Apple Updates HomePod Mini and Extends Siri AI to Older Apple TV Models

Apple unveiled the HomePod Mini 2 and expanded its plans for Siri AI across its smart home product lineup on October 13, 2026. The announcements introduce an upgraded smart speaker, extend planned AI support to older Apple TV 4K devices, and add new options for managing connected home devices.

According to The Verge, the HomePod Mini 2 features an S10 chip designed to support Siri AI, although Apple says the new AI capabilities will arrive in a future software update. The speaker also introduces a lighting feature that synchronizes its illuminated surface with the colors of an album's artwork.

The updated speaker retains a design similar to its predecessor but adds pink and green finishes and a revised blue option. Black and white remain available, and the devices were displayed alongside similarly colored iMac models during Apple's demonstration.

The HomePod Mini 2 can also serve as a Mac's default speaker, expanding its role beyond its existing smart home functions. Apple is accepting preorders for the $149 device, with shipments scheduled to begin October 30, according to The Verge.

Apple's Siri AI plans also extend to older streaming hardware, potentially allowing customers to access some new assistant features without purchasing the latest Apple TV 4K. Engadget reported that the beta software will support Apple TV 4K models dating back to the second-generation device released in 2021.

The compatibility is expected to arrive through tvOS 27.2, which Apple plans to release in fall 2026. The exact software release date has not been announced, while the new Apple TV 4K is scheduled to launch on November 13.

However, the capabilities available on older devices remain uncertain. Unlike the upcoming Apple TV 4K, which includes far-field microphones for hands-free voice control, earlier models lack built-in microphones and rely on microphones integrated into their remotes.

Engadget also reported that Apple had not clarified whether older Apple TV 4K models would receive the full range of updated smart home controls planned for tvOS 27.2. The publication said it had contacted Apple for details about the differences in functionality.

The announcements form part of a broader smart home rollout that includes HomeView, a smart home display, and additional connected devices such as a lock, cameras, and a doorbell. Apple has not provided a complete breakdown of which Siri AI functions will be available on each compatible device.