HomePod Mini Review - 6 Months Later
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- Опубліковано 2 чер 2024
- Long term review of the Apple HomePod Mini, the top features, downsides to using it and our recommendation on who should buy the HomePod Mini.
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0:00 Intro
0:28 Setup & Design
1:22 Sound quality
1:51 Stereo Pair
1:56 AirPlay
2:24 Music transfer
3:02 Speaker groups
3:18 Speaker controls
3:37 Siri capabilities
4:15 Siri response time
4:37 Phone call and text message support
5:05 Intercom feature
5:28 Music service availability
5:58 AirTag support
6:12 No mute button
6:46 What the HomePod mini can do
7:14 Recommendation
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Siberian Summer
by Sunnyfruit
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#Apple
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**Update** We've been able to get AirTags to work with the HomePod Mini after upgrading the iPhone's software to 14.6 and has worked reliably for many months now.
Unfortunately no, Spotify is still not available to play natively from the speaker.
i remember in the homepod mini unveiling they mentioned future amazon music support, has it happened yet?
@Atomic Turtle Spotify recently said they will not be working on air play 2 in the near future, so that’s a RIP. Like the guy said, if you want apple stuff (other than a single thing), full send and stay in their walled garden. That’s what I will be doing. No google stuff, no amazon stuff, only apply stuff
@@berengerchristy6256 honestly I don’t mind Apple Music is so much better with quality etc
@@6MonthsLater Still no update on this?
Can’t deny - this video was well done and worth my time.
Glad you found it useful!
your eloquence and exactitude as well as an amazing amount of non-biased review was what earned my like+sub. Cheers good sir
Great video on the HomePod mini! Love these little spheres of magic. I hope, for others, that Spotify is added but I use Apple Music. I am ALL in on the Apple ecosystem and Homekit. 👌🏼 Very thorough review!
Such a clear and concise video, and thank you for getting straight to the point. I love my stereo HomePod Minis and this was a really well done review!
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback!
The color spectrum in your background is superb!
You can intercom to the original HomePod as well just FYI since you said specifically ‘another HomePod Mini’
looking into getting a couple as a speaker system for my tv. at this point my only concerns are whether i'll be disturbing my roommates and which color i should get
Amazing video Josh!!!
Good clear content, informational without being to long, and most importantly not serving a paid ad every couple of minutes. Thank you.
4⁶8
Charming chap! Well done...don't some of the newer TV's allow the Mini's to be the default speaker? thx.
it blows my mind how good the sound is on this tiny little speaker. we've bought three of them for our condo.
If you think this is good, wait til you try a proper bookshelf speaker
@@RexNathanChan Don't be that guy. 💩 I'm sure he's heard other speakers.
@@oldcountryman2795 oh hello, look at you being all condescending...I have basic bookshelf speakers (Monitor Audio BX2) that sound way nicer. SO the HomePod Mini is acceptable for radio, it's nothing compared to a basic 2ch stereo setup (which isn't even that expensive these days). But I agree, for a compact speaker, it sounds ok. Just make sure its at/above ear level, it sounds worse when positioned lower.
@@Nala_1230 I'm just being realistic. They're shit compared to real bookshelf speakers. It would be a shame if someone read these comments and wasted money thinking it gives good sound. It sounds ok, and with all the tech, for $100AUD, its an ok product. Just don't hype it so much.
Great review. Very useful. Worth watching
I’ve seen others talking about the mute function. They said that if you cover HomePod mini with your hands( as such you do with Apple Watch) it can be silenced.
Wondering if it works?🤔
Great video !! Planning to buy one 😊
Are you able to play Pandora on the speaker but use your phone to listen to podcast? Like I do with the Amazon echo dot.
Would have liked to see your tips on cleaning it. It's a dust collector and I've no idea of the best way to keep it clean. Also what is the best stand you can get for it?
Great review thank you! Quick question to you or any other users here: Does it interact with familiy Apple calendar? I would mainly use it to ask siri about upcoming familiy events, soccer, swimming, birthdays and to add calendar reminders. How does it fare? Thank you in advance!
your videos are so good man💥
Question: can you pair a mini with an original HomePod or original HomePod existing stereo pair?
