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I’ve virtually no regrets in relation to Apple merchandise. Every time Apple introduces a brand new gadget, I can depend on it being a complicated product even when it’s not instantly apparent. For instance, regardless of my preliminary misgivings, I noticed how ingenious and well-thought-out the AirPods are after utilizing them each day.
That’s why I had excessive expectations for the HomePod mini–possibly too excessive. Since I purchased the fashionable little speaker, I haven’t discovered it inspiring and now it simply sits round uselessly. The issue with the HomePod mini is that Apple made too many compromises and as an alternative of taking initiative, the product merely follows the development of sensible dwelling audio system. Whereas the HomePod mini works because it ought to, I’ve a greater various for each activity it might carry out.
There’s an adage that claims, “Higher is the enemy of the great.” That’s the case with the HomePod mini: AirPods Professional sound higher, Siri on my iPhone is quicker, and it’s a lot simpler to handle my life on my Mac.
Sounding off
The most important downside I’ve with the HomePod mini is the sound high quality. There’s nothing fallacious with it, however OK is simply not adequate for a $100 speaker. Once I hearken to my favourite songs music with it, I all the time have the impression that the standard is missing. In fact, I don’t count on an inexpensive speaker to compete with the big HomePod–however even an historic JBL Bluetooth speaker beats it when it comes to quantity and bass.
The HomePod mini isn’t costly—but it surely’s additionally not value its $99 price ticket.
The HomePod mini isn’t costly—but it surely’s additionally not value its $99 price ticket.
Ben Patterson/Foundry
The HomePod mini isn’t costly—but it surely’s additionally not value its $99 price ticket.
Ben Patterson/Foundry
Ben Patterson/Foundry
I admit, I don’t use the HomePod mini the best way Apple meant. It’s ultimate as a standalone gadget in a smaller room, maybe the kitchen, enjoying music and podcasts. However I wish to use it as a desktop speaker for the Mac mini and it’s simply not sturdy sufficient to do the job for me.
Utilizing it with my Mac daily doesn’t work as easily as I need and there are fixed annoyances. The latency when stopping or beginning audio is annoying and if I wish to use Siri on the iPhone, the HomePod will get in the best way and tries to reply the query as an alternative of the iPhone. Configuration through the House app can be fairly cumbersome. (I’m primarily based in Germany, and a part of the issue could also be some compatibility points with the Fritz!Field router that I take advantage of, however a lot of the points appear to be pretty widespread.)
In distinction, connecting my AirPods Professional to my Mac is a lot simpler. Because of Apple’s first-class integration with macOS, all I’ve to do is plug within the AirPods they usually connect with the gadget I’m utilizing, as if by magic. If I’m sitting in entrance of the Mac mini, the AirPods join reliably to the pc. It really works so simply and easily that I often use my AirPods Professional as an alternative of the HomePod mini.
Oh, Siri
Siri on the HomePod Mini is a disappointment–it’s like having an assistant with a cut up character and listening to issues. I’ve no confidence in utilizing Siri on the HomePod so as to add necessary appointments to my calendar. Granted, utilizing Siri on the HomePod mini for normal duties works completely. I can simply verify the climate or name up a playlist by saying, “Play Taylor Swift.” However within the age of ChatGPT, that’s simply not sufficient for me and I typically miss the easy navigation interface of an iPod or the Music app.
Siri ought to be the most effective purpose to purchase a HomePod mini—but it surely’s simply not adequate.
Siri ought to be the most effective purpose to purchase a HomePod mini—but it surely’s simply not adequate.
Foundry
Siri ought to be the most effective purpose to purchase a HomePod mini—but it surely’s simply not adequate.
Foundry
Foundry
Apple Intelligence could possibly be the answer, if it was appropriate. Nonetheless, since Apple has to put in a extra highly effective CPU and 8GB of reminiscence in each HomePod, meaning the present HomePod mini shall be left off the AI bandwagon.
Apple is reportedly engaged on a HomePod with a display screen. Nonetheless, as my colleague David Worth factors out, this gained’t resolve a lot of the points affecting the HomePod. Should you use it as an audio gadget or as a Mac speaker, you often don’t even have it in your visual view–a show provides restricted worth.
Mini not mighty
All this being mentioned, yow will discover prospects who’re fully happy with the HomPod mini. Within the kitchen or eating room, it’s a nice various to an affordable speaker from Amazon or Google. However don’t count on an excessive amount of from the small orb. It jogs my memory of these cool multifunctional gadgets that mix quite a few instruments similar to a screwdriver, pliers, knife, and bottle opener. You assume they’re good at first, however when you actually need them, you simply find yourself getting your fingers caught.
This text initially appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.
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