Apple unveils colorful new HomePod mini 2 with no Siri AI at launch

Apple has refreshed its smart speaker after six years, unveiling the new HomePod mini 2 in five colors. The company confirmed rumors that had been swirling for weeks. The updated mini will support Siri AI, Apple's AI assistant, but it won't be functional at launch on October 30th. Instead, the AI capability will arrive in a forthcoming software update.

Apple has not specified when this update will be available, only that it will be coming soon. The HomePod mini 2 operates on the Apple S10 chip and delivers 360-degree sound. When music is playing, the top of the speaker glows with the colors of the album art and beats in time with the rhythm. Apple also introduced a new HomeView smart display, an enhanced Apple TV 4K, and a lineup of smart home security gadgets.

Multiple HomePod mini 2 speakers can be linked to an Apple TV 4K, forming a surround-sound setup. The new device is compatible with Mac computers. Priced at $149, it's $20 more expensive than the previous version. The HomePod mini 2 is now on preorder in pink, green, blue, white, and midnight.