My HomePod mini is my little and great love, i bought a days ago..💝
I recently got a HomePod and I’m not disappointed
One question can you look up things online and ask it things like you can google mini?
I’m not a music blarer, but I do like being able to ask “ google” stuff without a screen and be able to call people etc.
Can you compare it with Sonos roam? I can't decide which to buy. Sonos has battery so it can be used in the field over Bluetooth but also supports AirPlay. It's also waterproof and I can take it to the pool which I take my kid to at least twice a week. But Homepod mini can intercom which is a huge deal in a large house and it's price is 2.5 times better if you get it in eBay. Homepod doesn't speak Russian and I already own a pair of Homepod Max to use it with Apple TV
Left out it supports threading and can be a hub for home kit that’s a main reason in itself to consider
I do like them very much, I have 4 now so it's great to be able to play music, control lights and other tasks throughout my home. However, although I did get my Bose bluetooth soundbar to play music with the homepods on my first day, I haven't been able to do it since then. It shows up in the list of airplay devices but when I tap it, it stops playing music on the homepods. Thanks for this review, I agree with everything (except the part about 3rd party speakers)
Brilliant video!
I’ve been using google nest hub for the past 3 years. I’m definitely getting a HomePod!! Google lags way to much. Plus most my devices are apple. Thanks for the review
Don't you find the sound delay while playing music or streaming content from Mac?
nice video Josh!!
Works good , only thing that’s been annoying is that when you ask Siri to play a song she sometimes says sorry something went wrong with Apple Music , or sorry I can’t seem to find it in ur apple library
I picked one up last week and the audio is phenomenal! Best $99 I ever spent. Can’t wait to pick up a pair of HomePod 2 speakers for my Apple TV. ❤❤❤
Just got it yesterday. I don’t know if this is the current firmware version or not but audio handoff doesn’t work most of the time. That’s really annoying
I ask Siri for the weather everyday, and I love that it plays UA-cam music. Easy to use .
Can you add multiple brand cameras? I’ve got an arlo hub but want to run some seperate Cheaper wifi cameras
Thread is the primary benefit for me. I switched from Wifi and bluetooth smart devices to solely thread devices in a crowded apartment and the difference in latency and responsiveness is night and day. I don't know why Apple doesn't mention this feature more prominently on the product page.
Like yeah Apple 🍏 should be like Bluetooth sucks
I wonder why Apple isn't mentioned anywhere on the certified thread page but Google Nest home Max and Nest Wi-Fi are among many other products.
What is thread
Smart home wireless standard that basically acts as a mesh network for all of your smart devices. Here’s a video we did about smart homes that dives into Thread and Matter a bit further: ua-cam.com/video/TTpkECCNAPg/v-deo.html
Can u connect Mac/iPhone and have either one play directly to Mini without having to select anything?
My OG HomePod is the goat. The bass is very filling and the audio when it’s 100% is amazing. Idk how I’ll feel about the mini
Is that the one that is no longer available for purchase? I am a novice in this category but last time I visited the Apple Store the original was not available. Just curious!
@@javtimestwo yeah, as of right now there is only 2 HomePods ever released, the og and the mini. I have the 2 og HomePods
like the features, setup was difficult for some of my devices (August Door lock, ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxhB5YOMNj04GuoAosExygP4cH-dKeb4aB Bose speaker)... but all switches and outlets (5), thermostat, tankless water heater. Unfortunately all I can do is turn on/off Bose. It doesn't support volume or changing channels, but I believe that is due to the particular speaker I have.... Worth getting if you already have other devices to use it with... I don't sit around and ask Alexa questions much so that doesn't really matter to me....
Interesting - I ping my AirTags all the time from my OG HomePod.
I was about to purchase but the not compatible with Spotify was a dealbreaker for me
I can transfer music and calls using my iPhone 7. Apparently, if your phone supports Apple Pay, you can transfer and use NFC tags - haven’t got any of those yet.
