Apple presented its new connected speaker, a new generation HomePod, on January 18, but at the same time it discreetly increased the price of the HomePod mini launched in 2020. Launched at 99 euros, it crossed the symbolic bar of 100 euros and is now offered in 109 euro.
This price increase comes after those that affected many Apple products, starting with the iPhone and AirPods, but also the main services offered by the Californian company.
The only consolation, Apple will activate a temperature and humidity sensor, present in the speaker for two years, but never used until now. All users in possession of the model will be able to activate this technology thanks to the upcoming iOS 16.3 software update.
In this way, it will be possible to activate automations such as closing a blind, turning off a connected radiator or modifying the settings of a thermostat if it is too hot depending on the temperature of a room or its level of humidity. Among the competition, connected speakers from Google and Amazon don’t offer that feature. You have to equip yourself with complementary connected objects.
This humidity sensor is also present in the new HomePod, sold for 349 euros and available from February 3, together with another function deployed in the next update: an alarm detector function (fire or carbon monoxide), which it will detect the shrill sound of the alert to notify the user on his smartphone, if he is not at home.
Source: BFM TV
