Apple is famously good at making prospects enthusiastic about its new releases, however that doesn’t imply the corporate applies its powers of persuasion to all merchandise equally. As I plan to debate additional on this column subsequent week, excellent-value choices just like the 4th-gen AirPods and the brand new Mac mini generally slip by virtually unnoticed whereas the advertising and marketing machine shines its highlight on costlier alternate options. Often you get hints of favoritism.
One product that not seems to have Apple’s full and enthusiastic help is the HomePod. Every part appeared so promising at first: a cool new product for an thrilling new market, a fantastic design and very good sound high quality, and all of it accessible from anyplace within the dwelling because of the dependable and intuitive help of… Siri. Oh expensive. Whether or not due to Siri’s failings or not, issues went mistaken. Gross sales evidently weren’t ok, and after launching a less expensive (and in addition very good) mini mannequin, Apple made the laborious resolution and killed off the full-sized HomePod. That, we assumed, was that. Till it wasn’t.
It’s laborious to really feel assured in a product when the maker stops promoting it for nearly two years, earlier than slinking again with a second model that appears precisely like and fails to unravel any main issues with the primary. And when the product doesn’t appear to have advanced in any respect within the seven years because it got here out, having by no means given the impression of understanding the good speaker market or the truth that a (superb) speaker with unhealthy voice controls gained’t actually reduce it in 2025.
In 2025, in truth, the HomePod could get with the occasions. Most significantly it wants a greater voice assistant, and which means one factor: Apple Intelligence. If we get a brand new HomePod with the {hardware} to run Apple’s AI platform, that would imply a Siri that performs the right observe as a rule: a Siri, in different phrases, that is aware of its arias from its Elbow. And when you’ve received that, any additional upgrades–a purposeful show, for instance–can be merely icing on the cake.
But when this implies that I don’t like the present HomePod, I had higher right that assumption. Name me sentimental however I’m very keen on the HomePod, as erratic and old style because it undoubtedly is. I really like the way in which it appears to be like and the way in which it sounds, and after years of apply, I’ve discovered to work across the flaws of its management system with out getting indignant greater than two or 3 times every week. As for the mini… properly, it would simply be the perfect Christmas present you should buy within the Apple retailer proper now.
At $99/£99 and obtainable in a spread of gorgeous colours which are inexplicably denied to patrons of the full-size mannequin (I like to recommend the orange), the HomePod mini is a brilliantly reasonably priced strategy to brighten a room and fill it with stunning audio. The bass punch doesn’t fairly stay as much as its bigger sibling, however the audio high quality is however very good for the scale and value. It’s straightforward to arrange, and the bodily design means you’ll be able to simply transfer it from room to room as the flamboyant takes you. It’s only a very nice factor. Or a pair of issues, should you can afford to purchase two and set them up in superb stereo. (Please do.)
Christmas, in spite of everything, is the time once we bear in mind these much less lucky than ourselves, the uncared for members of society who’ve fallen by means of the cracks. The HomePod mini could have been forgotten by its maker, however there’s nonetheless time so that you can discover a place in your house for one among these noble creatures. Merry Christmas!
Foundry
Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which incorporates all of the Apple information you missed final week in a useful bite-sized roundup. We name it Apple Breakfast as a result of we expect it goes nice with a Monday morning cup of espresso or tea, but it surely’s cool if you wish to give it a learn throughout lunch or dinner hours too.
Waiting for 2025: Finish of yr particular!
Listed below are 5 thrilling merchandise that can form Apple’s 2025–and past.
iPhone in 2025: The upgrades we’ve been ready for are lastly coming.
The Mac in 2025: Small updates and massive hopes.
In 2025, even Professional customers will need Apple’s most cost-effective units.
Apple has massive plans for the good dwelling in 2025.
Trending: High tales
Apple’s 2024 stuffed with surprises arrange an unpredictable future.
The iPhone is doomed as a result of Apple Intelligence isn’t good sufficient.
Your iPhone is now built-in with ChatGPT–right here’s use it.
Podcast of the week
With 2024 closing, it’s time to stay up for 2025. What might we see from Apple within the new yr? That’s arising within the newest episode of the Macworld Podcast!
You may catch each episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our personal web site.
Critiques nook
The rumor mill
The rumors of a gigantic foldable iPad make no sense.
Abracadabra! Apple is engaged on a new Magic Mouse with correct charging.
Software program updates, bugs, and issues
The first iOS replace of 2025 is already in testing. That’s proper: iOS 18.3 is now in beta!
And with that, we’re accomplished for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you happen to’d prefer to get common roundups, join our newsletters. You may as well observe us on Fb, Threads, or Twitter for dialogue of breaking Apple information tales. See you subsequent Monday, and keep Appley.
