If your Mac has Wi-Fi 6E and you own a recent HomePod or HomePod mini model, everything, including notification sounds, can be routed through the smart speakers. Apple has just revealed the HomePod mini 2 with an updated S10 chipset and a handful of new features. One of them lets it pair with a Mac for system output, just like the larger second-generation HomePod can do.
It is possible to use a stereo pair of either model to output your Mac audio. A large HomePod pair may be overwhelming for most desk setups, so giving the HomePod mini 2 the same feature is a big help. The HomePod mini 2 also offers a new Sound Glow feature that pulses along to your music and color matches the currently playing album art.
To set this up, you need a recent Mac that supports Wi-Fi 6E. Compatible models include the 2023 MacBook Pro or later, the 2024 MacBook Air or later, MacBook Neo, the 2023 iMac or later, the 2023 Mac mini or later, the 2023 Mac Studio or later, and the 2023 Mac Pro or later. The 2023 cutoff aligns with when Wi-Fi 6E was introduced in the M3 chipset. Compatible HomePods are the 2023 HomePod and the 2026 HomePod mini 2.
The Apple Home View has speakers and functions similarly to a HomePod, but it is not available as an output for Mac system audio. It is still an AirPlay target, so media audio can be played to it. The feature is managed on your compatible Mac in System Settings under Sound. However, it doesn't appear to be live in macOS Golden Gate as of October 14, and could arrive once the HomePod mini 2 launches on October 30.
Source: AppleInsider · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing