Six years. That's how long it's been since Apple gave the HomePod mini a proper refresh, and according to a new report from Engadget, the second generation is finally coming. The short version: new colors, same little fabric puck.

I'll admit my first reaction was a small sigh. Then I thought about it for a minute, and a similar design might actually be the right call. The HomePod mini is one of those rare Apple products that got the shape right the first time. It's small enough to tuck on a bookshelf, heavy enough not to feel cheap, and the Siri top glows in a way my granddaughter Jess still thinks is the best part. When a design works, you leave it alone. I said the same thing about the iPod for years, and that shape lasted a very long time indeed.

The color news is the fun part, though details are thin on exactly which shades we'll get. The original launched in white and space gray back in 2020, then Apple added blue, orange, and yellow in 2021. Fresh colors are a low-effort way to make an older product feel new again, and Apple knows exactly what it's doing there. People who would never replace a working speaker will absolutely buy a second one in a color they like better. I've watched family members do this with iPhone cases for years, so I know how this goes.

What's changed inside, if anything, is a complete mystery for now. The report doesn't mention new chips, improved sound, or anything under the hood, and I'm not going to fill that gap with guesses. Sometimes a refresh really is mostly cosmetic, and if the sound stays the same, plenty of buyers won't mind one bit. The mini has always sounded better than its size suggests.

Some of you might remember Apple discontinued the full-size HomePod back in 2021, then brought it back in 2023. The mini, meanwhile, just kept quietly selling. It's become the default entry point into Apple's smart home world, and it's usually the gateway to HomeKit I recommend to family members who are dipping a toe in for the first time. It pairs with the smart locks and gadgets I've written about before, and it does the basics without fuss. Technology should work for you, and the mini mostly does.

No word yet on pricing or a release date, though I'd be surprised if Apple strayed far from the original $99. That price is a big part of why the mini succeeded, and Apple knows it.

If you've been waiting six years to buy one, your patience may finally pay off soon. If you already own a mini and love it, well, there's always a new color with your name on it. I'll keep an eye on this one and report back when Apple makes it official.