I’ve virtually no regrets on the subject of Apple merchandise. Each time Apple introduces a brand new machine, I can rely 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 trendy 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 a substitute of taking initiative, the product merely follows the pattern of good residence audio system. Whereas the HomePod mini works because it ought to, I’ve a greater different for each activity it could actually carry out.
There’s an adage that claims, “Better is the enemy of the good.” 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 drawback I’ve with the HomePod mini is the sound high quality. There’s nothing fallacious with it, however OK is simply not ok for a $100 speaker. Once I take heed to my favourite songs music with it, I at all times have the impression that the standard is missing. After all, I don’t anticipate an reasonably priced speaker to compete with the massive HomePod–however even an historical JBL Bluetooth speaker beats it by way of quantity and bass.
Ben Patterson/Foundry
I admit, I don’t use the HomePod mini the best way Apple supposed. It’s best as a standalone machine 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 robust sufficient to do the job for me.
Utilizing it with my Mac day by day doesn’t work as easily as I would like 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 a substitute of the iPhone. Configuration by way of the House app can also be fairly cumbersome. (I’m based mostly 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 many of the points appear to be pretty widespread.)
In distinction, connecting my AirPods Professional to my Mac is a lot simpler. Due to Apple’s first-class integration with macOS, all I’ve to do is plug within the AirPods they usually hook up with the machine 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 normally use my AirPods Professional as a substitute of the HomePod mini.
Oh, Siri
Siri on the HomePod Mini is a disappointment–it’s like having an assistant with a break up character and listening to issues. I’ve no confidence in utilizing Siri on the HomePod so as to add vital appointments to my calendar. Granted, utilizing Siri on the HomePod mini for traditional duties works completely. I can simply test 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 straightforward navigation interface of an iPod or the Music app.
Siri ought to be the very best cause to purchase a HomePod mini—but it surely’s simply not ok.
Foundry
Apple Intelligence might be the answer, if it was suitable. Nonetheless, since Apple has to put in a extra highly effective CPU and 8GB of reminiscence in each HomePod, which means the present HomePod mini might be left off the AI bandwagon.
Apple is reportedly engaged on a HomePod with a display. Nonetheless, as my colleague David Value factors out, this gained’t resolve many of the points affecting the HomePod. In case you use it as an audio machine or as a Mac speaker, you normally don’t even have it in your visual field–a show provides restricted worth.
Mini not mighty
All this being mentioned, you’ll find clients who’re utterly happy with the HomPod mini. Within the kitchen or eating room, it’s a nice different to an affordable speaker from Amazon or Google. However don’t anticipate an excessive amount of from the small orb. It jogs my memory of these cool multifunctional gadgets that mix quite a few instruments reminiscent of a screwdriver, pliers, knife, and bottle opener. You suppose they’re good at first, however when you really want 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.