Apple's little smart home speaker is growing up.
Analysis: Rebuilding the smart home
On Apple's website, both the HomePod 2 and HomePod mini are listed as having identical smart home powers.standard shows it's making another push for a genuinely compelling, rather than frustratingly fragmented, smart home experience. And its two smart speakers, the HomePod 2 and HomePod mini, are a key part of that plan.
The good news for HomePod mini owners is that, despite launching over two years ago, the speaker has secretly been harboring some smart home talents that will soon be unlocked. Matter is built into Apple's iOS 16, so you can already use a HomePod mini as a Matter smart home controller. And those temperature and humidity sensors will finally get some use, thanks to the arrival of the HomePod 2. The current suggested use cases, like creating automations for fans or blinds, aren't exactly earth-shattering and you'll still need to own some compatible smart devices to make use of them.
But they do hint at a long-promised smart home experience that's both hands-free and works away in the background to both control your home and help reduce bills.Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals!Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
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