Leaker: HomePod 'Mini' Close to Launch, But No Second-Generation HomePod This Year

[RFolk]

The Homepod has a great sound , but to me the connectivity is a big issue, not to mention Siri which just doesn't work.

 

[darkslide29]

I loveee my HomePods, but for the love of God... Please Apple... Make Siri smarter. If I have to hear “just a sec” or “hold on, I’m on it!” when I ask to play a simple popular song, I’m gonna go crazy Lol.

I love the sound and design. Just needs better software and AI.

I would totally get a HomePod mini. I wonder if it’s going to have any new features that the regular doesn’t have. We’ll see.

The “just a sec” or “hold on” is irritating when it happens.

I’ve owned one for several months and I had a new issue appear this last week. Any voice command for the HomePod results in Siri telling me she can’t tell if I’m signed into HomePod and to open the home app for more details. I do so, and a prompt in HomePod tells me to update my password but doesn’t tell me where to do so. Then the prompt goes away and the Home app appears normal, but still can’t give commands. Commands to my iPhone or Watch continue to work fine. I’ve been using the same secure password for quite some time now, so it’s not like it’s due to a password change on my end.

Can’t find an answer and it’s driving me mad.

 

[doboy]

Only thing good about my HomePods is the sound. Smaller unit wouldn't be able to match the sound of the larger one so not interested no matter how "cheap" it is. Having Siri is not a selling point. Maybe instead of making a wired HomePod Mini, they should make a portable one that's battery powered.

 

[currentinterest]

We own five HomePods and will likely buy at least one more soon. It will be interesting to see how the mini performs. If the sound is right, we will have to pick up a few of those for the office and a bedroom. I have always thought the price was very good given the quality of the device.

 

[silvertech]

Exactly. The fact that HomePod can't just be a Bluetooth speaker is hurting its appeal.

And do HomePods still need to be plugged into the wall?

There's a reason people still buy simple wireless Bluetooth speakers from JBL, UE, etc. You can easily take them in the backyard by the pool or in the garage. And anyone can easily connect to them at a party.

I understand that HomePods sound amazing for their size. And they have Siri and HomeKit in there too. They are true "smart" speakers.

But sometimes people just want sound that's not chained to the wall.

Its HomePod not TravelPod.

 

[pilotpat]

But you've said those things exist - so what's the point in Apple doing it too. Crap sounding portable bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen, the HomePod is at least unique - I really don't want a battery powered HomePod - I just want Siri in every room.

My portable bluetooth speaker isn't dime a dozen crap (Sonos Move). And i don't think the the HomePod is unique, other than it's the only one with an apple logo on it. I have my phone nearby or my apple watch on all the time, so Siri is in every room already. I use Siri to airplay to my Move or multiple Symfonisks' all of the time.

 

[fishman6]

I think you're confusing value with cost. Sure it might have a high value to you, but the cost is also too high. Especially when compared to any competing device.

But given how limited the music streaming services are on what is essentially a speaker designed for listening to music, I'd argue that it doesn't have a very high value either.

I have zero prob streaming any music I want. And these are an incredible bargain and value if they were priced twice as high

 

[fishman6]

If it's £100 i'll buy a HomePod mini for every room just for Siri.

It cAnt be too difficult to move from one room to another and plug in. Batteries need to be charged also so still tethered to an outlet.

 

[silvertech]

Being allowed to buy 10 HomePods at 50% rebate means an employee can actually make a few hundred dollars extra money by buying $299 HomePods for $150 and selling them for $200. So it's a little bit of tax free income.

HomePods don't sell for 300 dollars from anyone but Apple. No one is gonna buy a new one for that price.

 

[bernoulli]

It’s a really good Airplay speaker and you can pretty much play anything from your phone/iPad/Mac including Spotify, YouTube, twitch, soundcloud etc. I stream twitch all the time.

It really isn’t as big of deal as people make out.

I got four 2nd Gen airport express for half of the price of an homepod. They are now hooked up to four sets of bowers & wilkins speakers. Sound quality is excellent and airplay 2 works well.

 

[Dhonk]

I'd like to have the HomePod to be used as a mic input - that way I could use it as the speaker and mic for video calls, FaceTime etc. I think I can only use it as a speaker in its current form.

not true at all. Can use it via Bluetooth with phone or Mac.

 

[Johnny907]

Sweet. Now I can not buy the overpriced smaller version too.
You're on a roll with this speaker business, Apple.
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not true at all. Can use it via Bluetooth with phone or Mac.

Yeah with massive lag. The actual user experience is horrible in this scenario.

