The ideal smart speaker for everyday use – except for that Spotify downside

HomePod MiniImage Apple

Apple has put the patience of the Dutch to the test: only a year and a half after its introduction is Apple’s smart speaker HomePod Mini also officially on the market here. This has to do with speech assistant Siri, of which the Dutch-speaking variant is only now available on the speaker (although it has been speaking Dutch on the iPhone for some time now).

Impatient Apple fans couldn’t get the mini (Apple started in 2017 with a larger variant, but it has since been taken off the shelves) already via detours, but at that time they could only chat in English to the 8.5 centimeter high ball. That’s different now.

Siri recognizes the voices of up to six people in the same household and can tailor music and podcasts to everyone’s preference. Siri also responds to personal requests, such as reading messages, news, reminders, notes and calendar events. You can also simply send a WhatsApp via the speaker. Handy for lovers of smart things at home, such as lamps: these can also be controlled via the speaker.

There is something special about the music. The HomePod is optimized for Apple’s own music service, but can also handle, for example, Deezer. Voice commands allow the owner to request specific songs or playlists. Unfortunately that does not apply to Spotify, the most used music service in the Netherlands. Slowness on Spotify’s side, Apple claims. Spotify can be used (via AirPlay) on the speaker, but without the advanced voice commands.

The HomePod takes over music from an iPhone when it's nearby Image Apple

The HomePod picks up the music from an iPhone when it’s nearbyImage Apple

What does work very well is the collaboration with other Apple stuff. For example, if you keep your iPhone close to the HomePod, you can transfer the music or podcast that is currently playing on your phone to the speaker. No hassle with menus. As we’ve come to expect from Apple, this ease of use party is only intended within the Apple ecosystem. If you have an Android phone, you can’t use HomePod at all. That can resort to, for example, the smart speakers from Google, called Nest. They are a bit bigger, but a lot cheaper.

The sound quality of the HomePod is quite impressive, given its very compact size. The speakers can be used individually or as a stereo pair. It is also possible to use the HomePod as a TV speaker in combination with the Apple TV box.

If Spotify offered support, the HomePod would be the ideal smart speaker for everyday use. At least for iPhone owners. And the price is manageable by Apple standards.

apple HomePod Mini109 euros each

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