Apple Releasing HomePod Mini 2 Tomorrow With These New Features

Following more than two weeks of pre-orders, the HomePod mini 2 will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores this Friday, October 30. Siri AI will be one of the HomePod mini 2's key upgrades, but the feature will not be available at launch. Apple said Siri AI support on the speaker will arrive in a future software update, but it did not say when the update will be released. Siri AI is the more intelligent and personalized version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence that launched on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer in September. HomePod mini 2 is powered by the Apple Watch Series 10's S10 chip, up from the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip in the original HomePod mini. Apple said the S10 chip enables "advanced computational audio," but it did not explicitly confirm if the HomePod mini 2 has improved sound quality compared to the original model. The speaker now supports faster Wi-Fi 6E, up from Wi-Fi 4. The new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K can connect to four HomePod mini 2 or full-sized HomePod 2 speakers in front and rear pairs, allowing for surround sound. Many home theater enthusiasts will prefer to use a proper 5.1 surround sound system with a center speaker and a subwoofer, but this basic all-Apple system at least exists now, and Apple says the front two HomePods virtualize the center channel to some extent. Note that you mix and match HomePod mini 2 and full-sized HomePod 2 speakers for surround sound, so long as the front and rear pairs match. For example, you could have two full-sized HomePod 2 speakers as the front pair and use two HomePod mini 2 speakers as the rear pair. A related Whole Room Audio feature is offered for parties. You can set the HomePod mini 2 as the default audio output on Macs with Wi-Fi 6E and later. The full-sized HomePod 2 also supports this capability now — make sure to install the latest HomePod software version 27.2 via Apple's Home app. There are three Siri microphones in the HomePod mini 2, down from four in the previous model. With the new Sound Glow feature, the top of the HomePod mini 2 glows and pulses in sync with the music playing. You do not need the new model, though, as a software update extended this feature to the original HomePod mini and the full-sized HomePod 2. HomePod mini 2 is available in all-new green and pink color options, along with blue, midnight, and white. In the U.S., the speaker is priced at $149. The previous model was initially $99, but Apple increased the price to $129 in June. Popular StoriesNew Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just LeakedSunday October 11, 2026 12:56 pm PDT by Joe RossignolJust two days before Apple's "Welcome home" experience in New York, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has leaked several details about the new products set to be unveiled, including an all-new smart home hub, a HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV 4K. Here is an all-in-one summary of the details shared by Gurman:Apple's home hub with a touch-enabled display will be named HomeView, seemingly confirming a ...Three New Apple Smart Home Products Coming on October 13Apple plans to introduce a series of new smart home products on Tuesday, October 13, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple reportedly plans to debut its long-awaited smart home hub device, a new HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV on the date. The new HomePod mini and Apple TV are set to retain their existing designs, but tout faster chips to support Siri AI. The new HomePod mini will...Apple Expected to Release New Products on Next Four FridaysSunday October 18, 2026 11:01 am PDT by Joe RossignolApple likely plans to release MacBook Pro models with OLED displays, 14-inch MacBook Pro and iMac models with M6 chips, and/or an iPad mini 8 with an OLED display on Friday, November 6, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The devices are expected to be announced on Tuesday, October 27 or Wednesday, October 28. If this timeframe proves to be accurate, then Apple will be releasing new...