HomePod mini 2 is a compact smart speaker that delivers room‑filling 360° sound from a 3.3‑inch enclosure, driven by an Apple‑designed full‑range driver, powerful neodymium magnet, computational audio, and dual force‑cancelling passive radiators for extended bass and clear highs. It supports stereo pairing, multiroom audio, Handoff from iPhone, and can be combined with HomePod speakers and Apple TV 4K for surround sound. Physical design highlights include a two‑tone seamless mesh, backlit touch surface with Sound Glow that pulses with album artwork, a color‑matched woven power cord, and five color options (Green, Pink, Blue, Midnight, White). Pre‑orders are open and availability begins October 30.
HomePod mini 2 also functions as a smart home hub and voice assistant. Siri AI, coming in a future software update, offers more conversational, context‑aware help while privacy features keep requests on device until activated; requests are associated with random identifiers and HomeKit Secure Video processing is done locally before encrypted upload. The speaker provides Home app integration, Intercom, Matter/HomeKit compatibility, sound recognition for smoke/CO alarms with critical alerts, and built‑in temperature and humidity sensors for automations. Technical callouts: stereo pair capable, multiroom support, and specific hardware (full‑range driver, dual passive radiators).
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Sprout is a replacement motherboard for older iPods that adds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a high-fidelity DAC, USB-C charging, and a microSD slot. It enables modern features like streaming, wireless headphones, and easier music transfer while maintaining the original look and feel. (crowdsupply.com)
![Why robots can't pick strawberries yet [video]](https://hntoday.pixelshot.io/screenshots/20261014/009b4c6d67314f5d_tn.jpeg)
Robots still struggle to pick strawberries due to the complexity of the task, which requires delicate handling and adaptability. Advances in robotics are ongoing, but the challenge remains significant. (youtube.com)
Nvidia is ending the supply of GB202 silicon for the RTX 5090, reserving it for workstation GPUs. The RTX 5090 is expected to be discontinued, with the RTX 5080 24 GB becoming the top GeForce card. (techpowerup.com)
A Garmin 'MCP' is a custom device or software modification designed to enhance or replicate Garmin's existing functionality. The project involves creating a personalized control panel or interface for Garmin devices. (jackantico.io)
Physical Intelligence has launched an API beta that provides access to advanced robotic models for training and inference, simplifying deployment across various industries. The API enables easy fine-tuning and adaptation of models to specific tasks, supporting diverse applications and faster development of autonomous robots. (pi.website)
Huawei has produced over 100 million Kirin chips despite previous US sanctions that limited its access to certain technologies. The milestone highlights Huawei's resilience and progress in its chip manufacturing capabilities. (scmp.com)
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