There was no update of the “big” HomePod at the October event, but Apple presented its little brother, the Siri-based sound system. Just like the two remaining iPhone models, which can be pre-ordered from today, the HomePod mini is now also available in the Apple Online Store. Apple sells this for 99 dollars – in this country it is 96.50 euros. With this, Apple uses a much more favorable exchange rate than for various other products. However, weeks pass until delivery, Apple is not ready until mid-December.
There is currently little choice when it comes to sales channels, because as with the first HomePod, Apple initially only serves its own store (). The Apple area at Amazon (still) does not have HomePods either. Incidentally, nothing has changed in one limitation, because the HomePod mini is only available in selected countries. Germany is there, Austria and Switzerland are not.
Brief overview: The HomePod mini
Contrary to expectations, Apple gave the small HomePod a completely unique design and didn’t just shrink the case. The speakers, of which there are fewer than in the large HomePod, are in a sphere rather than a tower. Its top with “+” and “-” buttons is characterized by lighting effects in the Siri colors. On Apple’s product pages there is also a graphic of what the device looks like from the inside:
The HomePod mini can also become a stereo system if you put two devices in one room. However, it is not possible to create such a setup with a mini and a large HomePod (see this message: ). But nothing speaks against using two HomePod minis in one room and two regular HomePods in another room. The “Intercom” function for voice announcements works regardless of the devices used – with iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2, Apple has only just activated the function for iPhones and iPads.