 

[waquzy]

If it’s the same just smaller and less sound they better price it no higher than £70-90

Are you new here?

 

[The Game 161]

Are you new here?

If the price is any different it will tank bad as the homepod did

 

[waquzy]

If the price is any different it will tank bad as the homepod did

Expect it to be around £149, it definitely won't be cheaper than that.

 

[Return Zero]

I think the regular HomePod is a wonderful bargain even if it were priced at $500. For a small speaker the sound quality is unmatched at this price point. I think people who complain that it’s too expensive want APPLE to give them away. And I use any music service I want to play from using my iPhone, including Spotify. Rings on the wooden surface? Give me a break. People pay $200 for AirPods yet complain about $200-300 for these beauties.

I would agree with you if it were a little louder. As it stands, I need a stereo pair to even get close to the volume that I like (in a small/medium size living room). At $200 ($400 pair) they are fantastic, but I would never pay $1000 for a pair simply because it is not loud enough.

 

[user_xyz]

I think the regular HomePod is a wonderful bargain even if it were priced at $500. For a small speaker the sound quality is unmatched at this price point. I think people who complain that it’s too expensive want APPLE to give them away. And I use any music service I want to play from using my iPhone, including Spotify. Rings on the wooden surface? Give me a break. People pay $200 for AirPods yet complain about $200-300 for these beauties.

Why not raise the Price to $1,500.00 ????

 

[farewelwilliams]

Better connectivity. Bluetooth for when guests come round and want to share something from their Android phones, and line in for a more reliable connection to your TV.

HomePod 1 has Bluetooth 5.0. Software just limits Bluetooth usage.

 

[fishman6]

I would agree with you if it were a little louder. As it stands, I need a stereo pair to even get close to the volume that I like (in a small/medium size living room). At $200 ($400 pair) they are fantastic, but I would never pay $1000 for a pair simply because it is not loud enough.

You might need to invest in hearing aids soon. Mine shake the walls at 75%
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Why not raise the Price to $1,500.00 ????

Agree😁

 

[LarryJoe33]

I got rid of my amazon echo devices (had one in every room) when I decided to make the switch to Apple HomeKit exclusively. Bought a HomePod for the living room for voice commands, and have been using my iPhone/ Apple Watch in other rooms. I look forward to buying this smaller one for rooms where the quality isn’t as critical.

I made the switch as I’ve been trying to escape the amazon and google ecosystem, mostly for privacy reasons. But to each their own.

Unfortunately, there is no way HomeKit could come close to doing all I do in my smart home. There just aren't enough products supporting HomeKit whereas everything supports Alexa. I'm not overly paranoid about privacy, the way I look at it is everything is out there and everything we type on Facebook, here, etc. is sold as part of big data, so I can deal with googling something and having it show on my news feed and the side bars right here on MacRumors.

 

[HarryWild]

Hope Apple will price the HomePod Mini at a more reasonable price like $249.99!

 

[darkslide29]

Unfortunately, there is no way HomeKit could come close to doing all I do in my smart home. There just aren't enough products supporting HomeKit whereas everything supports Alexa. I'm not overly paranoid about privacy, the way I look at it is everything is out there and everything we type on Facebook, here, etc. is sold as part of big data, so I can deal with googling something and having it show on my news feed and the side bars right here on MacRumors.

Understood. As far as HomeKit support, I use https://homebridge.io/ on a raspberry pi, which adds HomeKit support to devices that don’t have it. I am able to control my thermostat, Logitech harmony hub, and a couple of smart plugs that don’t natively support HomeKit. My goal in setting this up was to exclusively use the “Home” app on iOS and Siri for smart home control, and so far it’s been a success.

I’m no programmer, it was pretty simple to set up. But not everyone wants to deal with setting up homebridge, so admittedly using echo devices is more of a “it just works” way. Here’s hoping smart home standards continue to improve to where anyone can use whatever they want.

 

[Return Zero]

You might need to invest in hearing aids soon. Mine shake the walls at 75%
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Agree😁

Haha. I don't like to turn mine past about 65% or so because the bass frequencies start to noticeably roll off a bit around that level. I prefer to retain the full-bodied sound, but if I could go up max volume on these while retaining accurate bass levels, I would agree with you on the $500 comment.

 

[robjulo]

The HomePod isn’t unique. Sonos offers similar (if not better sound) with much better connectivity at a lower price.

But you've said those things exist - so what's the point in Apple doing it too. Crap sounding portable bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen, the HomePod is at least unique - I really don't want a battery powered HomePod - I just want Siri in every room.

 

[dazz87]

MiniPod at Mini price of $199