Apple refreshes HomePod mini with S10 chip and $149 price

Apple has refreshed its HomePod mini smart speaker with an S10 chip and a $149 price. The update costs $50 more than the original version, which launched in 2020, more than six years ago.

The S10 chip is intended to improve dynamic range, loudness and acoustic performance. Apple says the speaker can control smart home devices by voice and listen for sounds such as a smoke alarm, then send a notification to users’ phones.

Apple also says the new speaker works with its other devices. Users can pair four speakers with the new Apple TV 4K to create a home entertainment system. The HomePod mini can also serve as the default speaker for a Mac during video calls or music playback.

A visual feature called “Sound Glow” uses colors from album art to make the speaker’s top glow and pulse in time with music. Users can also choose soundscapes, including rain or ocean waves, to trigger animations.

Siri AI integration is planned through a future update. Apple says it will support multi-turn conversations, but has not provided a release date. The speaker comes in pink, green, blue, white and midnight. Pre-orders begin October 13, and availability starts October 30.