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Watch: HomePod Mini Reviews, Sound Quality Tests, and Unboxing Videos

Did MKBHD say that Mini would get the simulated Atmos experience? Is that correct? I don’t thunk it is. That only works with Home Theater on the big one. No?
 
The HomePod Mini will be a home run. At $99 it's a no-brainer.
I ordered one for my kitchen. I might end up getting at least another so to have the stereo sound.
My family, especially my wife that's is totally tech disabled will enjoy getting her tunes out and finding out about the weather.
 
profets said:
Amazing, the $99 HomePod mini includes the 20W USB-C charger in the box, but the $129 MagSafe duo charger (which is essentially just 2 induction chargers in a portable design) doesn't. Wtf.
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I wish people would stop saying this. Yes. The basic chargers are cheaper than that but you fail to remember is that the Apple Watch charger that is like the charger in the Duo is $79. So if you were to buy the two separately it’d be $118. So $129 isn’t that bad for the convenience of having them in one.
 
So if the HomePod mini supports USB-C can it be plugged into a battery for portable use?
 
This is so far overdue and still overpriced compared to Amazon offerings. Heck, Google has had their low-cost dot option available for some time and I'm not sure even they have carved out enough of a userbase compared to Amazon. While waiting for Apple to offer something compelling/affordable enough for me to use throughout my house I eventually threw in the towel and just accepted Alexa. I now have a couple of Spot's and an Echo Show. I like having a small screen to show kitchen timers. I'd probably prefer to switch to Apple, but they took too long, and the lack of a display (for my kitchen timer needs) would be a step back.
 
I own HomePods, Google, Amazon and Sonos speakers and keep going back to Apple‘s products for one basic reason, security. Maybe I’ve had a bit too much Kool-Aid but I do agree with Tim Cook’s refrain about the difference in Apple’s business model. I realize all the players have staff that “listen” to conversations in order to improve function but it comes down to which companies have business modes that directly profits from such activities. Siri has its limits, but I would trade product diversity for security any day.
 
Man, I'd be all over this if Siri didn't suck. Seems it would unite so well with my Mac, iPad, iPhone, etc. However, my little Amazon Echo Dot answers questions MUCH better than Siri ever has, and this is even with questions pertaining to Apple. And I do often just ask it a question. It's so bad, it's funny.
 
severe said:
Man, I'd be all over this if Siri didn't suck. Seems it would unite so well with my Mac, iPad, iPhone, etc. However, my little Amazon Echo Dot answers questions MUCH better than Siri ever has, and this is even with questions pertaining to Apple. And I do often just ask it a question. It's so bad, it's funny.
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Everyone says Siri sucks but when you compare them side by side they seem to all still suck to me. I dont see anyone with a big advantage.
 
campingsk8er said:
I wish people would stop saying this. Yes. The basic chargers are cheaper than that but you fail to remember is that the Apple Watch charger that is like the charger in the Duo is $79. So if you were to buy the two separately it’d be $118. So $129 isn’t that bad for the convenience of having them in one.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I don’t disagree entirely. I’m a big fan of the round Watch charger (I’ve been using it since it launched), and would really love a clean setup with just a single wire (something like the Duo). But after seeing the hands on I really get the sense its more a travel accessory than something meant for day to day use.

But having said that, the round Watch charger that is $79 is relatively large and has some heft to it. It doesn’t move around easily when you drop or pick up your watch. This MagSafe Duo charge does move and doesn’t seem to have the same weight.

And also, for a $129 accessory, a 20W charging brick wouldn’t have been the end of the world to include. I’m sure with the HomePod mini they include it as it likely needs that specific power output to power the device.
 
Still in two minds to pull the trigger here hmm...I’d o get one I know I will want at least two
 
I added a second HomePodMini to my desk, and am playing stereo via my iPhone. Basically to give my ears a rest from wearing headphones over long periods of time.

The MacMini does not directly support stereo without the MIDI app. work around that I've seen reported on MacRumors. Apple, Apple what are you thinking? Maybe I'll give it a try tomorrow.

Well I just discovered my iPhone’s Tidal App. does support the two pods in stereo! I’m surprised! I’d prefer to use my MacMini for this desktop setup

I could see adding a pair for my Apple TV, if its vintage supports it. I’m still waiting for the next Apple TV before I update this third gen. Apple TV.

All in all I’m pleasantly surprised at the sound. A bit thick in the mid-bass, and there is no equalized sound controls. I'm not a bass head. The stereo sounds okay for this level of device. I probably would have been better off with true desktop speakers, but I don't have the space on this desk.

Stopping and starting music suffers from a laggy response to the controls. The volume adjustment lag is particularly bothersome.

As I'm writing this the new right speaker seems to lose sound occasionally. I'm seeing it needs a software update. So that is what I'm doing, and hoping it fixes that issue. If I remember right the software update on my first HomePodMini took ages. So back the headphones for now.

General Update:

I've resorted to using my iPadPro 12.9" to play the HomePodMinis in stereo. Actually not too bad as I rock with Phish and Little Feat this afternoon. But Apple, no easy stereo with Mac...makes me feel like this...

iu.jpeg
IMG_3579.jpeg


No sound cutouts as reported earlier after the second HomePodMini's software was updated. OMG the updates take a long, long, time!

Is anyone else out there using a stereo pair on a desktop setup in front of their Mac?
 
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Follow-Up. Why does Airplay not keep my iPad connected when my iPad goes to sleep? I have to dig into the app., in this case Tidal, and select the HomePodMinis again.
 
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