Apple refreshed its entire lineup of smartphones with the iPhone 12 series last month. The scene was also shared by the new HomePod Mini, a smaller, more affordable version of the smart speaker. The Apple HomePod Mini is priced at Rs 9,900 in India and is available in White and Space Gray color variants. Pre-orders are now open on Apple's website, with shipments scheduled for November 16. Fast, free, contactless delivery will be included. The two-year AppleCare+ warranty can also be purchased for Rs 1.600. Apple says the new speaker can act as the "brain of your smart home" while maintaining privacy and security. Siri also learns a few more tricks, like recognizing voice and sending messages to other devices in the home, like an intercom. Several mini-speakers can also be combined to create a stereo effect. The HomePod Mini also contains the Apple S5 chip, which Apple says can "analyze the unique characteristics of music and apply complex tuning patterns to optimize volume, adjust dynamic range, and control movement of the driver and passive radiators." in real time. Design-wise, it has a nice round form factor with a flat top and bottom. There's a small screen on top that can display music waveforms, status, and volume controls. It lights up when the speaker is on. interact with it. Apple says the HomePod mini "uses 99% recycled rare-earth elements, and the speaker's neodymium magnet uses 100% recycled rare-earth elements." Even the mesh fabric is made from recycled plastic. To communicate with the speaker, there are three microphones for voice commands.An inward-facing microphone should help isolate sound coming from the speaker, allowing for better voice detection when listening to music.Unfortunately, app support seems to be lacking of third-party music streaming, with little luck for Spotify and Tidal users.Amazon Music and Pandora will be your alternatives.As it is a smart speaker, Apple HomePod Mini can also handle notifications, control your devices, set reminders, search the website and more.