When the Apple HomePod mini was introduced, my smart home savvy friends were not exactly impressed. In response to one feature after another being announced, they said, "Alexa already does it," and "Google Assistant already does it," almost in a "Simpsons did it" tone from "South Park." Even Apple's new Intercom announcement feature is among Alexa's functions.

I'm not a big fan of smart homes, so I wasn't exactly impressed. My Echo Clock with Dot is more of a clock than a speaker. My Echo Clock with Dot is more of a clock than a speaker. But while watching the event, Apple found a way to change my mind.

The $99 HomePod mini, which you may not have heard of yet, is Apple's follow-up to the supposedly failed HomePod, a huge (sounding) speaker that costs a whopping $299. This price is so high compared to the market that Apple offers a monthly installment plan in addition to the regular purchase.

HomePod also relies on Siri, and compared to Alexa and Google Assistant, Siri has long been on the back burner. For example, Siri still cannot activate multiple timers at the same time, which annoys many (including myself).

The HomePod mini improves on HomePod with a cool new feature that Amazon and Google's smart speakers don't have: music handoff.

Here's how it works. With Music Handoff, simply approach the HomePod mini when you are listening to music or a podcast, and the HomePod mini will sense that your device is nearby and transfer the music from your phone to the speaker.

Apple has figured out this trick thanks to its U1 chip, which uses ultra-wideband technology to detect nearby devices.

Handoff may not ring a bell for some, but if you ask me, this is smarter than a connected Alexa-enabled microwave oven. This is because I hate Bluetooth technology. I have always found the process of turning on and pairing speakers, headphones, and just about everything else to be too much friction.

That's not to say there aren't Bluetooth devices I use; I have a UE Megaboom 3, and even my record player's stereo speakers support Bluetooth. Even though these applications try to reduce the steps to enable Bluetooth (the UE app can turn on the speakers as long as they are in range), it still feels like it is faltering.

The Music Handoff on the HomePod mini solves all of that and seems to work like AirPods. Simply approach the speaker and sound is transferred.

There is one drawback, however. Not all apps seem to support the HomePod mini, and only some apps can send sound to the speaker.

Most people will be annoyed by the lack of Spotify support, but at this point I am not surprised. I'm more frustrated by the fact that this feature also works for podcasts, but only Apple's Podcasts app seems to support it. No love for Overcast, the best podcast app out there? Hopefully this will be fixed eventually.

If the HomePod mini review says its sound is as good as Apple says it is, I might actually buy one. I haven't invested in a soundbar yet, so I can use it as stereo speakers for my Apple TV. But if the HomePod mini will save me hours of worrying about Bluetooth setup and improve the sound quality of my TV shows, then that would be great.

Congratulations, Apple, you've found a way to sell smart speakers to people who rarely talk to Siri.