Apple announces HomePod mini 2 with Siri AI, S10 chip and new colors

Apple has announced HomePod mini 2, bringing Siri AI, an S10 chip, new colors and a major expansion of the speaker’s audio capabilities.

The second-generation HomePod mini is available to pre-order from today in pink, green, blue, white and midnight, with availability beginning Friday, October 30. Apple says the new model is priced at $149 in the U.S.

According to Apple’s announcement, Siri AI will arrive through a future software update, bringing personal context, broader world knowledge and more conversational interactions to HomePod mini.

HomePod mini 2 gets S10 and four-speaker surround sound

Apple has upgraded HomePod mini from the S5 chip used in the original model to the S10, with computational audio analyzing music in real time to optimize dynamic range, loudness and acoustic performance.

HomePod mini 2 can also be used as part of a new four-speaker surround sound system with Apple TV 4K (4th generation). Apple says the setup can automatically recognize speaker positions in the room and calibrate audio timing and levels to the space.

The new HomePod mini can also serve as the default speaker for compatible Macs, including for movies, gaming, FaceTime and video calls.

Sound Glow turns the top of HomePod mini into a light show

A new Sound Glow feature makes the top surface pulse and glow in time with music, with colors generated from the album artwork currently playing. Users can also trigger visual effects using soundscapes such as rain.

HomePod mini 2 continues to work as an Apple Home hub and adds deeper integration with Apple’s newly announced Home Collection accessories, including support for doorbell and camera Face Recognition announcements.

The announcement comes alongside Apple’s broader smart home push, which also includes the new HomeView and a refreshed Apple TV 4K. The Apple Post will be covering each announcement separately throughout the day.

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