The HomePod mini could be Apple?s secret weapon for expanding HomeKit

HomeKit isn’t a new part of Apple’s software setup — the company has offered the smart home platform since 2014, and there’s a broad list of products that work with it today (even if it’s not quite as popular among device manufacturers as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant).But in order to actually take advantage of HomeKit to the fullest, you don’t just need the right smart lightbulb or Wi-Fi thermostat. You also need a HomePod, an Apple TV, or an iPad to serve as a “home hub.” Having a hub device vastly expands what HomeKit can do, allowing you to control your smart home devices when you’re not directly connected to your Wi-Fi network, invite guests to use smart home accessories in your house, and most importantly of all, create automated routines.And at $99, the HomePod mini has considerably dropped the barrier to entry to gain access to those features, which previously required a $179 Apple TV 4K, $299 HomePod, or $329 iPad. Not only that, it also makes using those HomeKit features more accessible by adding an always-on microphone that can respond to smart home requests, for a third of the price of Apple’s previous option.