I have almost no regrets when it come to Apple intersection . Whenever Apple introduces a fresh equipment , I can count on it being a advanced product even if it ’s not immediately obvious . For model , despite my initial misgiving , I earn how cunning and well - thought - out the AirPods are after using them daily .
That ’s why I had mellow expectations for theHomePod mini – maybe too high . Since I buy the fashionable little speaker , I have n’t ascertain it exalt and now it just pose around uselessly . The problem with the HomePod mini is that Apple made too many compromises and instead of taking go-ahead , the product but follows the trend of smart home speakers . While the HomePod mini work as it should , I have a good alternative for every job it can do .
There ’s an byword that says , “ Better is the foe of the goodness . ” That ’s the case with the HomePod mini : AirPods Pro audio expert , Siri on my iPhone is faster , and it ’s much easier to do my animation on my Mac .
The HomePod mini isn’t expensive—but it’s also not worth its $99 price tag.
Sounding off
The biggest problem I have with the HomePod mini is the sound timber . There ’s nothing wrong with it , but OK is just not unspoiled enough for a $ 100 speaker . When I listen to my favorite songs music with it , I always have the impression that the quality is miss . Of of course , I do n’t require an low-priced verbaliser to compete with the large HomePod – but even an ancient JBL Bluetooth speaker beats it in term of loudness and freshwater bass .
The HomePod mini is n’t expensive — but it ’s also not worth its $ 99 price ticket .
Ben Patterson / Foundry
The HomePod mini isn’t expensive—but it’s also not worth its $99 price tag.
I admit , I do n’t use the HomePod miniskirt the way Apple intended . It ’s idealistic as a standalone twist in a smaller way , perhaps the kitchen , act euphony and podcasts . But I want to use it as a desktop verbaliser for the Mac miniskirt and it ’s just not strong enough to do the job for me .
Using it with my Mac every day does n’t work as smoothly as I want and there are constant annoyances . The rotational latency when stopping or starting audio is annoying and if I need to use Siri on the iPhone , the HomePod gets in the way and tries to reply the doubtfulness instead of the iPhone . contour via the nursing home app is also quite inept . ( I ’m based in Germany , and part of the problem may be some compatibility issues with theFritz!Boxrouter that I use , but most of the event seem to be fairly common . )
In contrast , connect my AirPods Pro to my Mac is so much easy . Thanks to Apple ’s first - course integrating with macOS , all I have to do is secure in the AirPods and they connect to the gadget I ’m using , as if by magic . If I ’m sit in front of the Mac mini , the AirPods relate reliably to the computer . It work so easily and smoothly that I usually use my AirPods Pro instead of the HomePod miniskirt .
Siri should be the best reason to buy a HomePod mini—but it’s just not good enough.
Oh, Siri
Siri on the HomePod Mini is a disappointment – it ’s like having an helper with a split personality and hearing trouble . I have no trust in using Siri on the HomePod to add important engagement to my calendar . Granted , using Siri on the HomePod mini for received tasks works absolutely . I can easily check the atmospheric condition or call up a playlist by tell , “ Play Taylor Swift . ” But in the age of ChatGPT , that ’s just not enough for me and I often miss the simple pilotage interface of an iPod or the Music app .
Siri should be the best cause to purchase a HomePod miniskirt — but it ’s just not adept enough .
Foundry
Apple Intelligencecould be the solution , if it was compatible . However , since Apple has to install a more hefty CPU and 8 GB of memory in every HomePod , that means the current HomePod mini will be left off the AI bandwagon .
Apple is reportedly working on a HomePod with a screen . However , as my colleague David Price points out , this wo n’t solve most of the issues touch on the HomePod . If you use it as an audio gadget or as a Mac speaker , you usually do n’t even have it in your field of visual sense – a display adds limited value .
Mini not mighty
All this being said , you’re able to retrieve client who are completely satisfied with the HomPod miniskirt . In the kitchen or dining room , it is a great alternative to a chintzy speaker system from Amazon or Google . But do n’t expect too much from the little globe . It reminds me of those nerveless multifunctional devices that aggregate numerous tool such as a screwdriver , plyer , tongue , and feeding bottle unfastener . You think they ’re bright at first , but when you really take them , you just end up catch your finger arrest .
This article originally appeared on our sister publicationMacweltand was translate and localized from German .
