APPLE has been left well in the rear-view mirror by Amazon in the world of smart voice-controlled speakers.
So does its new HomePod mini close the gap?
It’s about the size of a coffee mug but a fraction shorter and slightly wider.
In typical Apple style, it looks stunning but is more expensive than its competitors.
It looks a lot sleeker than the Amazon Echo and the swirling multicoloured lights that appear under the flat glass top when it’s in use are a beautiful touch.
The speaker is Siri-enabled so you can control it with your voice and use it as a hub for some smart home gear such as lights and thermostats — though not as many as Amazon’s speakers are compatible with.
Little powerhouse
The HomePod mini costs £99, while Amazon’s fourth-generation Echo retails for £89.99 — though it’s on sale right now for £59.99.
Amazon’s Echo Dot, its mini smart speaker, costs £39.99 and is currently on sale for £19.99.
It’s hard to compare the HomePod mini with either of Amazon’s offerings.
Though it is as compact as the Echo Dot, its features are more in line with the Echo and the sound quality truly dwarfs both.
If you are an iPhone user, you will get the most out of this little powerhouse.
You can take and make calls as well as send and receive texts on it completely hands-free and ask it to perform tasks such as updating your shopping list.
You can “hand off” music from your iPhone to the HomePod mini simply by bringing your phone close to it.
The song will stop playing on your phone and continue on the speaker.
