With last week's launch of the second generation HomePod – the big one – we also discovered that the HomePod mini was keeping something secret. Apple's smaller smart speaker turns out to have the same sensor as the new HomePod, with the ability to monitor temperature and humidity.
As my colleague Mat wrote, "this really brings the HomePod (and HomePod mini) to the centre of your smart home system and gives more credence to the Apple Home system." And it also means Apple doesn't need to update its smaller smart speaker any time soon.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple isn't currently working on a replacement for the HomePod mini – but it may be working on software updates instead. I hope he's right.
Why Apple doesn't need to fix the HomePod mini hardware
I have several HomePods mini as well as a pair of first generation HomePods, and as hardware they're brilliant little things. They sound much bigger and much more expensive than they are, and the ability to run multi-room audio is excellent.
However, they're not perfect. Siri in particular is falling far behind rival voice assistants, and its performance on my smart speakers is very, very laggy and sometimes completely unresponsive. Alexa does a much better job of understanding my Scots accent, and of recognising the name of my smart home devices too. And it's miles ahead when it comes to answering my kids' various queries.
According to Gurman, after reintroducing the big HomePods Apple's next step is to make improvements to Siri. I think for most of us that matters more than making new hardware: a Siri that takes five attempts to respond to "turn the dining table light on" is a Siri that still needs some work.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Writer, musician and broadcaster Carrie Marshall has been covering technology since 1998 and is particularly interested in how tech can help us live our best lives. Her CV is a who’s who of magazines, newspapers, websites and radio programmes ranging from T3, Techradar and MacFormat to the BBC, Sunday Post and People’s Friend. Carrie has written more than a dozen books, ghost-wrote two more and co-wrote seven more books and a Radio 2 documentary series; her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. When she’s not scribbling, Carrie is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind (unquietmindmusic).
-
When is Black Friday 2024 – this Friday or next? Here's the official answer
Black Friday is on 29 November in 2024 – a week later than the year previous. But that's not stopped retailers putting on their sales...
By Mike Lowe Published
-
Forget Black Friday, F1 24 is completely free for a limited time
This top racing game has a free weekend
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Apple’s new home hub could be the smart home kit you’ve been dreaming of
More details on Apple's wall-mounted smart home hub are emerging – think a more home-focused iPad mini
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Apple's smart home "wall tablet" could surprise everyone next spring
The robotic iPad is still some time away, but a simpler, square hub could launch as soon as March 2025
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
iOS 18’s Home Hub controls add the Apple TV upgrade I've wanted for years
iOS 18 finally lets Apple Home users choose their preferred Home Hub
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Apple homeOS could launch at WWDC 2024 to take the fight to Amazon
A new smart home operating system incoming?
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Apple's best smart speaker is £50 off; there's a catch but it's a little one
The second generation HomePods are available with nearly 20% off – directly from Apple
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Philips Hue now requires users to make an account - here's everything you need to know
It's taken a lot of people by surprise!
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
Yale smart locks have fingerprint access and Apple HomeKeys support… but there’s a catch
Yale launches two new smart locks with better security and easier access
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
You can now preorder the Flic Twist smart home button (and it's on sale)
Smart home control without voice or apps? Sounds great!
By Lizzie Wilmot Published