THE POD OF SMALL THINGS

Apple Homepod Mini

It feels like a lifetime ago that Apple first introduced the Homepod – its expensive, hamstrung but sonically rather brilliant smart speaker. In fact it’s only been three years, but it would appear Apple has spent that time fixing a few of the issues we had with the original.

For starters, the new Mini model will work with streaming services other than Apple Music, although Spotify is conspicuous by its absence. Behind its acoustically transparent mesh are one full-range driver and dual passive radiators, which should make it sound much bigger than its 84mm height. Stick two together in a room and they’ll automatically team up to make a stereo pair, while three mics are on hand to pick up voice commands.

It’s powered by an Apple S5 chip, which gives it enough oomph to adjust how your music sounds up to 180 times a second, but also means it can recognise up to six different voices and be used as an intercom to talk to other Apple devices inside and outside your home. Not bad for something that looks like a futuristic grapefruit.

As hot as… Siri’s naughtiest secrets £99 / apple.com