The updated, second-generation smart speaker sounds amazing, but essentially offers the same smart features as the much more budget-friendly Mini version, according to our personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen. One of the major selling points of the full-size $299 HomePod is the built-in temperature sensors, which can be used for smart-home controls. But it turns out that the $99 Mini had the same sensors all along—which Apple just unlocked in a recent software update. 📷: Apple #apple #homepod #homepodmini #tech #wsj #thewallstreetjournal #wallstreetjournal | $99 | ✅ control Matter-enabled smart-home devices | ✅ recognize individual voices | $299 | ✅ pair two units for stereo sound | ✅ serve as intercom