This past week Apple announced a couple things that I was surprised didn't get announced during their big event weeks ago.

The first is the HomePod mini 2, which joins Apple's smart speaker lineup. I've got a bunch of the original HomePod minis throughout my home, and they're fine. Very, very limited in functionality, but fine. I'm able to control smart devices in my home, and that's all I wanted from them. What makes the new version different is that it has the new Apple Intelligence version of their Siri personal assistant built in. Which means it's only slightly-stupid as opposed to being stupid-stupid. I'm not finding the new Siri especially compelling, so this isn't anything to push me into upgrading. But for people who are upgrading for new Siri, I was shocked to see this in small print on Apple's sales page...

USAGE LIMITS MAY APPLY?!? I don't even know how to respond to that. Hell, I don't even know how to respond to "Coming in a future software update" because that's what they said about the iPhone they sold me, and that took years. But, in all seriousness, what the fuck? If Apple is going to limit your usage or start charging you for new Siri or whatever... then why the fuck would you buy this little speaker thing? I don't get it. At all.

The next device is Apple's HomeView, which is a "smart hub" product which has been rumored for years...

I have thoughts.

• I haven't been able to find any confirmation, but I've always said that an Apple smart hub would be worth the price if it took over as the primary hub for HomeKit so it wouldn't shit the bed so much. Right now the only devices which will work as a HomeKit hub are HomePods or AppleTV devices. The problem is that your smart home routines and devices and automations and all that can just randomly disappear. They aren't backed up anywhere. If I could be assured that HomeView establishes itself as a primary hub and backs up my shit I might consider getting one, because it's such an annoying problem when the stuff you set up disappears.
• TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY-NINE DOLLARS?!?? The equivalent Amazon Echo Show 8 is $149 and the new Amazon Echo Show 11 is $199. And those can go on sale for much less! Honestly do not comprehend how Apple thinks that their price of $299 is justified.
• But wait... IT GETS WORSE! The HomeView is available in two versions... one is mounted on a stand which has a quality speaker in it... the other mounts to a wall and has no base. AND THEY COST THE EXACT SAME?!? What the ever-loving fuck? You're getting less but not paying less? How does that work in Apple-logic-land?
• But wait... IT GETS EVEN WORSE STILL! To mount the base-less version on your wall, YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE A WALL MOUNT! A mount with a USB-C connector? $60. A mount with AC power connector? $80. A mount with Power Over Ethernet connector? $130. This is fucking insanity. You should get either the base included or the USB-C included with an option to upgrade to other mounts, as needed. If anything proves that Apple is off their fucking rocker when it comes to pricing this thing, that would be it.

And so... no. I will not be buying any HomePod mini 2s or a HomeView. Too much bullshit is stinking up these products, and it seems insane to buy into any of it. Unless you're made of money. Or unless you don't care about getting taken advantage of by a GAZILLION DOLLAR COMPANY.

For so very long I thought the "Apple Tax" was worth it. You pay more, yes. But you get value for your money. Looking at Apple's latest, I don't think that's the case.