Apple unveiled the latest smart speaker – HomePod mini, along with its new iPhone 12 series at Apple Event on October 13, 2020. Apple HomePod mini is the smaller version of the standard Apple HomePod speaker. It is Apple’s first mini smart speaker announced at a price tag of $99, which converts to around NPR 11,500.
Apple HomePod mini Overview
Apple HomePod mini comes in a mini compact design yet, delivers big sound, an intelligent assistant, smart home capabilities, and built-in privacy and security.
Design
Apple HomePod mini features a spherical design with a flat base and top. The design is similar to its standard HomePod but is smaller in size with 3.3-inch (84.3 mm) height, 3.9-inch (97.9 mm) width, and weighs 0.76 pounds (345 grams). The body is wrapped in a perfectly seamless mesh fabric and is available in two color finishes – White and Space Gray.
Touch Controls
The backlit touch surface on the top provides quick control.
- A single tap Play / Pause the music or Siri.
- A double-tap Skip it for the next content.
- A triple-tap Skip back to the previous content.
- Touch and hold to activate Siri.
- Tap or hold + or – to Volume up / down.
Audio
The HomePod mini integrates the Apple S5 chipset to deliver computational audio for real-time tuning, and it has an Apple-designed acoustic waveguide for an immersive 360-degree sound field. It has a full-range driver and dual passive radiators for deep bass and crisp high frequencies.
Moreover, the mini smart speaker has a four-microphone design with a three-microphone array for far-field Siri, and a fourth one is an inward-facing microphone to improve voice detection by isolating sound coming from the speaker. The device also supports Multiroom audio with AirPlay 2, features like Intercom, and Stereo pair cable.
Connectivity and other features
Wireless Connectivity-wise, the HomePod mini is provided with 802.11n Wi-Fi, Direct Guest Access, Bluetooth 5.0, and Ultra-Wideband chip for device proximity.
Besides, the mini speaker works effortlessly with Apple devices and features an intelligent assistant – Siri. You can add voices of up to six different family members on HomePod mini and create a personalized experience for each person. Also, you can control your smart home with the word “Hey Siri”.
Apple HomePod mini Specifications
| Dimensions and Weight | 3.9 inches wide; 3.3 inches high 0.76 pounds / 345 grams |
| Audio | Apple S5 chipset to deliver computational audio Acoustic waveguide for 360-degree sound effects Multiroom audio with AirPlay 2 Stereo pair cable, Intercom |
| Drivers | Full-range driver and dual passive radiators |
| Microphone | Four-microphone design for far-field Siri |
| Touch Controls | Backlit touch surface |
| Connectivity | 802.11n Wi-Fi Direct Guest Access Bluetooth 5.0 Ultra-Wideband chip for device proximity |
| Accessibility features | Siri Touch Accommodation VoiceOver Home app and HomeKit Intercom transcriptions |
| Color Finish | White, Space Gray |
Apple HomePod mini Price in Nepal, Availability
Apple HomePod mini was introduced with a price tag of $99. You can pre-order starting from November 6 and will start shipping from November 16. The device might launch in December in Nepal, and we expect it to bear a price tag of NPR 15,000 approximately.
| Apple Accessories | Price in Nepal [Expected] |
| Apple HomePod mini | NPR 15,000 |
