Are we about to find out if Apple is releasing a new HomePod mini and perhaps a new Apple TV. Stay tuned! The announcement is about to be made. 
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BTW, rumors have been that both of those devices would have microlocation capability, something people have been waiting for in inexpensive home automation for a long time. Apple’s got patents on hardware and processes for this, but they haven’t yet released anything that uses it.
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Ooooh, shiny! 
Specs have been released. Some cool stuff (some clearly for not yet released features)
- yes, it is an UltraWideband base station Which means microlocation with regards to iPhones and… (Wait for it) the new Apple Watch six! Yes, a wearable.
It’s not clear what exactly they’re going to do with it yet, but so… Many… Possibilities.
One of the most significant new additions to the HomePod mini is a new feature that will allow it to act as an Ultra-Wideband base station to precisely locate U1-equipped devices, like the iPhone and Apple Watch Series 6.
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Apple says that HomePod mini will be receiving a “magical” Handoff experience. A HomePod mini will understand when an iPhone is nearby and provide audio, visual, and haptic feedback, so it feels like two Apple devices are physically connected.
- this is the first Apple device with a thread radio built-in. Hmmmm… Footnote say it’s still only going to work with HomeKit devices for now but this pretty clearly is a potential project chip vector.
- The new intercom feature doesn’t just work between multiple HomePod: they can also include a message to linked Apple Watches and iPhones.
The new speaker also adds a new Intercom feature that lets family members send messages between HomePods. Family members can choose whether to talk to people in a different room, a specific zone, or throughout the home. Intercom also works with other Apple devices, so family members will receive a notification and can reply even if they aren’t near a HomePod.
- at $99, this is now the least expensive HomeKit hub device.
Stacey on IOT
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