A new smart speaker joining the HomePod family

Oct 13, 2020 21:22 GMT  ·  By

Apple has announced the HomePod mini, a new smart speaker that’s supposed to provide customers with latest-generation capabilities, all in a case that’s just 3.3 inches tall.

HomePod mini will be available in white and space grey for just $99, and it will offer music listening capabilities, Siri integration, and smart home connection.

“To achieve big sound out of such a compact design, the Apple S5 chip in HomePod mini works with advanced software to analyze the unique characteristics of the music and apply complex tuning models to optimize loudness, adjust the dynamic range, and control the movement of the driver and passive radiators in real time. The Apple-engineered full-range driver, powered by a neodymium magnet and a pair of force-cancelling passive radiators, enables deep bass and crisp high frequencies,” Apple explains.

Siri will provide customers with the full feature lineup to access messages, reminders, and notes, manage calls, and get all kinds of information such as traffic data and the weather forecast.

To go on sale in November

The new speaker comes with an Intercom feature that even works with CarPlay.

“A new Intercom feature offers a quick and easy way for family members to connect with each other at home. One person can send an Intercom message from one HomePod to another — whether in a different room, a specific zone, or multiple rooms throughout the home — and their voice will automatically play on the designated HomePod speaker. Intercom works with iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay, so everyone in the household can get Intercom notifications and send Intercom messages from the backyard or on their way home,” Apple announced.

The new HomePod mini will be available on pre-order on November 6, while the shipping will kick off on November 16. Only customers in the U.S. the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, and Spain would get the new speaker, with China, Mexico, and Taiwan to join the list later this year.

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