In this video, I’m talking about the one Apple product that feels weirdly absent right now: HomePod mini 2. New reports suggest the hardware has basically been ready since last year, but Apple is still sitting on it—and the reason isn’t “supply chain” or “they forgot.” It’s Siri. More specifically, it’s Apple Intelligence and the messy reality of shipping a new smart speaker when your assistant experience is in flux. I break down why Apple would rather delay a HomePod mini refresh than launch it with the same old Siri limitations, especially when the entire pitch of a next-gen HomePod mini should be smarter voice control, better on-device processing, and tighter smart home reliability. I also cover what I expect to change (and what probably won’t), the most realistic release window based on how Apple tends to align launches with software readiness, and the big question: should you wait or buy the current HomePod mini right now? My take: if you want a small, reliable Apple speaker today, the current mini still makes sense—but if you’re buying specifically for “smarter Siri,” that’s exactly the part Apple seems to be holding back.