Apple launched it's overhauled version of Siri last week, finally bringing an intelligent assistant to my iPhone, iPad, Mac and even Apple Watch. But one of my devices, the HomePod, is still stuck with classic Siri, which now feels miles behind and almost completely useless. This could all change very soon, with Siri AI rumoured to be coming to the HomePod as soon as next month.

Useless (classic) Siri

My HomePod mini, which turns six years old in just a couple of months, uses an S5 chip that was originally designed for the Apple Watch Series 5. With such an old chip inside, the older version of Siri remains the only option, with Siri AI support seemingly unlikely for my existing HomePod mini.

The HomePod has never been a particularly good device to ask questions to, with Siri regularly telling me to ask Siri on my iPhone. What's the point of the HomePod having Siri if it just tells me to use my iPhone?

After updating my other devices to version 27, with Siri AI support, my usage of the assistant has increased. However, if I'm at my desk and I try ask Siri a question, it's my HomePod that picks the request up, when I'd rather use my iPhone or Mac which can give me a better answer.

It has got to a point where, when Apple does launch Siri AI on HomePod, it'll take a lot of muscle memory to break to start using it again.

Why Do I Still Have my HomePod?

So, if Siri on the HomePod is so bad, why do I still have it? The answer is simple: I use it as a home hub.

To set up an Apple Home, a HomePod device or Apple TV is required. The HomePod is an essential part of my smart home, controlling lights, scenes and automations in my home that I use everyday.

The climate sensors in the device are also very useful during the summer, allowing me to see how much the room has heated up throughout the day.

Siri AI on HomePod

My issues with my HomePod could all change very soon. New leaks from X user pdfu, who regularly shares Apple leaks on the MacRumors forums, show the Siri AI glow on the HomePod display.

pdfu said:

audioOS 27 includes Linwood, the system behind Siri AI, plus a new look and sound for Siri on HomePod.

This suggests Apple is working on bringing its overhauled Siri to HomePod in an upcoming update. However, with HomePod Software 27 already released with no signs of Siri AI, it's possible that the feature could be exclusive to new hardware.

If Apple continues to use Apple Watch chips in their HomePod models, we could see them using either the S9, S10 or even S11 chip. These three chips appear to be the only ones that support Siri AI, with Apple cutting off the Apple Watch Series 8, with S8, from watchOS 27.

The new S11 chip in the new Apple Watch Series 12 is already proving much faster in AI over its predecessor, so this could be the chip Apple opts for.

New HomePods may debut alongside a new Apple TV as soon as October. Apple has historically used this month to introduce new Macs and iPads, although there is no guarantee that new HomePod models will be announced next month.

Final Thoughts

For now, my HomePod feels almost redundant. The only reason it still has a prominent space on my desk is its home hub capabilities, rather than Siri itself.

That could finally change if Apple introduces Siri AI to the HomePod. After months of barely using Siri on the device, I'd actually have a reason to start talking to my HomePod again.

Whether that happens next month is still unknown. Rumours of new HomePod hardware have been circulating for years, so I'll believe it when Apple actually announces it.