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Though significantly later to the sensible speaker phase than Google and Amazon, Apple launched the HomePod in 2018. The speaker lastly made it to India over two years after its world launch, priced at Rs. 19,900. Like many Apple merchandise, the HomePod is constructed to work properly throughout the Apple ecosystem, due to specialised connectivity and voice assistant assist via Apple’s personal applied sciences reminiscent of AirPlay and Siri. If the dimensions or worth of the HomePod are key components in your shopping for choice, Apple’s newest launch has made it a bit simpler to personal one in every of its sensible audio system.
Enter the Apple HomePod mini, a smaller and extra inexpensive sensible speaker priced at Rs. 9,900. Launched alongside the iPhone 12 collection, the HomePod mini is Apple’s try at making its sensible speaker vary extra accessible, whereas sustaining the identical capabilities because the bigger HomePod. How good is the HomePod mini? Discover out in our evaluation.
The HomePod mini has no buttons, solely a touch-sensitive panel on the prime to regulate quantity, playback, and Siri
Apple HomePod mini design and specs
The ‘mini’ nomenclature on the HomePod collection is as correct as with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini; the HomePod mini has a smaller kind issue, however with the identical set of options because the bigger HomePod. Nevertheless, Apple has modified the form a good bit, with the smaller machine sporting a spherical physique slightly than the cylindrical type of the larger HomePod.
The form fits the dimensions fairly properly, and the HomePod mini is definitely the nicest wanting compact sensible speaker you should purchase right this moment. The outer aspect of the speaker has a comfortable, mesh-like cloth cowl which provides to the enticing design. The underside has a grippy texture, and that is aso the place you will discover the one Apple emblem on the machine; surprisingly fully hidden away from view in regular operation. The HomePod mini is on the market in two colors – white and house gray – and whereas my white evaluation unit does look good, the gray does look nicer, in my view, and also will be much less vulnerable to discolouration from family mud and dirt.
The highest of the speaker is touch-sensitive for controlling quantity and playback, and invoking Siri. There aren’t any bodily buttons or ports anyplace on the machine. In contrast to different sensible audio system, the ability cable is mounted, with a USB Sort-C plug on the opposite finish that connects into the included energy adapter. This implies the HomePod mini is at all times on when plugged in, and as soon as arrange, it is at all times related to your Wi-Fi.
The controls are fairly easy – the contact zones for quantity are marked with symbols, whereas the centre is a multi-function zone that controls each playback and Siri. In fact, the microphone is at all times on and listening, so you’ll be able to management quantity and playback with the ‘Hey Siri’ wake command as properly. Whereas different sensible audio system have bodily switches to mute the microphone, you’ll be able to solely deactivate Siri on the HomePod mini from the Dwelling app on iOS.
Organising and controlling the HomePod mini wants an iOS machine, and I used my iPad mini (2019) to finish the method via the Dwelling app. Though it took some time to get via, the method is straightforward and dependable, with the HomePod working high quality for me after that. Apple despatched me two HomePod mini models, so I used to be additionally capable of arrange and take a look at the stereo pairing mode. You can too use a number of models for conventional multi-room connectivity, in case you select.
The Dwelling app offers you entry to most settings associated to the HomePod mini, and likewise permits you to play music straight on the speaker whereas utilizing your iOS machine as a controller. There’s additionally the power to regulate ‘Intercom’, a brand new characteristic that permits customers to ship messages on to particular Apple units, in addition to broadcast messages to all units in your house. You can too arrange and voice management any HomeKit appropriate IoT equipment in your house utilizing the HomePod mini.
The Dwelling app for iOS is used to arrange and tweak settings for the HomePod mini
I did have some connectivity points with stereo pairing, with the audio system not reliably holding the connection on a regular basis. I usually had sound coming from only one, and sometimes had the connection from one in every of them drop off for just a few seconds earlier than resuming. With solely a single HomePod mini operational, I did not have any important connectivity points with iOS or macOS.
Moreover, I observed that stereo pairing is not supported by the macOS system on my MacBook Air, even after the replace to Large Sur. When on-line, each audio system are detected individually, and I might select both one for system audio however could not use them collectively as a stereo setup. Utilizing an Apple app reminiscent of Apple Music or Apple TV on my laptop computer did permit me to make use of the audio system as a stereo pair, however this was clearly not the perfect situation to be used with my pc.
Like with the bigger HomePod, the HomePod mini solely straight works with the Siri voice assistant and Apple Music to stream music via voice instructions. Because of this you will want an energetic Apple Music subscription on the account linked to the sensible speaker to be able to play music on demand. The machine does additionally assist iTunes Music purchases, Apple Music Radio (totally free streaming), Apple Podcasts, and information briefings. You need to use AirPlay to stream from another providers reminiscent of Spotify with appropriate units, which I used to be capable of do utilizing my iPad mini.
