Apple Unveils New HomePod Mini with Sustainability Focus and Midnight Color Option
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Apple silently launches new HomePod Mini with 'big' sustainability feature -- price, specs
The midnight HomePod Mini will be available for purchase in India on July 17, priced at Rs 10,990. Apple has just unveiled a new version of its HomePod Mini smart speaker in a striking "midnight" colour. This new shade closely resembles the original space gray but aligns with the midnight colour scheme introduced with the second-generation HomePod last year. The midnight HomePod Mini will be available for purchase in India on July 17, priced at Rs 10,990. Originally launched globally in 2020, the HomePod Mini debuted with just two colour options -- space gray and white. In 2021, Apple expanded the colour palette, adding yellow, orange, and blue to the lineup. With this latest addition, Apple also emphasises its commitment to sustainability, stating that the new Mini's mesh is made from 100 percent recycled materials, an improvement from the previous 90 percent. The HomePod Mini's core hardware includes an orb-shaped design, a single full-range driver, dual passive radiators, and four microphones. It supports computational audio and delivers 360-degree sound, ensuring a high-quality listening experience. Users can control the device using Siri voice commands. Notably, the HomePod Mini is equipped with the same temperature and humidity sensors, identical to those found in the second-generation HomePod. They allow the Mini to trigger smart home automations based on environmental conditions. For example, the HomePod Mini can turn on a fan when the room gets too hot. In addition to these sensors, the HomePod Mini also supports the Thread wireless protocol. This standard allows devices to connect over longer distances while consuming less power compared to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The HomePod Mini and its larger counterpart aren't expected to feature Apple Intelligence due to their limited memory. Mark Gurman, a noted Apple analyst, has suggested that Apple Intelligence requires at least eight gigabytes of memory, far more than the one gigabyte found in the HomePod models. Therefore, Apple is focusing its advanced AI efforts on entirely new devices.
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Apple has launched a new colour for this gadget - Times of India
Apple has launched a new colour option for its HomePod mini smart speaker. The new "midnight" black colour replaces the previous space grey version. The midnight HomePod mini will be available to order 17 for Rs 9,999 in India and 31 other countries. It joins the existing white, yellow, orange, and blue colour options. While the new colour looks very similar to the old space grey, Apple says the midnight version uses 100% recycled mesh fabric.Previous HomePod minis used 90% recycled materials. Besides the colour change, the HomePod mini keeps the same features and design. The HomePod mini stands 3.3 inches tall and can play music from Apple Music's catalogue of over 100 million songs. Users can pair two for stereo sound or use multiple speakers for whole-home audio. It works with Apple TV 4K for home theatre sound and has Siri voice control for music, smart home devices, and tasks. The HomePod mini can also detect smoke alarms and measure room temperature and humidity. The HomePod mini first launched in November 2020. This colour update may mean a fully redesigned version is still far off. Apple also offers its larger HomePod speaker in midnight, so this change brings consistency to the product line. The price remains Rs 9,999 or $99 for all colours. The new midnight HomePod mini can be ordered online now and will be in Apple Stores on July 17. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.
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Apple launches HomePod mini in the color midnight (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) said it is launching HomePod mini in midnight, which is made of recycled mesh fabric. HomePod mini is a speaker which stands at 3.3 inches in height. The speaker will be available from July 17, and will join other colors such as yellow, orange, blue, and white. Users can browse through a catalog of over 100 million songs with Apple Music, and also use the smart speaker to create a home theater experience with Apple TV 4K. The speaker also comes with an inbuilt Siri. HomePod mini in midnight retails for $99. More on Apple Apple Is Getting Ahead Of Itself How Apple Is Capitalizing On Its Balance Sheet To Drive AI Growth Apple: Upcoming Earnings Report May Be Irrelevant Apple strength is 'good' for Qualcomm, Citi says, as firm stays bullish on chips Apple projected to post record upgrade cycle; firms up estimates, price targets
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Apple has quietly introduced an updated version of its HomePod Mini, featuring enhanced sustainability and a new color option. The smart speaker maintains its price point while offering improved eco-friendly features.
Apple's Sustainable Upgrade to HomePod Mini
Apple has silently rolled out a new iteration of its popular HomePod Mini, marking a significant step towards sustainability while introducing a fresh color option. The tech giant's latest move underscores its commitment to environmental responsibility without compromising on design or functionality
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.Eco-Friendly Enhancements
The updated HomePod Mini boasts a notable sustainability feature: it now incorporates 30% recycled plastic in its construction. This eco-conscious approach extends to the device's mesh fabric, which is crafted from 100% recycled materials. These improvements align with Apple's broader environmental goals and reflect the company's ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint
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.New Color Option: Midnight
Alongside the sustainability upgrades, Apple has introduced a new color variant for the HomePod Mini. The "Midnight" color option joins the existing palette, offering users a darker, more sophisticated choice. This addition provides consumers with greater personalization options to match their home decor preferences
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.Pricing and Availability
Despite the enhancements, Apple has maintained the HomePod Mini's price point at $99, ensuring that the improved sustainability features come at no additional cost to consumers. The new version, including the Midnight color option, is now available for purchase through Apple's official channels
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.Unchanged Specifications
While the sustainability aspects and color options have been updated, the core specifications of the HomePod Mini remain unchanged. The device continues to offer its signature 360-degree audio experience, powered by the S5 chip. It retains features such as smart home control, Siri integration, and seamless connectivity with other Apple devices
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Market Impact and Consumer Reception
The quiet launch of the updated HomePod Mini reflects Apple's strategy of continuous improvement without fanfare. This approach allows the company to enhance its product lineup while maintaining focus on its flagship devices. The addition of sustainability features and a new color option is likely to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and those seeking more aesthetic choices for their smart home devices
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.Apple's Ongoing Sustainability Efforts
This update to the HomePod Mini is part of Apple's broader commitment to sustainability. The company has set ambitious goals to become carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030. The incorporation of recycled materials in the HomePod Mini is a tangible step towards achieving these environmental objectives
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