It’s official. Apple has discontinued its original HomePod in India. Launched in 2017, the original HomePod is the first version of Apple’s smart speaker. The company will continue to produce and focus on the HomePod mini, introduced in 2020. However, owners of the original HomePod need not worry as the company will continue to provide customer support with software updates and support through Apple care.
“HomePod mini has been a hit since its debut last fall, offering customers amazing sound, an intelligent assistant, and smart home control all for just INR 9900. We are focusing our efforts on HomePod mini. We are discontinuing the original HomePod, it will continue to be available while supplies last through the Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple will provide HomePod customers with software updates and service and support through Apple Care,” Apple said in a statement.
HomePod mini price and specs
Apple launched HomePod mini in November last year in India. It is available in White and Space Grey colour variants. HomePod mini is just 3.3 inches tall. It is powered by the Apple S5 chip that optimises loudness, adjusts the dynamic range, and control the movement of the driver and passive radiators in real time.
According to Apple, the full-range driver, powered by a neodymium magnet and a pair of force-cancelling passive radiators, enables deep bass and crisp high frequencies. The company claims that the smart speaker features an acoustic waveguide to direct the flow of sound down and out toward the bottom of the speaker for an immersive 360-degree audio experience. This means that users can place HomePod mini almost anywhere in their rooms and get to hear consistent sound. HomePod mini has four microphones in it.
Apple has also introduced a new Intercom feature that aims to offer family members an easy way to connect with each other at home. One person can send an Intercom message from one HomePod to another — whether in a different room, a specific zone, or multiple rooms throughout the home — and their voice will automatically play on the designated HomePod speaker. Intercom works with iPhone, iPad, Apple WatchAirPods, and CarPlay.
HomePod mini also works with music services like Amazon Music, apart from Apple Music.