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What's Next for HomePod Mini: Recapping the Latest Rumors

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It's been over two years since Apple released the HomePod mini. Beyond new color options, the smart speaker has not been updated since launching in November 2020, but rumors suggest that a new model could be in the pipeline.

homepod-mini-thumb-feature.jpg

Below, we've recapped the latest rumors and expectations for the HomePod mini.

HomePod Mini History

  • October 2020: Apple announces the HomePod mini during its iPhone 12 event.
  • November 2020: HomePod mini launches November 16 in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Spain, and the U.K., followed by Mexico and Taiwan on November 24.
  • December 2020 - November 2021: HomePod mini launches in mainland China, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, and Italy.
  • March 2021: Apple discontinues the full-sized HomePod.
  • November 2021: HomePod mini gets three new color options: yellow, orange, and blue.
  • March 2022: HomePod mini launches in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

HomePod Mini Rumors

New Model

In August 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was considering launching an updated version of the HomePod mini in the future, but he did not provide a specific timeframe or details about potential new features. He did say the update was unlikely to be "super-impressive," suggesting any changes to the speaker would be minor.

More Countries

Apple is likely to launch the HomePod mini in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden in the foreseeable future based on Siri language support.

In recent software updates, the HomePod mini and full-sized HomePod gained support for Siri in Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish. Danish is still not supported on HomePods, but a report earlier this year indicated that the language was being tested.

Improved Home App

Starting with iOS 16.2, which remains in beta testing, an optional update is available for the Home app on the iPhone. Apple says the update improves the app's performance, efficiency, and reliability for controlling smart home accessories.

To upgrade the Home app, all HomePod speakers associated with the same iCloud account as the iPhone must be updated to HomePod software version 16.2, which also remains in beta testing and is expected to be released alongside iOS 16.2 later this month.

Article Link: What's Next for HomePod Mini: Recapping the Latest Rumors
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/12/05/whats-next-for-homepod-mini/
Wouldn't mind a bit more functions such as a full EQ, and the units could use far brighter sound overall. Coaxial (if possible) woofer / tweeter for more crisp highs would be appreciated.

I love my stereo pair, and while they do have better bass, the sound quality is just not as sharp as my old pair of Apple Pro desktop speakers!
 
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Don’t understand why Apple did not release the HomePod minis in all the same colors as the iMac 24”. Missing are green, purple and red. Added are black and white.
 
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My wishes for HomePod mini:
  • Faster processor capable of On-Device Siri
  • Better noise handling on the microphone
  • Improved audio quality (louder)
  • LED segments on the status lights that displays the current time or timer status
  • Spec bumped to Wi-Fi 6
  • Bedtime Sleep integration when the iPhone or Apple Watch is nearby
 
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I've tried stereo setup in the bedroom, and the number of times I had to reset the setup for syncing issues is pretty high, it's just not good enough and it's laughable to think it's reliable for tv setup.

Once they release an updated full-size Homepod, my office 2018 homepod will replace the mini.
 
Siri is the problem. Beyond setting a timer and telling me the weather it isn’t good for much. The speakers themselves are great for having them spread throughout the house to play music or podcasts. But initiating that via Siri works so poorly that I gave up on it.
 
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All I'm waiting for, is for Spotify to FINALLY integrate Siri command functionality with HomePod. "The app hasn't added support for that with Siri" - They've had years to fix this!
 
I wish Apple would pay more attention to HomePod. Right now mine are stereo paired yet keep drifting out of sync over 30 seconds... these are so broke, released not broken then broken over time w new updates. It's garbageware until all of HomePod's many issues are fixed and until Apple dedicates more developmental brawn and brains to this product.
 
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nutmac said:
My wishes for HomePod mini:
  • Faster processor capable of On-Device Siri
  • Better noise handling on the microphone
  • Improved audio quality (louder)
  • LED segments on the status lights that displays the current time or timer status
  • Spec bumped to Wi-Fi 6
  • Bedtime Sleep integration when the iPhone or Apple Watch is nearby
Click to expand...
A Product Red HomePod Mini would be very welcoming. Or how about a radium-luminous color so it can be seen at night without turning on the lights?
 
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can the homepods be used to play music by manually selecting them as output speakers in apple music? my own music library too, even if I quit my apple music sub? (and never ever use siri at all?)
 
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nutmac said:
My wishes for HomePod mini:
  • LED segments on the status lights that displays the current time or timer status
  • Bedtime Sleep integration when the iPhone or Apple Watch is nearby
Click to expand...
Status lights like you describe could be cool, a visual indicator of a timer at a glance.
I would love an integration with Sleep Focus. It could start white noise automatically with the proper volume etc. instead of interrupting the current playlist on the HomePod. There should also be a visual interface for Apple white noise control, let me tap the noise of choice instead of asking Siri. It's downtime and my wife may be asleep, Siri responding to my request "Play Stream Sounds" is obnoxiously loud.
 
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I would like to have the ability to set my time zone. My Home Pod is always 1 hr. ahead because I'm close to a timezone change.
 
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What's bizarre to me is the inconsistency of these devices. I have two minis in different areas and one in particular just is always failing to respond correctly. Like when I tell it to adjust a room's lighting and it says that song is not in my music collection. The other one never does that.
 
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I want my stereo HomePod Minis to be the primary speakers which will auto connect and stay connected to my Mac like it does for the Apple TV. I hate having to reselect my HP minis every time I start my computer and even from wake sometimes.
 
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entropi said:
can the homepods be used to play music by manually selecting them as output speakers in apple music? my own music library too, even if I quit my apple music sub? (and never ever use siri at all?)
Click to expand...
This is how I use my HomePods; sometimes, from my phone, other times, from my mac. It's really nice when you have multiple speakers throughout the house.
 
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I just want Siri to heal from her obvious head trauma. She’s completely brain damaged. Like local Siri processing. None of this “I can’t do that” because my phone is off.

In terms of new hardware, I’ll take a HomePod that’s better than the mini but not $300. Give me a HomePod OG Mini or a HomePod mini Pro for $200 and I’ll bite.
 
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I've a pair of HomePods in one room, with the rest setup with Alexa.


I really appreciate that the HomePod privacy and that isn't pushing an agenda. Alexa's privacy settings are troublesome for me, and Alexa is always making recommendations with no way to disable it.

I have had no issues with syncing and Siri works fine for me. I'm not looking for Siri to be an Assistant--just play what I ask. Maybe tell me the weather. That's enough.

However....

There's no viable way to play "NPR One" except via AirPlay from a phone. NPR One was announced for HomePod when it was initially released but never happened.

If the music service is set to Apple Music, then things pretty much work. But switching to Pandora and everything goes out the window. I could be wrong, but It seems that the Music service is responsible for parsing Siri commands even those unrelated to music. I wonder how many of the Siri issues reported are due to this.

The music choices are limited to Apple and Pandora. Spotify was announced for HomePod when it was initially released but never happened.

There's support to configure a HomePod as a stereo but not a whole house audio. So several HomePods in different rooms and syncing. Only one HomePod in a stereo config is listening for commands, so she won't hear you in the other room.

I'd love to replace my 7 Alexa devices with HomePods, but not until minimally the first two issues.
 
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