// ZDNET — INTELLIGENZA ARTIFICIALE
4 upgrades HomePod Mini 2 has over its 6-year-old predecessor
HomePod mini 2 is here, and there are four major upgrades that separate it from the first generation.
Apple’s HomePod Mini 2 is here, and after a six-year hiatus, the company’s smallest home speaker has more features than ever. The HomePod Mini 2 features several upgrades to its internal connectivity tech, enabling new capabilities, including Siri AI, surround sound with Apple TV 4K, and an LED lighting experience that complements its audio output.
Also: Forget Wi-Fi: Apple is betting on Bluetooth with its new home devices
Some things are the same between the HomePod Mini 2 and its six-year-old sibling, however. It still acts as a home hub for your HomeKit-compatible Apple devices, including features such as Sound Recognition to warn you of sounding alarms, smart home management within the Home app, and a small, unassuming design for those low on space.
The HomePod Mini 2 also debuts with deeper integration with Apple-compatible smart home products, including smart doorbells, locks, blinds, thermostats, and sensors. It’s been long enough since Apple released a Mini successor, so if you’re curious how the new one compares to the first generation, here’s the breakdown.
You can finally bring Siri AI into your home through the new HomePod Mini 2. According to Apple, the HomePod Mini 2 is powered by its S10 chip, the same processor found in the Apple Watch Series 10 and Series 11.
Siri AI is available on the HomePod Mini 2 in two ways: without a connected Apple device and when connected to an Apple Intelligence-compatible device. If your iPhone or iPad doesn’t support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, you can still talk to your HomePad Mini 2’s Siri AI for general conversation with deeper knowledge and improved music discovery via conversational prompts.
If your iPhone or iPad supports Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, the HomePod Mini 2 can connect to up to six compatible devices to deliver contextual information. For example, once your iPhone is connected to your HomePod Mini 2, the speaker can access your Messages, Calendar, Reminders, and other apps, completing tasks for you and providing information based on your device’s data.
Apple fitted the HomePod Mini 2 with major upgrades to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The first-generation HomePod Mini was equipped with 802.11n Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 4) and Bluetooth 5. The latest generation features 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) and Bluetooth 6, which are palpable upgrades and exactly what a six-year gap should bring.
Wi-Fi 6E is an extension of Wi-Fi 6, introducing a tri-band frequency spectrum. The addition of a third 6 GHz band means that only Wi-Fi 6E-compatible devices can operate on it, and the HomePod Mini 2 can circumvent congestion on the crowded 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The result is zero interference from older household electronics, including those in your own home and those from neighbors, on the HomePod Mini 2.