Hopefully we are not waiting for a sequel to the Apple HomePod mini, a smaller version of the full-size HomePod that Apple will announce in 2020. According to a reporter familiar with Apple, this product is not likely to appear anytime soon.
The report was published in Bloomberg's "Power On" newsletter (opens in new tab), and Mark Gurman says that Apple is not actively working on a new mini model, and in his words, "At this point, I I don't believe they are actively working on such a product."
That's interesting because Apple has a new, larger HomePod on the horizon; HomePod 2 will be available on February 3.
According to Garman, the reason there won't be another smaller sequel is not because the Apple HomePod mini hasn't been successful, but because there is no obvious room for improvement given the current hardware situation. Basically: the HomePod 2 borrows features from the HomePod mini, but the potential HomePod mini 2 would borrow nothing from the HomePod 2.
Despite the lack of a new HomePod mini, Apple has plans to work more strongly in the smart home arena. Garman said that "several devices" are in the works, citing both the upcoming Apple TV set-top box and a low-end iPad that works like a Facebook portal device.
How these products will work and when they will appear is a mystery.
Speaking of mysteries, Garman has both good and bad news about Apple's mixed reality glasses. That model won't be available before 2027, but it will be half the price.
We'll keep an eye on Apple's new products (remember, today is the release date for the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and Mac mini M2) and will report further news as it comes in.
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