Apple has officially announced the HomePod mini 2. Details include the new Sound Glow feature, support for 4-unit surround sound and a 5-color lineup. The Japanese price is ¥24,800 including tax, and the product is scheduled to launch on 30 October.
Apple has announced the new HomePod mini 2 and set its Japanese price at ¥24,800 (including tax). Pre-orders will open on 13 October, and the product is scheduled to launch on Friday, 30 October. The first-generation model was introduced in 2020, making this the first new model in approximately 6 years.
The main changes in the new model include an upgraded chip, from the S5 to the S10, and the addition of Sound Glow, which illuminates the top in sync with music playback. Sound Glow changes color in response to the album artwork being played and can also provide effects synchronized with ambient sound.
The lineup comprises 5 colors: pink, green, blue, white and midnight. The device can also be used as a speaker for a Mac, provided the Mac is a Wi-Fi 6E model or later. It can be used either alone or as part of a stereo pair. The new Siri AI feature will not be available at launch and is expected to be offered later with English-language support.
Surround sound will be available in a 4-unit configuration when paired with Apple TV 4K (4th generation), allowing sound to be output from the front and rear. The feature is not available on the previous model or the original HomePod mini. The current model is expected to improve the experience of using a television and smart-home devices.