Apple started working on the development and release of smart speakers back in 2018. Then the first version of HomePod was released. However, it did not become popular among users, but the scientists did not stop and continued their work.

That’s why in 2020, the public saw HomePod mini, which became a budget option for many users and took a leading position in the market and still holds it.

Exterior of HomePod mini

The smart speaker looks like a sphere with a beveled top and bottom.

First of all, there is a mesh side surface and a touchscreen display with backlight on top for controlling the speaker.

HomePod mini is only 84.3 mm high and 97.9 mm wide. This makes it as compact and easy to use as possible.

The device weighs no more than 345 grams.

HomePod mini is available in several colors:

• blue;
• yellow;
• orange;
• white;
• space gray.

The speaker is equipped with speakers and a microphone. There are four of them in total, three of which interact with Siri, the voice assistant. The fourth is directed inward to recognize the voice when music is playing.

Technical specifications of HomePod mini

• size – 168 by 142 mm (height and width);
• 4-inch woofer;
• five neodymium tweeters;
• internal microphone for bass adjustment;
• four microphones for Siri;
• humidity and temperature sensor;
• assessment of the room space;
• smart home control center;
• touch control on the top panel;
• intercom;
• accelerometer;
• Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio;
• Bluetooth 5.0;

• multiroom with AirPlay
• WiFi 802.11n, peer-to-peer search for Apple devices;
• Ultra Wideband chip

Features and purpose of HomePod mini

The main task HomePod mini – control the HomeKit system and interact with the Siri voice assistant.

Other features of the smart speaker:

• the ability to receive and make phone calls;
• reading and replying to messages;
• Setting timers and alarms;
• report to the owner on the most relevant news about the weather forecast;
• voice and display of information found on the Internet;
• voice control of lighting;
• Coordination of devices in a smart home system.

2nd generation HomePod

On January 18, 2023, Apple developers announced the release of a second-generation full-connect smart speaker. It is based on a better chip than the original model. This allows it to support the enhanced spatial sound of the Dolby Atmos standard.

It uses Apple’s U1 chip to stream music from an iPhone, and supports the Thread wireless protocol and the Matter smart home standard, which allows the speaker to control accessories that are compatible with it.

In addition, the 2nd generation HomePod received a voice assistant and new temperature and humidity sensors, and in the near future will be equipped with an audible alert for smoke and carbon dioxide.

HomePod Mini package

The kit does not include as many items as other devices, but it has everything you need for its further functioning:

• HomePod Mini itself
• USB-C cable;
• 20W power supply;
• instructions for using the device and a warranty card for it.

So, this is not the first attempt by developers to create a smart device, but they are improving and expanding its capabilities every year.