HomePod Mini 2 first look: Three things I love and one disappointment
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When I first heard about the new $149 HomePod Mini 2 at Apple's Welcome Home event last month, I was disappointed. It's been six years since Apple launched its entry-level smart speaker, and all it got in the second gen was a chip bump, some color glowy stuff, and better AirPlay? For $50 more than [
The one-panel cartoon
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A cozy living room with a bookshelf, a lamp, and a variety of electronic devices including an old HomePod Mini and a new HomePod Mini 2 sitting side by side on a coffee table, with a remote control nearby.
Caption: Who knew a $149 speaker needed a $50 upgrade for a better night’s sleep?
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Based on the original story on theverge.com.
Editor's note
While the HomePod Mini 2's incremental improvements are a bit underwhelming, the upgrade to the S8 chip and enhanced privacy features are welcome nods to the tech-savvy consumer. However, at $149, it's hard not to feel that Apple could have pushed the envelope a bit more to justify the price hike.
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Panel 1
(a) The subject of this story is the HomePod Mini 2, an entry-level smart speaker from Apple that is supposed to offer value and convenience to users. The device was announced with minor upgrades, primarily a chip bump and improved AirPlay functionality, at a higher price point. (b) The real irony or absurdity here is that Apple has released a new HomePod Mini 2 with only minor improvements and a price hike, which seems like a lackluster update compared to the expectations for a six-year-old product. (c) The single funniest observation is that the HomePod Mini 2 is being sold as a significant upgrade, but it’s barely different from the original, and it’s more expensive.
Panel 2
Living Room *Background: A cozy living room with a HomePod Mini on a small table. There’s a laptop open on the coffee table showing the HomePod Mini 2 announcement video. A character, JASON, is sitting on a couch, looking at the laptop screen with a puzzled expression.* JASON (muttering)
JASON: Six years, and all they did was add some colors and bump up the price? That’s it?
Panel 3
Kitchen *Background: Jason is now in the kitchen, holding a new HomePod Mini 2 box. He’s standing next to an older HomePod Mini on the counter, comparing them. Both speakers are almost identical except for the color and the slightly larger size of the new one.* JASON (to himself)
JASON: You mean to tell me this is worth $50 more? Seriously?
Panel 4
Living Room *Background: Jason is back in the living room, sitting on the couch with a disappointed look on his face. He’s holding the HomePod Mini 2 box, which looks identical to the original except for the color and the sticker that says The older HomePod Mini is on the table next to him.* JASON (sighing)
Background: $149.
JASON: Well, I guess they’re banking on people thinking shiny new colors and better “AirPlay” make it worth the extra dough. #Facepalm
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