Apple continually teased the idea of a 'personal hub' at its recent event,
but then didn't launch a HomePod mini 2, and I'm mad about it

Date:
Wed, 09 Sep 2026 20:55:52 +0000

Description:
A 'hub' but no HomePod mini 2, Apple? That just doesn't seem right

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter John Ternus: 'I started the day with the idea of a personal hub' This, during Apple's famous 'one more thing' moment, to close its event And yet, no HomePod mini 2 which feels like an oversight Whether you followed our Apple event coverage or simply streamed
the event itself (and referred back to us later for a rundown of what you
saw) you'll know that alongside a cracking duo of AirPods 5 new releases and of course our first folding iPhone , Apple 's John Ternus seemed to continually tease the idea of a "personal hub" to act as the remote for your life.

At one point during the event, before announcing those ice-white buds, Mr. Ternus also stood in front of a spherical array of speakers (imagine standing right in the center and streaming a bit of Rage Against the Machine), so I felt sure Apple's "one more thing" moment would be the much-rumored, hotly anticipated HomePod mini 2, which we've been waiting on (and writing about) for quite some time now . Most of us agreed that Apple's delay in releasing its second-generation HomePod mini would be intrinsically tied to everyone at Apple Park waiting, with bated breath, for the company's overhauled, AI-powered Siri assistant to be fully finished and worthy of some new products. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

And it seems that those planets have started to align, with the iPhone Duo, Apple Watch and more all boasting Apple's new Audio Intelligence tech and
even Siri Recap (a combination that can now translate things said around you) . So surely it was full steam ahead, and this was it? No HomePod mini 2, no party (Image credit: Future) And so I sat there, waiting for the "Behold, Apple's new and improved softball-sized wireless speaker (now in colors fit
to grace any softball pitch), the HomePod mini 2! What's new? The chipset,
the improved chattiness and the snappier responses". You may like Apples HomePod mini price hike has ruined it when Sonos' speakers are this cheap iPhone Ultra will be the star of Apple's 'Surprise and Shine' event, but all eyes will be on John Ternus Everyone says John Ternus must fix Apple but the company isn't broken

And then, Ternus' people would wax lyrical about the fact that even six years after the original launched, the 2020 pricing of the new HomePod mini 2 had been put on lockdown (see what I did there?), so the price rise from $99 / 99 / AU$129 to $129 / 129 / AU$199 that was enacted in late June of this year would be reversed just like the better-value AirPods 5, which arrived with wireless charging, ANC and volume-swipe stems for $149 / 149, were actually lower than the $179 / 179 of the previous version!

But no. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

What else might Apple have unveiled in its compact, Siri-powered "hub"
speaker no-show? Oh, maybe an upgraded S9 chip, to replace the original HomePod mini's S5 chipset. Then perhaps deeper integration with Apple Intelligence for a chattier, more context-aware Siri that actually could become a voice to talk about music with (music commands are all I use Siri for, when I use it at all).

How about stronger Wi-Fi or 2nd-gen Ultra-Wideband (UWB 2) for improved Handoff something Apple did note at the event?

It seems what Ternus said after his opener, "I started the day with the idea of an intelligent personal hub", was most important. What was the end of the sentence? It was " and why there's no product in the world better-designed to be that hub than iPhone". Ah. There's the rub. Folding phones.

I understand Apple's desire to get a foldable out there, but I have to disagree. A speaking speaker hub that plays music as well as the HomePod mini can, and is able to simply accept your iPhone-and-AirPods audio in one smooth audio handoff as you step in the door? That would be a hub that made your
home a better place to be.

And if we look at the definition of the word a hub is the central component of something isn't home where the heart is for many of us? So wouldn't a HomePod mini 2 be a great intelligent personal hub, Mr. Ternus? @techradar

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-bluetooth-speakers/apple-continually- teased-the-idea-of-a-personal-hub-at-its-recent-event-but-then-didnt-launch-a- homepod-mini-2-and-im-mad-about-it


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