Apple - HomePod mini - White

I had my smart home running with Google assistant before. I switch to Home pod mini looking for the security features that comes with Apple OS and the integration with my others apple devices. I have to say that in that purpose works very well. I really enjoy how you can extend you iPhone messages, calls, etc to the home minis. I like how the music sounds on it, but, I miss some features that I had when I used Google assistant such as: Siri stop to hearing you after your request, then you have to repeat Hey Siri many times. When you have your hands busy and ask Siri something, the answers are sent to your iPhone, instead to be told to you as you was expecting. You can only use Apple Music with them, no Spotify or Youtube, or other app. I really hope Apple continues improving the software and add this capabilities.

Having purchased a pair of Home Pods on on launch day from Best Buy (at the $349 price) I've been a long-time fan of the smart speaker category. It wasn't long before my Google Home and Amazon Echos became paperweights. This HomePod mini at a $99 price point makes for the perfect stocking stuffer or even primary gift. In fact it does some things even better than the original. Sound quality is amazing, particular when paired with another for left/right Stereo. Even solo, they produce surprisingly full volume from a small sphere. Siri still trails the other smart assistance, and sends me to my phone more than I care to admit, but the utility of these are amazing. Adding them to rooms in your house makes your abode that much more accessible. Also cool is the ability to schedule or add events to play specific music or playlist based on a trigger (Wake up event, bed time chime, sunrise, sunset, etc. ). We used an Eve outlet to turn on Christmas tree, so "Siri, Christmas time" turned it on, dimmed other (Lutron Caseta) lights, and started playing Christmas Music throughout the house. My wife and I purchased a dozen of these between BB and Apple, mostly as gifts. The responses have been overwhelmingly positive, especially among those who's only other Apple device is an iPhone, thus making this an excellent gateway entry expanding usage on the ecosystem. The new to iOS 14 feature for HomePod mini has to be the INTERCOM. With it you can use your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or other HomePod to communicate with Mini's in other rooms. "Hey Siri, intercom, We're starting the movie", or "has anyone taken the dogs out?". Your voice is then played either through the HomePods and mini's in every room, specific rooms, or just a floor (based on the room and floor you select upon setup) Family members then "reply, I did, got it" or whatever. This sure beats the 70s built-in wall units of yesteryear. Additionally the new Mini sports Thread Mesh Networking protocol, so the more Thread devices you add, the more redundant, and wider your mesh network becomes. We're also starting to see other manufactures support Thread, namely $20 Nanoleaf interactive color light bulbs. PROS +compact cute WAF wife-acceptance factor +surprising sound quality +cool factor adds tech to every room +Whole-house (floor, or room) Intercom is great +Thread Mesh Networking future proofs expanded functionality +magic price point +Apple Music and playlist integration CONS -only big brother model sports Dolby Atmos -would love to see a $179 / 2-pack for stereo CONCLUSION This product might be one of Apple's more successful sleeper hits, if the Reddit /Homepod forum is to be believed. Countless new users RAVE about sound quality, and then are later ingratiated with other features they didn't know it could do. Recommend : BUY !!

This was a Christmas Gift for my husband who is visually impaired and he loves it. By using the voice commands it allows him to listen to podcasts and music anytime he would like without having help from family members. The sound is clearer than Google Home Mini and makes listening to music more enjoyable.

This HomePod Mini is perfect for my small office. I have the Razer Nommo Chroma speakers but connectivity to multiple machines has been a pain. That’s where this little beauty comes in. Seamless transfer of my music from listening in the car to coming home by hovering my phone over it. I have less reliance on Bluetooth, which in a room of 4 computers, two tablets, a wifi station and Wireless headsets it’s definitely needed as I was getting a lot of interference. Siri can hear me even when the music is loud and I like the ambient noises that can play any time. I look forward to getting another so I can put them in stereo mode! As it is, the sound quality is amazing with decent bass!

I’ve been using Apple products for a good portion of my life. My first college computer was an iMac. About a year ago, I finally made the transition from Android to iOS. From there, I’ve slowly integrated myself into the Apple ecosystem. As an I.T. Technician, I personally enjoy utilizing home automation. However, the cheaper cost of the Google devices lead me to build around them. With increasing security concerns with the likes of Google and Amazon, this HomePod Mini couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only does it sound amazing for its size, it is the perfect product to begin the transition to Apple’s HomeKit. If you are someone dedicated to using Apple devices and are on a budget, like myself. I can’t recommend the Apple HomePod Mini enough.

It's time for an upgrade and had seen the HomePod Mini but didn't think much of it. I have speakers built in my TV but began to think I'd like a better sound and after seeing how it works with my current apple it was a good deal. I decided to place it near my couch and I use it for my TV and to play the sound of my laptop and phone. It sounds great and am considering buying another one for my bedroom. It's priced nicely and takes up so much less space than my old soundbar!

Packs a lot of sound for an small speaker love the seamless compatibly with my apple devices, I can listen to podcasts or music, Youre not hindered to the HomePod you can still browse and use other apps like tiktok or something on your phone while your music plays on your HomePod only issue which I believe should be fixed with an update, is that it gets hung up sometimes when transitioning between the device speaker and HomePod when I’m using an app like Apple Music or pandora, have not used any HomeKit features as of yet; I would say if you can, get two speakers it takes up the whole room well worth it

Realistically I would give this like a 4.5 star review. Its not perfect, "Alexa" and "hey google" are probably better androids and the price for the home pod mini is higher than the similar sized product from amazon and google. But in the end, this is a beautiful, clean, reliable and secure device that sounds SIGNIFICANTLY better than the Google home mini and echo dot, like its not even close. I plan to get a couple more and would like to hear how much better stereo pairing the music would be. It doesn't bother me that Siri isn't as smart as the others, but it for sure is the safest and most secure at protecting your privacy. my only dock on this would be the price vs its direct competitors, but to me, the quality and sound more than make up for it. Especially as your turn up the volume, it still sounds great and doesn't dilute like the competitors. I'm also impressed at how lightly I can say "Hey Siri" when the music is loud and she will still hear me. I'm impressed.