- If you have an iPhone or iPad, this is the best smart speaker for seniors who love music and radio
- Integration with Apple Music is excellent, and Siri commands work brilliantly
- Lack of a screen means no video calls – buy you can make calls from your iPhone and via FaceTime audio using the HomePod
Apple is taking aim at Amazon with its $99 smart speaker called the HomePod Mini, but is this the best smart speaker for seniors?
Well, the answer really depends on what other gadgets you own.
If you’ve got an iPhone or an iPad, then it’s a great speaker, especially if you use Siri and Apple Music a lot.
But, if you’ve not already bought into the Apple system, something like Amazon’s Echo Show might be a better bet.
HomePod Privacy
Apple says security and privacy are fundamental to the design of the HomePod Mini.
It’s only activated after “Hey Siri” is recognized locally on the device, or the user activates Siri by touch.
Requests are not associated with the user’s Apple ID, and personal information is not sold to advertisers or other organizations.
HomePod mini works with iPhone to complete requests for messages and notes on device without revealing that information to Apple.
What can it do?
Primarily, play music and let you talk to Siri, Apple’s smart assistant.
HomePod mini is designed to work with Apple Music, podcasts, radio stations from iHeartRadio, radio.com, and TuneIn, and in the coming months, popular music services including Pandora and Amazon Music.
HomePod and Apple Music
Using the HomePod Mini with Apple Music is a really great experience, far better than any other smart speaker.
For instance, you can just ask ‘Siri, play me something I’ll like’ – and it’ll create a personalised station for you.
