Apple Launches New HomePod Mini with S10 Chip, Siri AI, and SoundGlow Visuals

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Apple announced an updated HomePod mini featuring an S10 chip, enhanced smart home controls, Siri AI integration, and a new SoundGlow feature. Priced at $149, it will be available from October 30.

Apple has refreshed its HomePod mini smart speaker, introducing a second-generation model equipped with a new S10 chip aimed at optimizing dynamic range, loudness, and overall acoustic performance. This update marks the first major hardware revision since the original HomePod mini launched in 2020.

Priced at $149, the new HomePod mini is $50 more expensive than its predecessor. It offers advanced capabilities to control smart home devices via voice commands and enhanced safety features, such as the ability to listen for sounds like smoke alarms and deliver notifications to users' iPhones—capabilities previously seen in Amazon Alexa devices.

A significant software enhancement involves the integration of Siri AI, which will enable users to engage in multi-turn conversations with the assistant. While Apple has not specified a release date for this feature, it will be delivered through a future software update, enriching the speaker’s interactive experience.

The new HomePod mini also delivers better ecosystem integration. For example, users can create a four-speaker home entertainment setup in conjunction with the latest Apple TV 4K. Additionally, these speakers can serve as the default audio output for Mac computers during video calls or music playback, replacing built-in speakers for improved sound quality.

Visually, the HomePod mini introduces a "SoundGlow" feature that animates the top surface of the speaker in sync with the music. This visual canvas adapts the color scheme from album artwork and can also support soundscape animations like rain or ocean waves, offering an immersive audio-visual experience.

Available in pink, green, blue, white, and midnight, the new HomePod mini is set to launch on October 30, with preorders already open. This update positions Apple to further solidify its smart home and audio ecosystem with more advanced hardware and AI capabilities.