Can we use homepod mini with ipad pto 11inches?
Great review!!!!!
Thank you!
I am a little late to be honest but a quick question. If we ignore the smart features of the device, if I decide to use it as a speaker while watching a movie from my Mac does the airplay work normally? If I decide to listen to music from youtube louder and use it as a simple bluetooth speaker, will it work or it only understands Apple music?
You’re quite right of course, I looked at quite a few reviews before purchasing one and yeah I suppose the only problem I have is with how do you say a mute button if you’re playing music fairly loudly, you have to yell at Suri it’s quite funny it sounds funny from listeners point of view. I only use mine in the bedroom I have a spare have a pair and I think they’re pretty good however what’s no mute switch it’s quite simple really the power switch is next to my bed - I simply Ri’chard end the PowerPoint off.
Can you set these up with a macbook or iPad? We don't use iPhone, but considering one to control the house on iPad and macbook through the home app. Along with some podcasts etc via airplay.
Yes! You should be able to use the home app to do it on either device, though I’d try using the iPad first. - Josh
I have a Amazon dot speaker is it worth updating to this mini speaker
Do you think the iPad air 4 is worth it in 2021for 527 USD BTW my bday is coming up so pls tell
Great review. Thank you.
You’re welcome!!
For the tap the iPhone on top of the HomePod mini can I work with the iPod touch 7 gen?
i brought myself one as a early christmas gift and i love it best 150 dollars i have spent
I airplay videos like this one to my sonos speakers and it often takes about 30 seconds for the sound to start and I miss the beginning of the video, is there a delay like this when you start airplay to a HomePod Mini?
Sometimes there is a slow delay, i think its like 4-5 seconds for me
Ok, bass is not the best but for such a small speaker system,
it's quite remarkable. And the stereo separation is the best I have ever heard.
Love my mini balls!
I like the sound mine make - but - they're very slow to switch sound to - sometimes takes a minute or more to find the speaker that's 6 inches away from the phone. Sound drops out. Stereo pairing is problematic and unreliable. Insufficient bass. Speaker either seems to be at conversation interrupting levels of volume, or not quite loud enough. Media continues to play after the phone has changed to a different song, often times requiring the speakers to be restarted and repaired to regain control.
Mostly a nice idea, with not quite enough polish.
They make pretty good desktop speakers for your Mac or iPad!
Yea but you can’t use a paired set on the Mac, which is annoying
@@ForsakenFenix I doubt that
@@pemudabergairah
Doubt what?
I have 2 minis in stereo pair and it won’t let me use them in stereo on my MacBook or Mac mini. My iPhone and iPad I can.
I can select one or the other.
Hoping for a update soon
It’s too bad Apple did not just update the bigger HomePod to include the stuff from the HomePod Mini as I had the big HomePod and loved it only sold it as it was too bass heavy for my Apartment I was living in at the time I got the smaller HomePod Minis for a smaller space living
I already have an amazon Alexa…is it worth getting this device? I am heavily invested in the ecosystem with phone, iPad and computer plus Apple Watch.
Depends on which Alexa devices you have and what you use Alexa for. If you just do basic smart speaker stuff it might be worth it to you sincere there’s a lot of integration with it and the broader Apple Ecosystem.
Pausing the video at 0:31 just to subscribe and comment purely based on the fact that within this time he has told if the homepad is recommended or not. I salute you my friend. Thank you. !!!
Glad you liked that touch. We try to keep things moving 😊. I can’t stand it when it feels like reviewers are trying to make things longer than necessary. Something we’re always working on. - Josh
I bought two HomePod mini, February 2022. Set up both on my iPhone 13, iOS 15.5 version. Both doing fine. Around 15/4/22 one of my HomePod mini STOPED SPEAKERS. Then a reset, but after I CANT Setup, message “Failed (-6753)”. I’ve tried everything: reset factory HomePod mini, reset with my iPhone, reset with MacBook Pro 2018, and downgrade to iOS 15.4.1. HomePod mini version SO is 15.4.1. The other HomePod mini still working very fine.
SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE?
the music transfer dies work in my iphone xs too. so mit only ohne the 11 and 12
Two HomePod mini with Spatial Audio it’s possible ?
Man now I want one
Thank you bro for saving my money
Is handoff available for Spotify yet?
Do other people manage to get TuneIn to work with HomePods? I can’t. I also cannot add radio stations to the Music app. Help?
Can zoom or what's app call from IPhone can be routed through home pod
Yes. I to Teams on mine
it does connect with Laptop too right??
I love mine in stereo off of my Mac Mini. But I have to keep choosing the pair over and over when the MacMini sleeps. Often I have to reboot the computer while watching videos as the sound and actors lips don’t synch with the sound. Sigh.
How good is the bass when used as a stereo pair?
I have a stereo pair and the bass is there but it’s not much difference than that of a single hp minis bass. Three speakers are more crisp and crystal clear (highs ,mid range treble) than punchy bass . It’s definitely nice room filling sound but if it’s bass your after maybe pick up a portable Bluetooth speaker on the side. I just added a charge 5 to my bedroom and the bass is phenomenal
Good review
Where HomPod fails is as a speaker for a Mac. It connects sometimes, but it's a poor connection which loses itself easily. This is a huge oversight as this is why I bought it. As for Siri, you have been far too kind. Half the time it is unable to do something more than twice in a row. I have 5 HomePods, big and small, but the only thing I find them really good for is Dolby Atmos for my AppleTV. The Homepod represents an epic fail by Apple. Have you ever tried troubleshooting. Apple will have you restarting your router, turning off any other wifi enabled devices, turning them all back on again. My router works fine, it's these lousy speakers that are at fault.
I have trouble connecting 2 devices (phone and ipad) and i hate how its not wireless
we never talk about the craziness of when you have more than one apple device in a room and you ask siri to do something they all answer, or you ask your Homepod mini to play your playlist then your phone does the same and of course a different song then the one from your homepod mini
I haven't seen that design since the early 60s but it was a candle.
They are good however stereo pair is a disaster, drop outs, echoing, poor recognition, stop playing midsong completely. I also find it weird that you found the response time to be good, in my tests the echo had a faster response time and lower error rate as well and better ability to actually start playing the correct song and correct versions of the song I asked for. I got echo 4th gen and paired them (only works after firmware update on both and update your alexa app on mobile) and zero of these issues.
Can it connect to an Apple TV & be used as surround sound with a tv?
You can connect them now yes, but I believe its just for a stereo setup
I just bought one earlier today. I still need to get to using it tho lmao I hate how u gave to be on the same Wi-Fi. But sounds good.
I have 3 gripes with Homepod.
1) Google being a dick and not adding support for Homepod.
2) Being able to tell it to autopatically group with my other Airplay speakers. Would be awesome if I could tell it to play something and then it would play it on every speaker available.
3) not being able to Airplay a movie to the TV and have sound airplayed to Homepod. (I'm talking a Smart TV and not apple TV since I know that functionality is comming)
Regarding number 2: you can do this in the Home app by creating a “scene.” Then you can use Siri, or one tap in control center, to activate it!
Apple was insane for getting rid of the big HomePod. Those things sounded absolutely incredible.
A couple of weeks ago I read that everyone is losing money on these personal assistances. Sounded like the big HomePod was a casualty of cost control.
@@insertwittymonikerhere sounds like it would be an investment to have tap every ones houses. CIA wet dream.
No Bluetooth option? I find AirPlay to be a pain when using it from a source that is connected to the internet via WiFi
tbh I think airplay’s better because when you open a UA-cam video or play a video on Facebook or Instagram your music instantly gets cut off on Bluetooth.. airplay it’s doesnt which is one of my fav things about the HomePod mini
You lowkey look like the guy that played in the show Saved By The Bell
Great review! I would never trust a software mute switch.
