think apple is no longer including the charger or headsets was to avoid raising prices. Apple kept prices flat from last year and this is the way they did that, imo, kill two birds with one stone. The new charger costs $19 not a whole lot.

 

[citysnaps]

Dumb decisions like this, a non detachable cable, is part of why are planet is drowning in waste. Instead of just replacing a frayed cable, you have to throw out the entire thing, it’s ridiculous. Would you get rid of a car when you can change the tires or battery? No.

Oh please... See post# 247.

 

[HiRez]

Oh please... See post# 247.

This is not an industrial shop cord, it’s a thin USB-C cord with a lot more wires in it, and a lot more delicate. Not only are there various ways cable can and do fail (dog/cat, kinked in drawer, curling iron, tension over time), cords can be defective, including Apple cords. I treat all my expensive gear well and I’m careful with cables, but I had to replace a MacBook Air cable 3 times over the life of the laptop (twice at Apple’s expense, once at mine) because it kept fraying on the end (it never got to breaking because I wouldn’t let it, but the exposed wire was completely hazardous). It’s not apparent you have a defective cord for usually a long time later.

How much can it cost Apple to just put a damn connector on the other end? They make these things by the millions. Additionally, a separate cord gives you more options for the type (braided?), color, and length of cable, if you don’t like the default.

 

[Mark Booth]

I picture a largish battery pack that is a base for the HomePod mini. Attached to the side of the battery pack (which becomes the top when the battery pack is laid on its side) there is pedestal. The HomePod mini sits atop the pedestal and the excess cable wraps around the pedestal (like wire around a spool) or stows inside the pedestal. Either way, the HomePod mini's USB-C cable plugs into the battery back and, voila, highly portable HomePod mini. Ready for use in spots there's not a convenient 120v outlet.

Mark

 

[ksec]

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

The HomePod Mini comes with a 20W USB-C Charger, the one that Apple current sell for $19 ?

 

[seanessey]

While not detailed in the tech specs, MacRumors can confirm that Apple's new HomePod mini features a non-detachable power cable that ends with a USB-C connector for use with the 20W power adapter included in the box.

With the switch to USB-C, the HomePod mini could potentially be powered by a wider range of devices and peripherals, ranging from MacBooks to USB-C battery packs with enough wattage, but this will ultimately depend on how much power the HomePod mini draws.

The standard HomePod also has a non-detachable power cable, but it terminates with a plug for direct connection to a wall outlet.

The standard HomePod's power cable ends with a plug (via iFixit)​

It's worth noting that soon after the original HomePod launched, it was discovered that the power cable can technically be removed if enough force is applied, so time will tell if this is possible with the HomePod mini too. In an internal document obtained by MacRumors in 2018, Apple warned that the HomePod's power cable should not be removed, noting that this could cause damage to the cable or internal components.

Introduced at Apple's event earlier this week, the HomePod mini has a more compact, spherical design, standing just 3.3 inches tall. However, despite being much smaller, Apple says the HomePod mini still delivers "amazing sound" using "computational audio," a feature that is powered by the same S5 chip as in the Apple Watch Series 5.

HomePod mini will be available in white and space gray for $99, with pre-orders set to begin Friday, November 6 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Article Link: HomePod Mini Cable is Non-Detachable, Ends With USB-C Connector for Use With Included 20W Power Adapter

How long is the power cable on the HomePod Mini?

 

[m2m2k]

Pretty darn annoying to have non-detachable cables. Maybe I like / need a longer cable in the living room, compared to the kitchen. Similar to the wireless chargers of the watch (and now the new iphones). Why can't the chargers not just have a lightning or even better usb-c port so I can use different cables (or re-use the ones I have already). That would be 'green'

 

[Craiguyver]

How long is the power cable on the HomePod Mini?

No one can say with certainty at this point. Apple has not provided clear pictures nor this spec.

 

[gnasher729]

Let me get this straight, Apple includes a charger with this but not with the expensive iphones. Hmm, I thought Apple was trying to save the environment by not shipping wall chargers since we all have so many of them?

I have charging cables in places that are convenient for charging a phone. A Homepod wouldn't go anywhere where it is convenient to charge a phone. It would likely sit on some furniture, with the cable going behind the furniture, the USB-C charger hidden behind the furniture and not accessible.

