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

[**maestro**]

Does anyone know why the HomePod and HomePod mini are not available in various countries in Europe? Neither are/will be sold in Italy (where I am), for example 😭

 

[Manzanito]

Pretty sure it was for the environment and profit. No need to insult people man 🍆

No need to insult indeed. No offense meant, my apologies. But I’m sure they just did it for profit, people will end buying a charger, either from apple or from a third party. And they know it.

Also, maybe they’re counting on people to buy the wireless charger instead. They must know, apple is great at making products, but even better at making money.

 

[gnomeisland]

I’m surpised no one has brought up the potential advantages here.

Not happy the HomePod mini doesn’t have a battery? Well, it will now work with a any USB-C power bank! Buy one according to the power/battery life you need. If you need a portable HomePod you’re set. If you don’t, you don’t have to pay/deal with a non-replaceable battery (because, Apple).

Does the USB-C cord allow for audio or just power? USB power means a lot of flexibility. I do wish the cable wasn’t “integrated” but I know Apple prioritized durability for the OG HomePod so port longevity may have been a concern.

 

[haincha]

I'm okay with this change. Makes them international move ready. I may be moving overseas in the next year, and would be nice to not have to get converters for everything in my house. Switch the end and boom, good to go.

I also don't envy anyone with dogs that are chewers. My dog went through a phase where he destroyed my desk chair and two pairs of sunglasses when he was a puppy. Glad he never went for cables.

 

[citysnaps]

Does anyone know why the HomePod and HomePod mini are not available in various countries in Europe? Neither are/will be sold in Italy (where I am), for example 😭

Could it have to do with Apple Music (non)availability?

 

[unsynaps]

Excellent another wall wart.

 

[mr.steevo]

So, do I have to replace my whole unit if the cable is chewed on by one of my cats, or if it breaks by accident?

Ive read that wrapping cord with tin foil stops animals from chewing

 

[easy4lif]

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.

 

[Mo Schmo]

History has proven that cables wear, break and need to be replaced sooner than the devices they power. Having a non-replaceable cable means you have to buy a whole new device, instead of simply replacing the cable.

I mean cables will usually wear down if you use them a lot. This appears to be a thick cable so even less likely to break with moving. How often are people expecting to move this speaker? People don't complain about have non-detachable tv power cords.

If anything making the cable detachable would make more prone to break since you'd be pulling on the cable to remove it.

 

[robotica]

This would be useful if it had an output jack. I could use it with my good speakers that way. Really missing a trick with that I think.

 

[WiseAJ]

Having the cable detachable from the power adaptor with a USB-C connection definitely will help them manufacture them more effectively for multiple countries. They can just have one homepod mini being produced (well two, one white and one space grey) and then pair it with the appropriate 20w adaptor for whatever country they are shipping it to. You can also take it to a different country after purchase easier since you would only need to acquire a different USB-C adaptor instead of a whole new HomePod mini.

 

[yaxomoxay]

How often are people expecting to move this speaker?

Honestly? Often. I use a wireless bluetooth speaker to listen to some music/podcasts as background while I cook, read, work, do house chores etc.

 

[symphony]

No need to insult indeed. No offense meant, my apologies. But I’m sure they just did it for profit, people will end buying a charger, either from apple or from a third party. And they know it.

Also, maybe they’re counting on people to buy the wireless charger instead. They must know, apple is great at making products, but even better at making money.

They have been pushing their environmental efforts for more than a decade now, and you still don’t believe they didn’t do it for the environment?

like did you not watch the October keynote, the lady was standing on a rooftop composed of mainly solar panels. And recently Apple has been bragging about switching to recycled metal and more. That’s just a couple things, they have done a lot of things, especially recently that was an effort to be environmental friendly. Take off the conspiracy theory tin foil, it was obviously both.

 

[2010mini]

Why would you need it detachable?

Maybe because more and more homes are coming with outlets that have USB ports?

 

[ani4ani]

Apple is known for high quality cables that last the lifetime of the device.

well in this case a device that can only last the lifetime of the cable

 

[44267547]

These threads are always filled with people complaining about crazy things. 🤣 I love it.

I know right, like.. ‘I can’t purchase the HomePod mini, because my cat will chew the wire’. Ridiculous. Let’s blame Apple because they included the wire on the HomePod mini, let alone for every other product in your household that has a wire, we should blame those manufacturers while we’re at it. Take responsibility for your pets or put your tech products in an area where your pets don’t have access.

 

[2010mini]

So that you can replace the cable if it breaks. Also allows you to use cables of more convenient lengths, etc.

How do you break a cable on a stationary equipment?

 

[tribeaumes]

Interesting that this comes with a Power adapter but iPhone will not. Ridiculous! 🤣

 

[69Mustang]

No, I don't think so. I suspect Apple's goal was to hit a less than $100 target, in order to get a lot of people hooked into HomePods. And no doubt future HomePod devices as they're released. I'm betting there will be a family of devices going forward.

A good strategy.

It's a strategy. Good? Let's just say our opinions differ on that qualifier. Either way, it should sell more than the HomePod on cost alone.

 

[2010mini]

Honestly? Often. I use a wireless bluetooth speaker to listen to some music/podcasts as background while I cook, read, work, do house chores etc.

But this is not a portable Bluetooth speaker

 

[44267547]

Don't purchase the insurance?

Yup. Apple products generally don’t really need the extra insurance, because they typically don’t experience to many hardware issues traditionally, but the Apple Watch is the one product I would recommend AppleCare for obvious reasons.

 

[2010mini]

This sucks. Apple totally hides this cord and makes it seem like these are wireless little balls that you can place around the house. Not plug in with a long cord! Awful.

Sarcasm? I ask because the cord was visible in the presentation

 

[Maconplasma]

Why not, what if the cable breaks!

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

 

[44267547]

Sarcasm? I ask because the cord was visible in the presentation

Actually, A couple of members actually pointed out that the cord was actually really well hidden during the presentation, leading some to believe that maybe it was wireless at first. But that’s just Apples marketing at its finest Of what they don’t want you to see.

 

[I7guy]

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?

Don't think Apple will ship 80 million homepod minis. I mean if it does. Probably because 5w won't run it.