There's a new HomePod mini coming next year, and it's definitely going to need Apple Intelligence

Earlier today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple is working on a new HomePod mini that will launch next year. While the report focuses on mentioning Apple's new wireless chip, my only request is for Apple to add support for Apple Intelligence to its future HomePod models.

HomePod and Apple Intelligence

I have HomePods all over my house, and while they're pretty convenient thanks to AirPlay and Apple TV integration, there's no denying that the Siri experience is still pretty frustrating. With the exception of setting timers, Siri consistently gets it wrong, even when it comes to playing songs or podcasts, the HomePod's core function.

This week, with the release of iOS 18.2 to the public, Apple confirmed that Apple Music is getting a modest but important update. It will now use natural language search to better understand what users want to find. This search is processed online on Apple's servers, which means it's also available to Siri on HomePod.

This alone should make the experience of using Siri on HomePod to change songs much better, but we need more. Apple has promised an all-new Siri that can understand your personal context, and that experience will be coming next year to iPhone, iPad, and Mac. But the core of HomePod is Siri, and it needs that experience, too.

The product would be much more useful if I could use it to ask questions about my day even when my iPhone is not nearby.

Currently, HomePods run on the same SoCs as the Apple Watch, which means they're not powerful enough to run Apple Intelligence. Apple is rumored to be working on a “HomePad,” which will have a larger screen and a chip capable of running AI features. However, I also expect Apple to put a more advanced chip in the regular HomePods, too.

What about you? Do you also think Apple Intelligence for HomePod will be a game-changer? Let me know in the comments section below.