That's why I'm also not a huge fan of Android 12 new Cam and Mic mute toggles...
it is better than nothing, even though they may mean nothing lol
@@danw9773 😅
Hi, finale got my set. Apple decided not to see them in Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg. So were stuck with a English Siri :-)
I have a problem with Siri, she/he speaks so soft that I nearly have tp put my ear on the speakers yo hear her/him. When I put the sound up, only the music will go louder, not Siri? You happend to know how I get the volume of the Siri voice higher? Would be grateful :-)
Try asking Siri to raise it's voice or when Siri is active, adjust the volume on the speaker and it should make Siri louder.
Anybody else having some AirPlay issues like stuttering and randomly muting for 5 seconds or so after every 40 seconds? Or did I buy a faulty unit?
Thank you for the great video, son of Commander Data 😊
What’s your laptop in this video I kind a like it and im thinking to buy one ..
M1 MacBook Pro 13 inch
HomePod is king if you can find one get one. House for sure HomePod apt or small space mini all day. Love both have 7 of them 3 mini 4 homepods
They are super easy to get. My local best buy had some and I ordered more off Apple's website and got them the next day.
home pod mini and others are not available in thailand strange he ?
Control smart home devices ??? What are you taking about? What devices are compatible with that thing ? I Haven't seen any with siri support
Phillips hue, August Smart Lock, any AirPlay 2 device like a Sonos speaker or high end Onkyo receiver etc. There are also now cameras and thermostats with HomeKit support as well.
You should be able to find your AirTag items now. I did it the other the day
Does the HomePod mini have to be connected to Wifi to play music via your phone??
Yes, there’s no Bluetooth option.
About the airtag, they work 👀
Ive been a HomePod user for 3 years now, and the sound quality alone on them is enough to buy one. I really hope apple replace it with this apparently upcoming HomePod Home or whatever its going to be called. you can still get 3 Minis for the price of 1 HomePod when it launched, and pairing those up will provide a really good sound for sure, but the bass on the full-size HomePod is nothing short of amazing.
I have the minis and was thinking of getting the larger HomePod because of the deeper bass. I saw a comment though that said the bass was actually too much and overpowered the treble and made those notes almost disappear basically. Since you have one, do you mind me asking your opinion on it?
@@royhoequist8846 HomePod's definitely fill the room with sound given its Mono, but for the price, you can buy nearly 3 minis for the price of 1 HomePod. You're better off buying 2 mini's and creating a stereo pair through the Home App. The sound is incredible through them.
@@Olliebobalong Thank you for the response. I really appreciate it. I have one mini now and the other one will be here tomorrow, so I’ll definitely do what you suggested. I think I may get a third then also for another room or something. Thanks again for the help and advice.
Hello, is there any way to customize the sound via an EQ? I’m currently in a Sonos ecosystem and their app offers a lot of customization including an EQ. I’m thinking of adding one or two of these as “filler” speakers
Excelente áudio in this video
Siri on my iPhone can call up music on Spotify . So it definitely doesn’t work on the HomePod mini?
Nope, when asking to play something on Spotify it comes back: "the app hasn't added support for that yet."
that's because the iphone has the app installed, so it can just send a request to the app. being as the homepod mini has to ping a server to play music, it requires some extra setup on spotify's end which they haven't added yet. plus, spotify and apple are kind of stuck in a cold war right now, so there are some tech politics at play that i'm sure are delaying compatibility.
@@cunty This is the main reason why I am not buying homepods (yet). Without full Spotify support I am out.
@@cunty I see, this makes sense thanks
I see no mention of the regular wi-fi drop outs so frequently mentioned by owners including myself. This has been the biggest downside to an otherwise great product.
Never experienced that with either of our devices. Will look into that issue more.
Happens to me all the time it’s so annoying
+1
They have fixed that, no more drop outs for months.
Well, fix your Wi-Fi
Think there is another downside that you can't use it without a wifi right?
But my question is can you not use a hotspot to overcome that problem?
does homepod mini now works on youtube music ??
Unfortunately no, both Spotify and UA-cam Music are not supported on it natively at this time.
Hey, is spotify compatible yet?
Not natively