For me it wasn't very clear how the mini compares to the Homepod. As far as I understand it: cheaper, smaller and sacrificing some of the audio quality aspects (& spatial awareness) of the Homepod

I'm a huge fan of the Google Home, but I have to admit, the way the HomePod mini interacts with the Apple ecosystem is pretty amazing. Happy to see Homepod downsized and at a lower cost.

Apple trying to end Spotify should be a lesson to all startups on the hazards of being dependent upon platforms owned by monopolies. Apple didn't advertise Spotify, world's most used streaming service on its HomePod Mini announcement although Spotify could technically release an app for that. It's no secret that Apple wants its users to forget Spotify in favour of its own music service - Apple Music and that it's embroiled in legal battle with Spotify over In-App purchases. Startups should be weary of extraordinary power possessed by the platforms when building apps for them, the moment your product goes against their strategic interests, your product will likely be next in line for a slow death. Only if there was an open free app store? Well there was, it was called the 'Web browser' upon which the Internet was built. Startups undermined it for the lure of user data offered by the smartphone apps. It's now time to go back and reclaim free open web. Start building web apps with first class support for your products, pressure the monopolies to maintain open standards in their web browsers, encourage your customers to use your website, support alternate open-source mainline Linux smartphone OS, their app stores and devices like PinePhone, Librem5, PostmarketOS, UbPorts, ArchLinux ARM etc. I've been developing mobile apps for over a decade, here after my products would have web as first class citizen and mobile apps would be released for aforementioned platforms.

The problem is that Siri is terrible. I have a couple of Sonos speakers that work with Alexa. Seems like a better option, even though I'm all-in on the Apple ecosystem.

All this ends up being is a Homepod I considered for 20% longer before I decided it wasn't worth it. I'm still waiting for an Apple TV mini.

I like the minimalism in design!

thats cool