Apple has launched the HomeView, and I was the first to see it

Even though it’s a small device, the audio is powerful, rich and detailed - (Apple/The Independent)

Apple has taken a big step into the world of the smart home. The Apple HomeView was announced today in New York, and I got to see it before anyone else.

It was unveiled alongside a new compact speaker, the HomePod mini 2, and an upgraded TV streaming box, the Apple TV 4K. The HomePod mini 2 comes in new colours and introduces a feature called SoundGlow, which makes the lights on top of the speaker match the album art of whatever track you’re playing. It also has Siri AI built in for the first time, though it comes with a price rise from £129 to £149 – arguably still a bargain. Pre-orders start today (13 October), with the HomePod mini 2 going on sale on Friday 30 October.