Why Apple’s HomePod Mini is Your Must-Have Gadget for Holiday Magic

It’s been a while since Apple made any major updates to its smart home capabilities, but recently, that’s changed.

From a device perspective, nothing much is new: the Apple HomePod Mini got a new color earlier this year, but no other new devices are out, even though we saw plenty of rumors about more coming. However, iOS 18 added Matter capabilities, which means the Apple Home app can now control more Matter-enabled smart home devices.

You can even control devices that don’t yet have Matter (but are Threads-capable) so long as you have an iPhone 15. That’s good news for newer smart home devices because many of them now have both Matter and Threads capabilities, meaning your holiday entertaining can get a whole lot easier.

For example, now you can set the perfect holiday ambiance with Matter-enabled smart lights like Philips Hue and smart plugs like some of the ones that Kasa offers. If you have these devices, you can use the Apple Home app or Siri to switch between themed lighting scenes that are perfect for different types of entertaining. Try setting up a scene that is cool-blue-themed for a winter wonderland.

Alternatively, you can set up schedules for when lights come on or go off. If you have guests arriving after dark, set a schedule to turn on your outdoor lights so they can see your awesome decorations (and also find their way to your front door).

Apple HomePod Mini can fill the air with holiday cheer, too. You can stream your holiday playlist on Apple Music directly from the HomePod Mini or connect it to other Bluetooth-enabled speakers to stream your tunes in other areas of your house.

You can even use SharePlay to let guests join in and add their favorite songs, creating an interactive holiday playlist everyone can enjoy.

While you’re at it, use your HomePod Mini to make sure your home is cozy and inviting. Just ensure your thermostat (try a Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Thermostat or an ecobee 3 or 4 Smart Thermostat) is connected to Apple Home. Then, you can use Siri with your HomePod Mini to adjust the temperature so your home is always comfortable for you and your guests.

The HomePod Mini gives you plenty of control over your home for the holiday season. Why not use it to control your environment more easily so you can focus on marking other things off your holiday list?