conv.

All stories
TechResurging · day 3

Apple launches $149 HomePod Mini 2, but Siri AI won't work at launch

The first HomePod Mini refresh in six years adds an S10 chip, new colors and a 50% price hike — minus the AI assistant it was announced with.

newest coverage 3h agosummary written 13h ago48 pieces29 likes & upvotes5 comments Hacker NewsNewswiresXGoogle NewsMastodon

Part of a larger narrative

Apple's Smart Home Offensive

6 stories · since Sep 25 · newest 1h ago — Apple is mounting a major push into the smart home market with new hardware announcements and manufacturing partnerships, signaling a strategic pivot toward…

  1. Apple's wall-mounted HomeView costs the same $299 but excludes the required mount
  2. Apple launches $149 HomePod Mini 2, but Siri AI won't work at launchyou are here
  3. Apple launches HomeView smart display, new Apple TV 4K and Siri AI at 'Welcome Home' event
  4. macOS 27.2 beta code adds fuel to Apple's touchscreen MacBook rumors
  5. Apple confirms Oct. 13 ‘Welcome Home’ event in New York for smart home push
All 6 stories in this narrative →

What to know

  • Apple's first HomePod Mini update in nearly six years costs $149 ($199 in Canada), roughly 50% more than the original model.
  • The marquee feature, Siri AI, is not available when the device ships on October 30 — it will arrive via a later software update.
  • New hardware includes the S10 chip, 'Sound Glow' LED lighting matched to album art, Mac default-speaker support, and four-speaker surround with Apple TV 4K.
  • New pink and green colorways join a refreshed blue plus existing black and white options.

Apple ManufacturerCameron Faulkner The Verge reporterJennifer Pattison Tuohy The Verge reporterRyan Christoffel 9to5Mac reporter

Apple launches $149 HomePod Mini 2, but Siri AI won't work at launch
theverge.com

How it unfolded 6 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 31 pieces in one hour at Yesterday, 8 AM; 48 pieces over 3 days (38 articles · 10 posts) Oct 11, 10 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Oct 11, 11 AM — quietOct 11, 12 PM — quietOct 11, 1 PM — quietOct 11, 2 PM — quietOct 11, 3 PM — quietOct 11, 4 PM — quietOct 11, 5 PM — quietOct 11, 6 PM — quietOct 11, 7 PM — quietOct 11, 8 PM — quietOct 11, 9 PM — quietOct 11, 10 PM — quietOct 11, 11 PM — quietOct 12, 12 AM — quietOct 12, 1 AM — quietOct 12, 2 AM — quietOct 12, 3 AM — quietOct 12, 4 AM — quietOct 12, 5 AM — quietOct 12, 6 AM — quietOct 12, 7 AM — quietOct 12, 8 AM — quietOct 12, 9 AM — quietOct 12, 10 AM — quietOct 12, 11 AM — quietOct 12, 12 PM — quietOct 12, 1 PM — quietOct 12, 2 PM — quietOct 12, 3 PM — quietOct 12, 4 PM — quietOct 12, 5 PM — quietOct 12, 6 PM — quietOct 12, 7 PM — quietOct 12, 8 PM — quietOct 12, 9 PM — quietOct 12, 10 PM — quietOct 12, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — 31 pieces · 27 articles · 4 posts — Newswires 23, Google News 4, X 3, +1 moreYesterday, 9 AM — 6 pieces · 5 articles · 1 post — Newswires 3, Mastodon 2, Google News 1Yesterday, 10 AM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Mastodon 2, Newswires 1Yesterday, 11 AM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Newswires 2, Mastodon 1Yesterday, 12 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Yesterday, 1 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Yesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Hacker News 1Yesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Yesterday, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quiet 12–6
Oct 12yesterdaynow · 1:48 AM ET
  1. 6

    Hands-on coverage details the new color lineup

    The Verge gets an up-close look at the HomePod Mini 2, confirming new pink and green models, a changed blue, and continued black and white options, alongside the Mac-speaker integration.

