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Tech News
Apple confirmed that its upcoming Siri AI features, part of Apple Intelligence, will extend beyond its new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 to older second- and third-generation Apple TV 4K models and existing HomePod Minis. The update is expected later this year via a TVOS 27.2 beta, rolling out first in the US, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the UK in English.
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has granted regulatory approval for Alibaba's Tongyi Qianwen (Qwen) language models and Tongyi Wanxiang image/video tool to power Apple Intelligence on the mainland. Network access permits have also been issued for the upcoming iPhone Duo and 18 Pro, with the Duo set to launch in China next week featuring the revamped Siri.
A leaker named pdfu spotted changes to Apple's HomePod 2 product page, including a glow effect matching the HomePod mini 2's Siri AI visuals and alt text describing a 'multi-colored Siri AI glow on top.' The HomePod mini 2 itself ships with Siri AI support enabled by its S10 chip, while the original HomePod mini lacks this capability.
Apple's new HomeView smart display can recognize up to six people, but John Gruber reports that recognition requires a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, not an Apple Watch. That device must be connected to the home's Wi-Fi network and have been recently unlocked for HomeView to identify a user by face or voice. HomeView costs $299, is available for pre-order now, and ships November 13.
Apple's new HomePod mini 2 replaces the 2019 model's S5 chip with the more powerful S10, enabling Siri AI capabilities such as natural conversation and more accurate general knowledge answers, though this won't be available at launch. The speaker also gains a visual feature called Sound Glow, which syncs its touch-surface lighting with music and album artwork, and supports multi-speaker surround sound setups with other HomePod units via Apple TV.
Apple has released the HomePod Mini 2, replacing a model that had gone unchanged for six years. The new speaker runs on Apple's S10 chip, also used in the Apple Watch Series 10 and 11, and adds Siri AI support, surround sound pairing with Apple TV 4K, and an LED lighting feature tied to audio playback. It retains prior capabilities such as HomeKit hub functions, Sound Recognition alerts, and its compact design.
Spotify announced that iPhone users running iOS 27 can now ask Siri to play music, podcasts, or audiobooks without saying 'on Spotify.' Siri learns a user's preferred music app over time and automatically routes playback requests to it, supporting features like personalized recommendations, resuming podcasts, and AI-generated Prompted Playlists. The feature requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later with Apple Intelligence enabled, and is available globally except in the EU.
Apple has announced a new Apple TV 4K featuring Siri AI, a conversational version of Siri built on its next-generation Apple Intelligence, along with built-in far-field microphones for hands-free voice control. The device offers faster performance and, when paired with HomePod mini 2 or HomePod (2nd generation) speakers, supports a more immersive surround sound home theater setup. Pre-orders open today, with availability starting November 13.
Apple introduced the HomeView smart speaker at its Welcome Home event in New York, featuring a seven-inch square Liquid Retina display, two full-range drivers for Spatial Audio, and Apple's A18 chip. The device acts as a home hub for entertainment, smart home control, and interacting with Apple Intelligence and the revamped Siri assistant, while also personalizing itself to recognize individual users.
Apple introduced HomeView, a smart home display with a tilting 7-inch Liquid Retina touchscreen, available in countertop and wall-mounted versions. The device runs Apple Intelligence with Siri built in, can recognize individual users' faces to show personalized screens, and supports Apple Watch-style customizable widget faces.
Apple has launched a new Apple TV 4K featuring its A19 chip, promising 50% faster CPU and up to twice the GPU performance of the prior model, along with three far-field microphones for hands-free Siri commands powered by Apple Intelligence. The device ships with a redesigned remote made of recycled aluminum that supports Find My and Precision Finding, and preorders open today ahead of a November 13 launch at $299, with the remote sold separately for $59.
Apple has confirmed an October 13 launch event themed 'Welcome home,' combining an in-person press event in New York with an online video presentation around 9 a.m. ET. The centerpiece is expected to be a long-rumored smart display, reportedly called HomeView, featuring a 6-inch screen on a dome base available in wall-mounted and countertop versions, powered by Siri and Apple Intelligence.