Again in 2020, Apple launched the $99 HomePod mini for these searching for a miniature, extra inexpensive version of its sensible speaker. Whereas I completely adore the pair I’ve linked to my Apple TV for audio output, sure annoyances generally downgrade the general expertise.
With the HomePod mini 2 rumored to launch in some unspecified time in the future this 12 months, I hope Apple addresses my considerations by equipping it with these 5 upgrades.
1. ChatGPT integration
On the newest variations of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, customers can depend on ChatGPT’s smarts when addressing Siri. Notably, this integration, like different Apple Intelligence perks, is restricted to the newest iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
With the HomePod mini 2, I sincerely hope Apple helps the ChatGPT integration and lets customers configure it within the House app. Limiting Writing Instruments and picture era options to gadgets with not less than 8GB of RAM is sensible as a result of they work offline. Incorporating ChatGPT, however, would merely ship queries to and fetch related responses from OpenAI’s servers. I’m assured there are not any technical challenges stopping the corporate from supporting it on much less highly effective merchandise.
Now, you could be questioning: Can’t this man simply use the upgraded Siri on his iPhone, iPad, and Mac? Does he really want ChatGPT on the HomePod?
The issue is that, by design, HomePods will at all times deal with your voice instructions. So, once you holler Siri or Hey Siri, the “smart” speaker will course of your request, even when you’re actively utilizing an Apple Intelligence-equipped gadget. This limits me to Siri’s notorious information and bars me from utilizing the ChatGPT integration—until I set off Siri utilizing the bodily button on my iDevice or Mac. However that’s impractical when one’s palms are occupied.
As a workaround, I set my HomePods to solely reply to “Hey Siri” (and never “Siri”). This manner, once I want to manage media playback on my Apple TV, I can use the longer wake phrase to catch its consideration. For all different queries, I go for vanilla Siri, which solely my iPhone, iPad, and Mac acknowledge. Whereas this workaround is efficient to an extent, it’s pointless, and most customers are most likely unaware of it. Baking ChatGPT into the HomePod mini 2 would make everybody’s lives simpler.
2. A Dolby Atmo-Sphere
My HomePod mini journey began with a single unit a few years in the past. I immediately fell in love with the 10cm sphere and determined to purchase a second one to allow stereo listening. Initially, Apple promised it will carry Dolby Atmos help to each the unique and mini variants of its sensible speaker.
Nonetheless, it in the end restricted spatial audio to the non-mini editions. Whereas some declare you possibly can pressure the minis to output spatial audio with sure workarounds, I haven’t personally been in a position to make it work. Moreover, Apple explicitly states on an official help doc (https://help.apple.com/en-us/102357) that the HomePod mini is incompatible with Dolby Atmos.
Foundry
Critics could argue that spatial audio is a privilege unique to flagship gadgets. Although, provided that the entry-level AirPods 3 and 4 help the format, it’s clear that Apple isn’t limiting it to its premium merchandise. So, right here’s hoping the HomePod mini 2 formally adopts spatial audio output to assist customers additional brighten up the ambiance.
3. Casting name: mini meets Android
Sadly, life generally throws green-bubbled associates our approach, and we will’t at all times say no to that. Whereas us people have, to some extent, discovered tips on how to settle for one another’s variations, the HomePod mini nonetheless has a protracted technique to go. Regardless of packing a Bluetooth chip like most different wi-fi audio system, it limits audio enter to Apple’s proprietary AirPlay protocol.
So, after we by chance invite an Android telephone person over, they will’t forged audio to the HomePod mini, as AirPlay isn’t formally supported on Google’s platform. Apple’s resolution is utilizing the just lately upgraded SharePlay function in Apple Music that lets anybody in your home management the queue—with out essentially having an iPhone or lively subscription.
Not all HomePod house owners pay for Apple Music and might entry SharePlay, nonetheless, and generally the greenlings could need to forged a distinct kind of audio that isn’t music. Whereas a easy OS replace might theoretically unlock this restriction on present HomePod fashions. I want Apple would let mini 2 customers forged media through Bluetooth, not less than.
4. Visible symphonies
The HomePod mini already has a wise show of types. When in use, its brightness robotically adjusts to the room’s lighting, and the colours change primarily based on the carried out motion. For instance, you get Siri’s hues when counting on the assistant and a generic white dot when enjoying media.
Foundry
A welcome HomePod mini 2 improve can be introducing a fair smarter display that adapts to the enjoying media. When streaming music, the display would double as a fundamental visualizer that includes the album artwork’s distinguished colours. The shades would additionally sway accordingly—much like Siri’s present animations that react to your voice and its responses.
5. A green-minded speaker
Final however not least, a very sensible speaker would additionally care about our deteriorating planet. The unique HomePod has a semi-removable energy wire that requires customers to tug it out in a really cautious and particular method. Apple then addressed the problem with the HomePod 2 by making the cable’s ejection course of safer and extra easy.
In contrast to each fashions, the HomePod mini has a completely non-removable wire. So, those that injury the ability cable can’t merely purchase one other one and exchange it at dwelling. They’d both want to purchase a brand new speaker or verify if Apple can restore the injury—which generally prices a premium. Hopefully, the HomePod mini 2 will comply with within the HomePod 2’s footsteps and introduce an analogous wire. It’s unethical to deem a practical speaker ineffective strictly as a result of its degenerated cable is glued to it.
The subsequent HomePod mini must be extra simply repairable, together with a replaceable energy wire.
Foundry
Make the improve matter
The HomePod mini is already a well-rounded speaker as it’s. Moreover providing a voice assistant, strong sound high quality, and seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem, it additionally totally helps Thread networking and controlling HomeKit, and Matter sensible dwelling equipment. Nonetheless, and as we’ve established above, there are just a few imperfections that the iPhone maker might tackle with the forthcoming mannequin, and I hope it’ll be a noteworthy refresh.
Given the insignificance of the latest AirPods Max “upgrade,” I worry Apple could equally go for a lazy strategy with the HomePod mini 2. Past that includes an upgraded, in-house Wi-Fi chip with help for Wi-Fi 6E, not a lot is thought concerning the new mannequin’s enhancements.
