Apple’s new smart speaker, HomePod mini, is launched which is half the size of the original HomePod with a new light-emitting touch panel on the top. It possesses the Ultra Wide Band (UWB) capabilities that allow it to track other Apple devices with the U1 chip and use the information for –
- Interacting with other smart home devices,
- Media and Volume controls and,
- Door locks.
The HomePod mini is priced at Rs 9,900 in India while in the US, it is priced at Rs 7,300. HomePod mini comes in two colors – White and Space Gray.
HomePod mini Specifications
The HomePod mini is run by the Apple S5 processor. It includes a U1 chip enabling the “Ultra-Wideband” feature. This will allow accurate tracking of other related devices including iPhones and Apple Watch models. The HomePod mini uses this information for maintaining media controls, volume controls, brightness, home locks, and more.
With UWB technology and U1 chip, Apple is going to provide wider HomeKit support and improved functionality. Mini can also warn you if a device is taken from your home.
HomePod mini’s new feature called “Intercom” allows users to send messages from one device to another within the same house. This feature can work with an iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, and even in a car with a CarPlay. The message can be played on all speakers in the home and even on the Airpods worn by the family members. There is a voice command also allowing message recipients to respond.
HomePod mini comes with Siri, hence you can ask the voice assistant to play music from various music streaming apps. On the top, there is a touch-sensitive surface providing users to control the volume. This orientation is different from the Homepod which has a plastic top with a display.