The HomePod mini has a single full-range driver and two passive radiators for sound, AirPlay 2 for audio streaming over Wi-Fi, and a four-microphone system for selecting up the ‘Hey Siri’ wake phrase and subsequent voice instructions. The Homepod mini does have Bluetooth 5, however this cannot be used to stream music like on different audio system; it is solely used for the preliminary setup course of and speaking with sensible units. There’s additionally the Apple U1 chip, which allows Apple’s Extremely Wideband connectivity to detect different U1-enabled units within the fast neighborhood. It may be used at hand off audio from an iPhone simply by holding it close to the speaker, with extra personalisation options coming with future software program updates. .
Apple HomePod mini efficiency
As with the remainder of Apple’s audio merchandise, the HomePod mini makes up for all of its Apple-specific limitations with sound high quality. That is the best-sounding compact speaker you should purchase, and its tightly managed ecosystem of providers and options helps keep the standard of the sound and efficiency. Though not as loud as different audio system its worth, it’s sufficiently loud for desktop use, and utilizing a second HomePod mini in a stereo-paired setup does give the system sufficient oomph.
As talked about, the HomePod mini is designed to work with solely the restricted protocols and providers which can be absolutely tied in with Apple. Because of this there is not any old school Bluetooth audio playback, and you will have to make use of AirPlay for connectivity with supply units. You probably have a Mac pc, iPhone, or iPad, you’ve all that you must put the HomePod mini to good use. I largely performed music on the speaker utilizing Apple Music on both my laptop computer or pill, however I additionally tried Spotify on my iPad, in addition to common AirPlay to stream system audio from my laptop computer to the speaker.
The facility cable of the HomePod mini is mounted, with a USB Sort-C plug at different finish
The Apple HomePod mini stands out for its sound high quality, and it is notably spectacular how loud and refined this speaker sounds for its dimension. I fairly loved listening to Fact by Kamasi Washington on the HomePod mini, with the speaker providing a terrific mixture of element, a clear sonic signature, and loads of refinement throughout the frequency vary. The speaker held its personal via the observe’s gradual, calculated buildup and eventual orchestral ranges of engagement, with the jazz drums specifically sounding punchy and emotional.
Though the sound was immersive and interesting throughout sources and genres with even only one HomePod mini, Apple’s assist for stereo pairing brings out a complete lot extra if you’ll be able to decide up two to make use of collectively. With some sensible positioning, I used to be capable of get a healthful and spectacular soundstage with correct stereo separation from the paired HomePod minis.
Kamasi Washington’s Fact sounded much more stunning and detailed with the stereo setup, with the audio system providing up loads of element. That is the type of sound I might count on from a high-end multi-speaker system. Though this specific style and observe benefited loads from the stereo setup, it did assist music throughout genres, with even the full of life and cheerful Alfonso Muskedunder by Todd Terje sounding extra full of life.
The Apple HomePod mini has a four-microphone system for voice instructions. This labored properly from even distances as much as round 3m, however not any farther than that. Siri has improved significantly in its skill to grasp the Indian accent, and I typically had no bother with fundamental duties reminiscent of taking part in particular tracks, setting timers, and getting easy questions answered. HomeKit’s ecosystem of IoT units remains to be fairly restricted as in comparison with Google Assistant and Alexa, so there wasn’t a lot I might do with the HomePod mini when it comes to sensible performance.
You probably have two HomePod mini audio system, you’ll be able to arrange stereo pairing for correct stereo sound
Verdict
The HomePod mini is an interesting product that delivers the place it issues. The machine hyperlinks easily with some other Apple merchandise you may need, works properly as a compact sensible speaker, and sounds fairly nice for one thing this small. I used it as a handy wi-fi speaker for my laptop computer and pill to good impact, and the sensible performance was considerably helpful as properly.
Shopping for a second HomePod mini will allow you to arrange a correct stereo sensible speaker system at across the identical worth as that of the bigger Apple HomePod, and I fairly favored how the audio system sounded on this configuration, albeit with some connectivity points. A single HomePod mini works simply high quality by itself, too.
All of this stated, the HomePod mini is a product meant for a really particular viewers, and desires you to be closely invested within the Apple ecosystem to make full use of it, together with having an energetic Apple Music subscription and at the very least one iOS machine. When you’re an Apple fan, the HomePod mini is the very best sensible speaker you should purchase for the value, however do additionally contemplate the bigger HomePod if in case you have the price range for it.
Are iPhone 12 mini, HomePod mini the Good Apple Units for India? We mentioned this on Orbital, our weekly know-how podcast, which you’ll be able to subscribe to through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, obtain the episode, or simply hit the play button under.
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