    “There’s now a pink model and a green model, and the blue has changed colors.”
    — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    • hkrn@mstdn.social

      Apple HomePod Mini 2 L: https://www. apple.com/homepod-mini/ C: https:// news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5 0080765 posted on 2026.10.13 at 20:13:30 (c=1, p=4)

      hkrn@mstdn.socialMastodon3h agoview on Mastodon ↗
  2. 5

    9to5Mac reveals Siri AI is missing at launch

    Checking Apple's website fine print, 9to5Mac finds that despite Siri AI being presented as the HomePod Mini 2's major feature, it won't actually be available when the device ships on October 30.

    “Apple confirms HomePod mini 2 won’t have Siri AI at launch…”
    — Ryan Christoffel
    1. 1 outlet Apple confirms HomePod mini 2 won’t have Siri AI at launch

      first by 9to5Mac, 15h ago

    • Here's my overview of the HomePod mini 2. I think I'm going to buy two for my desk and pair them with my Mac. 💸 https://www. macstories.net/news/apple-reve als-homepod-mini-2-with-new-colors-richer-sound-and-siri-ai/

      viticci@macstories.netMastodon15h agoview on Mastodon ↗
  3. 4

    Preorders open for October 30 shipping

    Apple opens preorders for the HomePod Mini 2 through its website, with the device set to launch and begin shipping on Friday, October 30.

    “The HomePod Mini 2 launches on Friday, October 30th, and you can place a preorder to snag one to ensure you’ll get it on launch day.”
    — Cameron Faulkner
    1. 3 outlets Apple refreshes its Homepod mini with a new chip and $149 price tag

      first by TechCrunch, 16h ago · also The Verge, Mashable

      2 more headlines
  4. 3

    Coverage flags the 50% price increase over original Mini

    Outlets note the jump from the original HomePod Mini's price to $149 (and $199 in Canada) alongside otherwise modest hardware upgrades.

    “Apple unveils HomePod mini 2 with support for upcoming Siri AI, but it costs 50% more…”
    — Neowin
    1. 6 outlets Apple's HomePod mini 2 is here with Siri AI, new colors and improved sound

      first by GSMArena.com, 16h ago · also Thurrott, Gadget Review, Neowin, MacStories, Trusted Reviews

      5 more headlines
    2. 3 outlets HomePod mini 2 Is Here With Siri AI, Five New Colours and a $199 Price in Canada

      first by iPhone in Canada, 16h ago · also TechRadar, The Mac Observer

      2 more headlines

    • Next up: HomePod mini 2. We're talking big sound and beautiful new colors. And with support for Siri AI coming later, it can become your ultimate home assistant.

      @gregjozX16h agoview on X ↗
    1 more of the top 2 · 3 posts in this stretch

    • New HomePod mini 2! Love this pink 💕

      @ijustineX16h agoview on X ↗
    all of them →
  5. 2

    Apple announces the HomePod Mini 2

    Apple unveils the $149 HomePod Mini 2, its first Mini refresh in nearly six years, featuring the S10 chip (from Apple Watch Series 10), a 'Sound Glow' LED feature that matches album artwork, four-speaker surround sound with Apple TV 4K, and support for acting as a Mac's default speaker.

    1. 4 outlets Here are all the new HomePod Mini 2 colors

      first by The Verge, 14h ago · also MacRumors, Engadget, Android Authority

      3 more headlines
    2. 2 outlets 4 Cool New Features That Make The HomePod Mini 2 Worth It

      first by BGR, 16h ago · also MacDailyNews

      1 more headline
    2 more claims →
  6. 1 day quiet
  7. 1

    Last-minute rumors circulate ahead of Apple event

    MacRumors and other outlets publish final speculation about specs and pricing shortly before Apple's announcement.

    1. 1 outlet first by The Mac Observer, 16h ago · read ↗

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 3 outlets HomePod mini 2: everything you need to know about Apple's newest pint-sized smart speaker

    first by The Shortcut, 16h ago · also Macworld, The Apple Post

    2 more headlines

and 3 smaller pieces

What people are saying 0 voices from 0 sites · best of 5 · verbatim