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Apple introduced the HomePod mini in October last year. It has a number of useful functions – but Apple has kept one feature secret from us so far.
The HomePod mini has a hidden sensor that measures temperature and humidity and, according to Bloomberg, may offer the option to use future features that could be unlocked in a future software update. From the report shows:
The hardware may also cause the HomePod mini to automatically trigger other actions, such as turning a fan on or off, depending on the temperature. Apple typically releases major HomePod software updates annually in the fall. It's unclear if or when Apple will turn on the temperature sensor, but its presence in HomePod mini devices already sold suggests it's only a matter of time. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.
The existence of the sensor was confirmed by iFixit following a request from Bloomberg. It measures 1.5 x 1.5 mm. The component is located in the bottom edge of the plastic casing—near the power cable. The sensor is manufactured by Texas Instruments and is called the "HDC2010 Digital Humidity and Temperature Sensor."
HomePod mini remains competitive
The part is located relatively far from the main internal components of the device, meaning that the sensor measures the external environment rather than the temperature of the speaker's other electronics.
This is not the first time that Apple has included a non-active component in a product and then activated it later via a software update. Bloomberg cites the 2008 iPod touch as an example. The device had a Bluetooth chip that was only activated after about a year. If Apple decides to activate the sensor in the "HomePod mini", this could pave the way for a more integrated smart home strategy for HomeKit. According to the report, this could also help Apple's "HomeKit" compete with similar features already offered by competitors. Amazon's Echo speaker with temperature sensor is listed as an example. (Image: Apple)
