Apple rarely has any misses with its products, especially during the dominant era that began with the release of the first generation iPhone. Time after time, the Cupertino, California-based company has knocked it out of the ballpark, setting the bar in each product category it enters. Products such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and AirPods all have shown phenomenal appeal among consumers, but that doesn’t mean that Apple is infallible. The original HomePod is an example of one of those missed opportunities, and its failure impeded Apple’s ambitious efforts in the smart home realm. Pricing was partly to blame — a premium cost of $349 out of the gates made it a tough sell for the masses. But it looks as though Apple has listened to its critics. Now, though, there appears to be redemption with the HomePod mini. Even though Apple has gone smaller with this iteration, don’t let its size fool you, because this decision has grander implications that make it a formidable player in the smart home...

Computational audio optimizes the experience; Clean-sounding highs and mids; Compact size makes it discrete; It's the most affordable HomeKit home hub;

Siri lacks the advanced intelligence of its competitors; Short power cord;

Apple rarely has any misses with its products, especially during the dominant era that began with the release of the first generation iPhone. Time after time, the Cupertino, California-based company has knocked it out of the ballpark, setting the bar in each product category it enters. Products such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and AirPods all have shown phenomenal appeal among consumers, but that doesn’t mean that Apple is infallible. The original HomePod is an example of one of those missed opportunities, and its failure impeded Apple’s ambitious efforts in the smart home realm. Pricing was partly to blame — a premium cost of $349 out of the gates made it a tough sell for the masses. But it looks as though Apple has listened to its critics. Now, though, there appears to be redemption with the HomePod mini. Even though Apple has gone smaller with this iteration, don’t let its size fool you, because this decision has grander implications that make it a formidable player in the smart home...

Computational audio optimizes the experience; Clean-sounding highs and mids; Compact size makes it discrete; It's the most affordable HomeKit home hub;

Siri lacks the advanced intelligence of its competitors; Short power cord;

Apple rarely has any misses with its products, especially during the dominant era that began with the release of the first generation iPhone. Time after time, the Cupertino, California-based company has knocked it out of the ballpark, setting the bar in each product category it enters. Products such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and AirPods all have shown phenomenal appeal among consumers, but that doesn’t mean that Apple is infallible. The original HomePod is an example of one of those missed opportunities, and its failure impeded Apple’s ambitious efforts in the smart home realm. Pricing was partly to blame — a premium cost of $349 out of the gates made it a tough sell for the masses. But it looks as though Apple has listened to its critics. Now, though, there appears to be redemption with the HomePod mini. Even though Apple has gone smaller with this iteration, don’t let its size fool you, because this decision has grander implications that make it a formidable player in the smart home...

Computational audio optimizes the experience; Clean-sounding highs and mids; Compact size makes it discrete; It's the most affordable HomeKit home hub;

Siri lacks the advanced intelligence of its competitors; Short power cord;

Apple rarely has any misses with its products, especially during the dominant era that began with the release of the first generation iPhone. Time after time, the Cupertino, California-based company has knocked it out of the ballpark, setting the bar in each product category it enters. Products such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and AirPods all have shown phenomenal appeal among consumers, but that doesn’t mean that Apple is infallible. The original HomePod is an example of one of those missed opportunities, and its failure impeded Apple’s ambitious efforts in the smart home realm. Pricing was partly to blame — a premium cost of $349 out of the gates made it a tough sell for the masses. But it looks as though Apple has listened to its critics. Now, though, there appears to be redemption with the HomePod mini. Even though Apple has gone smaller with this iteration, don’t let its size fool you, because this decision has grander implications that make it a formidable player in the smart home...

Computational audio optimizes the experience; Clean-sounding highs and mids; Compact size makes it discrete; It's the most affordable HomeKit home hub;

Siri lacks the advanced intelligence of its competitors; Short power cord;

Apple rarely has any misses with its products, especially during the dominant era that began with the release of the first generation iPhone. Time after time, the Cupertino, California-based company has knocked it out of the ballpark, setting the bar in each product category it enters. Products such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and AirPods all have shown phenomenal appeal among consumers, but that doesn’t mean that Apple is infallible. The original HomePod is an example of one of those missed opportunities, and its failure impeded Apple’s ambitious efforts in the smart home realm. Pricing was partly to blame — a premium cost of $349 out of the gates made it a tough sell for the masses. But it looks as though Apple has listened to its critics. Now, though, there appears to be redemption with the HomePod mini. Even though Apple has gone smaller with this iteration, don’t let its size fool you, because this decision has grander implications that make it a formidable player in the smart home...

Computational audio optimizes the experience; Clean-sounding highs and mids; Compact size makes it discrete; It's the most affordable HomeKit home hub;

Siri lacks the advanced intelligence of its competitors; Short power cord;

Apple rarely has any misses with its products, especially during the dominant era that began with the release of the first generation iPhone. Time after time, the Cupertino, California-based company has knocked it out of the ballpark, setting the bar in each product category it enters. Products such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and AirPods all have shown phenomenal appeal among consumers, but that doesn’t mean that Apple is infallible. The original HomePod is an example of one of those missed opportunities, and its failure impeded Apple’s ambitious efforts in the smart home realm. Pricing was partly to blame — a premium cost of $349 out of the gates made it a tough sell for the masses. But it looks as though Apple has listened to its critics. Now, though, there appears to be redemption with the HomePod mini. Even though Apple has gone smaller with this iteration, don’t let its size fool you, because this decision has grander implications that make it a formidable player in the smart home...

Computational audio optimizes the experience; Clean-sounding highs and mids; Compact size makes it discrete; It's the most affordable HomeKit home hub;

Siri lacks the advanced intelligence of its competitors; Short power cord;

Apple rarely has any misses with its products, especially during the dominant era that began with the release of the first generation iPhone. Time after time, the Cupertino, California-based company has knocked it out of the ballpark, setting the bar in each product category it enters. Products such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and AirPods all have shown phenomenal appeal among consumers, but that doesn’t mean that Apple is infallible. The original HomePod is an example of one of those missed opportunities, and its failure impeded Apple’s ambitious efforts in the smart home realm. Pricing was partly to blame — a premium cost of $349 out of the gates made it a tough sell for the masses. But it looks as though Apple has listened to its critics. Now, though, there appears to be redemption with the HomePod mini. Even though Apple has gone smaller with this iteration, don’t let its size fool you, because this decision has grander implications that make it a formidable player in the smart home...

Computational audio optimizes the experience; Clean-sounding highs and mids; Compact size makes it discrete; It's the most affordable HomeKit home hub;

Siri lacks the advanced intelligence of its competitors; Short power cord;

Apple's iPhone launch event ushered in a new smart speaker, the HomePod Mini, with improved smarts and a much lower price

One of the most important markets for the tech industry is the connected home, from smart thermostats and lights to security cameras and app-connected door locks. I first wrote about the connected home in 2004; I saw its potential but was concerned about whether these devices had enough processing power and whether our networks could handle all that data. Back then, we did not have smartphones, smart speakers, or standardized wireless protocols that could make the smart home a reality. But I knew the technology would evolve to allow for internet-connected devices, which would most likely connect to a central hub. Initially, I thought the TV would serve as that hub. At the time, Creative Strategies was working with a semiconductor company that specialized in television processors and envisioned a smarter TV. Fast forward to 2018, and TVs are indeed smarter but don't really serve as the home's smart hub. It's clear now that smart speakers fill that role. With a voice interfac...