Besides Apple Music, Homepod Mini users can now stream from Gaana, JioSaavn | Digit

Silicon Valley technology giant Apple has added Gaana and JioSaavn music streaming services to Homepod Mini smart speakers. With this move, Homepod Mini users in India can stream over 100 million songs across English, Hindi, and regional languages.

Apple adds Gaana and JioSaavn streaming support to Homepod Mini

Up until now, Homepod Mini users in India were able to play content from Apple Music only. Through AirPlay, they could stream third party content onto the Homepod Mini. With this update, users on iOS 14.1 and later; can stream content from Gaana and JioSaavn onto the Homepod Mini. Both Gaana and JioSaavn are homegrown content streaming platforms. The best part is that you can ask Siri for assistance.

The update will allow Homepod Mini users to access Gaana’s 45 million tracks and JioSaavn’s 60 million songs across English, Hindi, and regional languages. You may need a subscription plan depending upon the content that you want to access. To use these platforms, users will add these services. After adding them, users will be able to play Gaana and JioSaavn’s content using Siri hands-free.

The “Music streaming is revolutionising how we spend our leisure, by opening up new avenues for indoor entertainment. With Gaana now available on HomePod mini, our users will have a more cohesive experience as they’ll now have seamless access to their personalised playlists and favourite songs no matter where they are in their homes”, said Sandeep Lodha, CEO, Gaana in a statement.

Apple Homepod Mini – SETUP

Adding a new streaming service:

• Update iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to iOS 14.1.
• Open the Gaana or JioSaavn app.
• Go to the app settings. You may need a subscription plan.
• Tap on ‘Connect with Homepod’ and follow the on-screen instructions to add the service onto Homepod Mini.

Setting a default streaming service:

• Update iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to iOS 14.1.
• Open the Home app.
• Go to settings. 
• Select your Home and ID.
• Go to Media and select default service.
• Select your preferred default streaming service – Apple Music, Gaana, or JioSaavn.

Apple Homepod Mini faces tough competition

Like other Apple products, the Apple Homepod Mini was designed to work within the Apple Ecosystem. Before the update, users were able to stream content through the Apple Music app only using voice commands. With this update, users can use Siri to play music through Gaana and JioSaavn app, besides the Apple Music app.

Amazon’s Alexa Echo speakers and Google Nest speakers already had the option to add or change default media streaming services on the platforms. The new update by Apple makes the competition interesting.

Apple Homepod Mini pricing and availability

Launched in October ’20, Apple Homepod Mini smart speakers are powered by the Apple S5 chip that powers the audio prowess of the speaker by using computational audio for a 360-degree audio experience. It is available in white and space grey colour variants for ₹ 9,900 on Apple Store and through Apple authorised resellers.