Apple updates TV 4K, HomePod mini 2 with Siri AI and enhanced audio features
Apple introduced Siri AI integration for the Apple TV 4K, added a sound-emitting remote, and launched the HomePod mini 2 with new hardware, visual effects and expanded surround-sound support.
Apple unveiled several upgrades to its TV and speaker lineup, focusing on deeper Siri AI integration and improved audio capabilities. The Apple TV 4K now includes far-field microphones, allowing hands-free voice commands that can reference content from Messages, such as “play the show Sam texted me about.” Siri’s responses appear as text in the corner of the screen, avoiding audio overlap with the program being watched.
The new remote retains its external design but adds an internal speaker that emits a tone when the user asks Siri for help locating the remote, similar to the sound-based finder used for AirPods. Apple also announced the HomePod mini 2, powered by an S10 chip that will eventually support Siri AI, though the feature is not available at launch. The speaker introduces “Sound Glow,” a visual effect that mirrors audio themes on its back-lit touch panel, and expands the number of HomePod speakers that can be paired with Apple TV 4K from two to four for home-theater sound.
Apple demonstrated configurations using two second-generation HomePods with two HomePod mini 2 units, as well as a quartet of HomePod mini 2 speakers, noting the increased bass and immersive sound. The HomePod mini 2 can also function as a desktop speaker pair for Macs via AirPlay, offering a noticeable upgrade over built-in iMac speakers at a price of about $300 for a two-speaker set.