The problem with wall chargers is not that we have so many, it's that we have so many that are not used. (I have about three that are not used. I don't use them because one wall charger steals one wall power outlet. An Anker 5x charger charges five devices while only taking one wall power outlet. And adding wall power outlets is either expensive, or you buy a really, really ugly 4x power outlet. )

 

[zhenya]

This is not an industrial shop cord, it’s a thin USB-C cord with a lot more wires in it, and a lot more delicate. Not only are there various ways cable can and do fail (dog/cat, kinked in drawer, curling iron, tension over time), cords can be defective, including Apple cords. I treat all my expensive gear well and I’m careful with cables, but I had to replace a MacBook Air cable 3 times over the life of the laptop (twice at Apple’s expense, once at mine) because it kept fraying on the end (it never got to breaking because I wouldn’t let it, but the exposed wire was completely hazardous). It’s not apparent you have a defective cord for usually a long time later.

How much can it cost Apple to just put a damn connector on the other end? They make these things by the millions. Additionally, a separate cord gives you more options for the type (braided?), color, and length of cable, if you don’t like the default.

See post #256 above yours. The usb-c cable world is a mess. If the cable were replaceable, people would be prone to plugging in all sorts of questionable and non-compliant cables which would produce unpredictable results powering the device.

These things are $99 and will generally be left plugged in at a single location. I’m really not concerned about cable durability, especially if these are the same braided cable as the original homepod.

 

[gnasher729]

Shoulde’ve been MagSafe

Why? Please tell us what the advantage of that would be. I can't see any.

 

[gnasher729]

I’m willing to bet money the HomePod mini doesn’t need 20watts. I’m guessing 12watts would have been more then enough, but apple doesn’t want to continue to support usb type A.

id love to find out the power draw.

It will be a little bit for the software and as much as possible for the speakers. Power draw will depend on how loud the music is. They might have a largish capacitor somewhere inside the mini, so it can handle very short spikes needing more power.

 

[gnasher729]

The chances of those cables breaking for this type of product are next to zero. Come on! 🙄

I've never, ever, in more than forty years, had a cable connected to a speaker break.

 

[gnasher729]

As others have pointed out, the adapters people have are mostly USB A. They can use these with their new phones because they already have USB A to Lightning cables, but they’d be no use with this.

We'd have to see if they can be used. For example, an iPad charger provides 12 Watt. That should enough to work, but not get the maximum sound level out of the speakers.

 

[citysnaps]

This is not an industrial shop cord, it’s a thin USB-C cord with a lot more wires in it, and a lot more delicate. Not only are there various ways cable can and do fail (dog/cat, kinked in drawer, curling iron, tension over time), cords can be defective, including Apple cords. I treat all my expensive gear well and I’m careful with cables, but I had to replace a MacBook Air cable 3 times over the life of the laptop (twice at Apple’s expense, once at mine) because it kept fraying on the end (it never got to breaking because I wouldn’t let it, but the exposed wire was completely hazardous). It’s not apparent you have a defective cord for usually a long time later.

How much can it cost Apple to just put a damn connector on the other end? They make these things by the millions. Additionally, a separate cord gives you more options for the type (braided?), color, and length of cable, if you don’t like the default.

In a word, no. It's not a "thin USB-C cord." It is also not a data cable. It supplies power. And the USB-C spec permits some configurations/cables delivering up to 100 watts of power; others 61 watts. Not that HomePod Mini requires that, I would guess maybe 15-20 watts at the absolute max. Still, the cable is critical. The weakest and most unreliable link is at the connector. And Apple making it integrated ensures a lesser cable cannot be used by a customer for power delivery.

Also... Apple designed HomePod Mini to a specific price, less than $100, to foster a ton of purchases in order to get a ton of people into the HomePod system. Which will likely see new devices going forward.

To hit that low price, costs are carefully considered and cut. That's to insure Apple hits its margin targets; now around 38% GPM. From a Wall Street perspective, margins are viewed critically when evaluating companies. As an aside, when I worked at a large semiconductor manufacturer, if I proposed a new product and could not make a case for hitting an 80% GPM, it would very likely not go forward (unless there were other very compelling factors).

So... Apple manufacturing the HomePod Mini actually saves two connectors; a USB-C socket at the HomePod, and a USB-C plug at the cable which plugs into it.

In the end... Apple going with an integrated power cable substantially increases HomePod reliability, permits the company selling the device at less than $100 in order to snag a ton of sales, and maintains their expected margins.

 

[lederermc]

🤣 Apple never promoted this to be wireless or to be used outside like a Bluetooth speaker.

An unforeseen, lost opputunity.

 

[lederermc]

lol I wanted it to be a money printer. It’s a dealbreaker for me.

"Hey Siri, print some money for me." Siri: Playing Eddie Money.