{
  "id": 14207769,
  "title": "Apple refreshes its Homepod mini with a new chip and $149 price tag",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/apple-refreshes-its-homepod-mini-with-a-new-chip-and-149-price-tag",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-13T13:38:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCrunch",
    "slug": "techcrunch",
    "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/13/apple-refreshes-its-homepod-mini-with-a-new-chip-and-149-price-tag/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple unveiled an updated version of its HomePod Mini smart speaker at its smart home event on Tuesday, alongside the introduction of a new device called HomeView. The refreshed HomePod Mini comes with a new S10 chip that enhances dynamic range, loudness, and acoustic performance. This $149 update, priced $50 higher than its original 2020 release, introduces Siri AI integration, enabling multi-turn conversations and allowing users to control smart home devices via voice commands. Additionally, the speaker can detect certain sounds, such as a smoke alarm, and alert users through their phones - a feature Alexa devices have offered for years. Apple stated that the new assistant will be available for HomePod mini 2 buyers, though no specific date was provided. The device also integrates better with other Apple products, such as forming a four-speaker home entertainment system with the new Apple TV 4K, and can serve as the default speaker for Mac video calls or music playback. Apple has introduced a new visual feature called \"Sound Glow,\" which transforms the top of the HomePod mini into a visual canvas, changing colors and pulsing in time with the music. Users can also select soundscapes like rain or ocean waves for animations. Available in pink, green, blue, white, and midnight, the new HomePod mini will be on sale starting October 30, with pre-orders opening today.",
  "summary": "The new $149 HomePod mini with Siri AI and a 'SoundGlow' visual feature will be available starting October 30.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Tom's Guide",
        "title": "Apple 'Welcome home' event LIVE — HomeView, Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini 2 and all the last-minute leaks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/apple-welcome-home-event-live-homeview-apple-tv-4k-homepod-mini-2-and",
        "published": "2026-10-13T08:30:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Techmeme",
        "title": "Apple unveils the $299 Apple HomeView, a 7\" smart display with an A18 chip, tabletop and wall-mounted versions, and \"HomeView software\", shipping November 13 (Julian Chokkattu/Wired)",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/apple-unveils-the-299-apple-homeview-a-7-smart-display-with-an-a18",
        "published": "2026-10-13T12:55:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Mac",
        "title": "Apple unveils new HomeView smart display: pre-order today for $299",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/apple-unveils-new-homeview-smart-display-pre-order-today-for-299",
        "published": "2026-10-13T12:59:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TechRadar",
        "title": "The Apple HomeView is the smart display I’ve been waiting for",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/the-apple-homeview-is-the-smart-display-ive-been-waiting-for",
        "published": "2026-10-13T13:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Verge",
        "title": "Apple launches HomeView, its first smart display for the home",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/apple-launches-homeview-its-first-smart-display-for-the-home",
        "published": "2026-10-13T13:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Android Authority",
        "title": "Apple reveals its Nest Hub rival: meet the HomeView",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/apple-reveals-its-nest-hub-rival-meet-the-homeview",
        "published": "2026-10-13T13:33:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mashable",
        "title": "Apple just launched the HomePod mini 2 — how to buy this brand-new smart speaker.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/apple-just-launched-the-homepod-mini-2-how-to-buy-this-brand-new",
        "published": "2026-10-13T14:24:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}