Apple unveils $149 HomePod mini 2 with Siri AI and four-speaker surround sound

Apple announced the HomePod mini 2, a compact speaker with an S10 chip, Siri AI and updated audio features. It goes on sale October 30 for $149, with pre-orders already open.

The speaker comes in pink, green, blue, white and midnight. Apple says the S10 chip adjusts dynamic range, loudness and acoustic performance in real time.

Sound Glow responds to music

Sound Glow turns the speaker’s top into a visual surface that animates with music and reacts to bass and treble. Its colors are generated from each song’s album artwork.

Four speakers create surround sound

Up to four HomePod mini 2 speakers can be paired with the new Apple TV 4K, also announced by Apple, to create four-speaker surround sound. The devices identify their positions in the room and calibrate levels to the space.

The speaker can also be used as a speaker for a Mac.

Siri AI is coming later

Siri AI will be added in a future software update and will work when the HomePod mini 2 is paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad. It will recognize up to six users by voice and connect to their devices for personalized information, including Messages.

Like the previous model, the HomePod mini 2 can serve as a home hub for smart-home devices. Sound Recognition can detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and send an alert.