Also in Apple Keynote: New AirPods and more

October 18, 2021 Luisa Rey

Author: loek, posted October 18, 2021 to 21:18 – Reply

In addition to the all-new MacBook Pro, Apple has also announced the all-new AirPods, as well as announced improvements for the HomePod Mini.

At tonight’s Apple Keynote, the new MacBook Pro steals the show. However, Apple has two more news that are still worth mentioning. So here we link these two things in one article.

HomePod Mini

These are the ‘Pods’, to be called the HomePod and the AirPods. Let’s start with that HomePod. Specifically, it concerns the HomePod Mini. This little device is meant to be Apple’s smart assistant, like everyone’s favorite digital assistants from Google and Amazon. The new 8.4 centimeter high HomePod Mini is available in new colors. In addition to black and white, you can also choose three playful colors: dark blue, orange and yellow. For those who want to see the device more as a cool decoration and less as a kind of large golf ball that answers your questions.

Speaking of the latter: the HomePod Mini now also does that slightly better. The integration with Apple Music has been improved, allowing you to control just about the entire Apple Music catalog with your voice. Spotify, Deezer and other sources also work with the HomePod Mini, by the way. The Siri functionality as you know it in your iPhone has been improved and the speaker in the HomePod Mini has also been improved, making the device a perfect home speaker. The updated HomePod Mini will cost $99 in the US, but is not officially available here. You can order it from another market, but then the device will only work in English (or other supported languages).

AirPods

What you can get here: the new generation of AirPods! Apple’s wireless earphones (or headware) have been with us for a while now and it’s already time for generation three. The new design is slightly tidier and the protrusions at the bottom have been reduced. The design is somewhat reminiscent of the Pro version of the earphones, but without rubber earpieces. The case is like that of the Pro: wider and lower.

The AirPods can enjoy many times improved ‘spatial audio’: 3D sound effects to hear exactly where the sound is coming from. This makes the sound experience better than ever. The battery life has also improved by an hour compared to the outgoing AirPods. You can now charge the case with MagSafe. AirPods are also added to the ‘Find My’ network, so you can search for your AirPods with your other devices. The new AirPods will cost 199 euros.