Apple has unveiled the HomePod mini, an all-new 3.3-inch tall HomePod priced at $99.
Featuring the same Siri-focused experience as the first-generation HomePod, the HomePod mini features an Apple-designed acoustic waveguide to direct the flow of sound down and out toward the bottom of the speaker for a 360-degree audio experience, offering a consistent sound anywhere in the room.
The speaker features a three-microphone array to listen for “Hey Siri” commands, with a fourth inward-facing microphone designed to isolate sound coming from the speaker to improve voice detection when music is playing.
Users can play music from Apple Music, as well as third-party services such as iHeartRadio, radio.com, and TuneIn, with support for Pandora and Amazon Music coming soon.
Multiple HomePod mini speakers can be paired to play together to stream music or podcasts to multiple rooms. By placing two HomePod mini speakers in a single room, a stereo pair can be created for a wide soundstage, filling the space with rich, enveloping sound.
Apple is launching a new Intercom feature with the HomePod mini to quickly send voice messages to other HomePods around the home. The Intercom feature also with iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay, so messages can be listened to when out and about.
HomePod mini is available in white and space gray for $99 (US). Customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US are able to order HomePod mini beginning at 5 a.m. PST on Friday, November 6, with availability beginning the week of November 16. HomePod mini will be available in China, Mexico, and Taiwan later this year.
