The HomePod mini was first unveiled by Apple in 2020 alongside the launch of the iPhone 12 series, and it has largely remained unchanged since then. In 2021, Apple introduced new color variants such as blue, orange, and yellow. This year, the Space Gray color was replaced with a new Midnight shade, which features 100% recycled mesh fabric.
For the first time in five years, Apple is set to refresh the HomePod mini with some notable improvements.
Enhanced Networking Chip
One of the key upgrades rumored for the upcoming HomePod mini is the addition of Apple’s proprietary networking chip, known by the codename ‘Proxima’. This will make the HomePod mini one of the first devices to support Wi-Fi 6E.
Furthermore, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has noted that this new networking chip could function as a wireless access point, potentially transforming the HomePod mini into more than just a smart speaker. However, it remains uncertain if Apple plans to leverage this feature. If utilized, it could allow the HomePod mini to contribute to a Wi-Fi mesh network, akin to the now-defunct AirPort Express.
Apple Intelligence Features
Despite the HomePod being an excellent platform for Apple Intelligence capabilities, particularly regarding Siri, there are no current rumors indicating that either the HomePod or HomePod mini will receive these features. However, an upcoming smart home display from Apple, often referred to as ‘HomePad’, is expected to incorporate Apple Intelligence.
To enable Apple Intelligence features within the HomePod mini, Apple would need to introduce either an A17 Pro or A18 chipset, which could significantly increase costs. The current HomePod models, including the mini, rely on chipsets designed for the Apple Watch, specifically the S5 chipset found in the Apple Watch Series 5 and the 1st generation Apple Watch SE.
At minimum, Apple could potentially roll out features such as ChatGPT integration or utilize Private Cloud Compute for handling Apple Intelligence-related Siri requests without necessitating extensive on-device processing. While these options would represent some cost to Apple, they could still improve the Siri experience, possibly leading to a paid iCloud+ tier for enhanced features. Time will tell how Apple chooses to navigate this.
Release Timeline
According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the HomePod mini 2 is expected to launch next year:
Apple will begin rolling out the combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip as part of new home devices scheduled for next year, including refreshed versions of its TV set-top box and HomePod mini smart speaker.
Are you excited about the forthcoming HomePod mini? What additional enhancements would you like to see in this device? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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