First look: Apple announced a wide range of smart home devices at its Welcome Home event in New York, including the second-generation HomePod mini. The new smart speaker has a similar design to its predecessor but offers several upgrades, including support for the revamped Siri AI via a future OTA update.
The headline feature of the HomePod mini 2 is its impending support for Siri AI, which will be rolled out via a future update in the US, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK.
Apple says that following the update, the device will be "profoundly more capable" with an understanding of personal context and extensive knowledge across a wide range of subjects, helping users discover new music and enjoy richer listening experiences, among other things.
The mini 2 can be used either as a standalone speaker or as part of a mesh network of up to four units to create a multi-room stereo system. The multi-speaker network works with the new Apple TV 4K, which debuted at the same event alongside the HomeView smart-home hub, as well as the "Apple Home" range of smart cameras, door locks, and thermostats.
The HomePod mini 2 can be controlled with voice commands to set up accessories and run home automations. When paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, it can help users complete simple tasks, such as finding a song recommended by a friend, setting a reminder tied to a calendar event or location, finding a recipe from an email, or adding ingredients to a grocery list.
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