Biggest news for me, HomePod mini will finally be getting its temperature and humidity sensors activated with the software updating coming alongside this one.
Can cancel my plans for installing a bunch of Eve Rooms now.
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Oh thatās good!
Now I just need a better way to see them all in Homekit.
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Even more surprised they killed the original, if they were launching a second gen.
No doubt it sounds awesome, but Iād still rather have two Echo Studios (on sale) and some change personally.
I think itās a strange decision overall. Itās still very expensive.
I have a big OG and 3 minis. The OG sounds brilliant but to get the true value of it you need it obnoxiously loud.
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My OGās music keeps cutting out for a second or two at a time ā but I canāt tell if itās the amp/speakers on their way out, or if itās just bad at streaming from Apple Music. Either is very plausible.
Going just from my own persepctive as someone who never bought into the original homepod idea, I suspect HomePod mini changed the game.
It got me into the idea, and sold me on it, to the point Iām now vastly more open to the idea of the bigger one. Especially if it sounds as good as folks say.
I donāt know if Iāll buy on yet, but if theyāre on offer, itās an obvious choice. Users who have had both claim just one of these will outdo a stereo mini in a home cinema setup and you can always add more later. So thatās a consideration for me as someone who has grown to love the stereo minis as a tv soundbar alternative. And if I do, thatās two homepod miniās freed up to add to other rooms as well, expanding the functionality.
This should have been the strategy to begin with. Have something cheap enough for folks to fall in love with so you can upsell them to the bigger one. The fact upgrading doesnāt mean simply replacing your original purchase either, is a fantastic selling point.
With the current state of HomeKit and Appleās speakers, and with matter starting to arrive, Apple is in the best position to dominate the home IMO. Itās by far the best hardware and software experience between the three primary players, having tried them all.
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I love my OGs. The sound is incredible. Not sure I would want the new version which has less tweeters and is smaller yet the same price the OGs were reduced to towards the end.
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Max I would have paid is Ā£199 so Iām out for sure, might pick up a few minis and dot them around the house to replace my Google minis though.
Ā£249 would have made it very appetising for me. The price tag is the only reservation Iāve had.
I think Iād need to start replacing TVs to get the most out of it though. Mine are too old for the Dolby Atmos pass through now (assuming I understand how the Apple TV ARC thing works properly). But I tend to keep my TVs for years, and Iām not in a hurry to do that.
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My Google Minis are very slow these days so I am thinking of doing the same. I just need an offer to come up so I donāt pay full price. Still kicking myself I missed the 2-4-1 offer that was going on a year or two ago!
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Iād have bought one if it offered something new.
Ā£300 for it to replace a Homepod that is fully functioning and isnāt pushed to the max. Iāll pass.
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It was the Very offer that @Revels shared a few christmases ago that persuaded me. Very quickly bought two more the following January. Hasnāt been anything nearly as good as that offer since, and doubt there will be again.
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Same my Google minis are basically junk at this point, do wish Iād got the 241 deal on HomePod minis. 
Iām quite tempted by the HomePod. Iāve been wanting to upgrade my bedroom HomePod mini for sometime. Tempting but pricey.
Could arguably be the best hardware and software, but theyāre so far out on price that itās tough to see how theyāre close to being in a position to compete strongly, let alone dominate.
Looks like a typical Apple play for the premium end of the market. Which is obviously a strategy that has served them well.
FYI the HomePod Mini has gone from Ā£89 to Ā£99.
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I have 2 OGās linked to my Apple TV and I do truly love them, I always feared one would die or the kids would spill something on them and I would lose my stereo pair so I am glad they have came out with a new version.
Ā£249 would have been a good price but I am still tempted. Will be curious to see how the reviews go comparing them to the originals.
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Just be aware that you canāt link the new HomePod with the OG as a stereo pair, though 
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Yeah I saw that, I mean of one goes I would potentially bite the bullet on 2.
Its cheaper than a good sound bar although the soundbar may sound better.
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