Apple launches HomePod Mini 2 and Apple TV 4K with Siri AI, upgrades home theatre experience
Apple wants its living room products to do more than play music or stream shows. Alongside the all-new HomeView, the company has launched the HomePod Mini 2 and a new Apple TV 4K, with Siri AI coming to both and a new four-speaker surround sound setup that brings them together. The idea is to make the Apple TV the centre of home entertainment, with HomePod speakers handling the sound and Siri making it easier to find content and control connected devices.
The two products have different audiences though. HomePod Mini 2 is a relatively affordable entry into Apple’s smart home ecosystem, while the new Apple TV 4K is a more expensive upgrade for those who want better performance and a more integrated home theatre.
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Apple HomePod Mini 2 features
The Apple HomePod Mini 2 retains its compact design but comes in five colours: pink, green, blue, white and midnight. It costs Rs 18,900 and uses Apple’s S10 chip to optimise sound in real time. Users can pair two speakers for stereo sound or spread them across rooms for multiroom audio.
One new addition is Sound Glow, which makes the top of the speaker pulse with colours that respond to the music, including effects inspired by the currently playing song’s album artwork. It’s a small visual touch, but gives the speaker something beyond sound and voice control to offer.
Siri AI is the bigger change, although it will arrive in a future software update. Apple says it will enable more natural conversations, better music discovery and access to personal context when paired with a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad. HomePod mini 2 can recognise up to six people by their voice, while its smart home features include voice-controlled automations and alerts when it detects smoke or carbon monoxide alarm sounds.
Apple TV 4K features
The new Apple TV 4K gets an A19 chip, which Apple claims delivers up to 50 percent faster CPU performance and twice the GPU performance of the previous generation. It also adds a dedicated AV1 decoder for more efficient streaming. The Siri Remote gains Find My support with Precision Finding, addressing the familiar problem of misplacing the remote between sofas.
Siri AI gets a more visible role here as well, with a full-screen interface for finding shows and films, displaying relevant suggestions and answering follow-up questions while something is playing. Three far-field microphones also allow users to talk to Siri without picking up the remote.
The more interesting upgrade is the home theatre setup. For the first time, Apple TV 4K can work with four HomePod Mini 2 speakers to create surround sound, automatically adjusting audio timing and levels based on where the speakers are placed. It also works as a smart home hub, with Wi-Fi, Thread and support for compatible cameras and automations.
Apple HomePod Mini 2 and Apple TV 4K price in India, availability
HomePod Mini 2 costs Rs 18,900 in India and is available to pre-order in pink, green, blue, white and midnight with sales beginning October 30th. The new Apple TV 4K costs Rs 39,900, with pre-orders open and sales starting November 13th.
HomePod Mini 2 is the more accessible option for those who want a compact speaker and smart home controls. The Apple TV 4K makes more sense for people who stream regularly and want a more integrated entertainment setup. The four-speaker surround sound feature is a useful addition, but it also means spending on four speakers alongside the TV box. Those who already own a soundbar or a capable home theatre system may find less reason to upgrade, while existing Apple users looking to build their setup from scratch have more to gain.
