HomePod functions for autumn 2021 with software version 15
Unfortunately, we are still waiting for the arrival of the HomePod mini in the Netherlands. Also during the WWDC, Apple did not announce the release for the Netherlands (or Belgium). However, the speaker will come to Italy this year. and as of this month in Austria, Ireland and New Zealand. If you are already a happy owner of the speaker, because you got it from Germany, for example, you can count on a number of new functions this autumn. These are the new features in the HomePod software version 15.0 that will be available in the fall of 2021. Some HomePod features require iOS 15, while other enhancements take advantage of tvOS 15.
- Lossless audio
- Control Apple TV
- HomePod mini with Apple TV
- Siri in HomeKit devices
- SharePlay
#1 Lossless audio support
Later this year, the HomePod will receive support for lossless audio in Apple Music. This also applies to the HomePod mini. If you're an Apple Music subscriber and want to stream in lossless audio, that won't work on the HomePod yet, as it uses AAC. Later this year, following the rollout of the new software update, the HomePod and HomePod mini will also work with ALAC, the new audio compression Apple uses for lossless. This makes the music sound a lot better.
#2 Control Apple TV via HomePod
Starting with the upcoming HomePod software version, you can also control your Apple TV via Siri on the HomePod . You can then say to Siri on the HomePod “Play the newest episode of Ted Lasso”, and the Apple TV will automatically turn on and start the episode for you. It is not yet clear which streaming services this will all work with, but at least it works with Apple TV+.
#3 HomePod mini as standard speakers for Apple TV
With tvOS 15, you can use a HomePod mini (pair) as standard speakers for the Apple TV 4K. Currently, that only works for the large HomePod, but from this fall also for the HomePod mini. This means that you can indicate in the settings that the audio should always go through the HomePod mini, which often gives better sound than a standard speaker in a television. This feature is especially useful if you don't already have a soundbar, but do have one or two HomePod minis.
#4 Siri on other HomeKit devices
While this isn't necessarily a feature on the HomePod itself, it does require a HomePod with the latest software version to use it. Starting later this year, Siri will also be available on third-party HomeKit devices, such as speakers and thermostats. But there must be a HomePod in the house. Whether that means that you can only speak English to the HomeKit devices (due to the lack of Dutch Siri on the HomePod), we unfortunately do not know yet. The HomePod is responsible for processing your voice command so that your voice is not processed by third-party servers.
#5 Works with SharePlay
With the HomePod software version 15 you can also use SharePlay in combination with the HomePod, especially via Apple Music. With SharePlay you can watch series or listen to music with your conversation partner(s) during FaceTime, all synchronously. If you want to listen on the HomePod, you can do that with the latest software version. You then just use your iPhone to FaceTime.
We expect the HomePod software version 15 sometime this fall, along with iOS 15 and the other software updates. If you can't wait for the (possible) release in the Netherlands, you can already buy a HomePod. There are several ways to get the speaker from abroad.
More about iOS 15
iOS 15 is the major update for the iPhone and iPod touch. If you want to know whether your iPhone is suitable for iOS 15, you will find the answer in our article. We expect the official iOS 15 release in September/October 2021. Find out what else was announced during the keynote in our WWDC 2021 recap!] or read our very comprehensive iOS 15 preview.