The HomePod received brief shrift at Apple’s occasion yesterday, which ended with barely a point out of Apple’s dwelling speaker lineup.
Whereas we’re nonetheless ready for a rumored HomePod mini 2 to be introduced, Apple is launching a software program replace subsequent week which comes with two small enhancements to the HomePod expertise …
The software program model 26 replace contains a few modifications that make the HomePod higher at enjoying music, in addition to making it simpler to handle your WiFi community connection in Dwelling app settings. However right here’s the ‘huge modifications:
Apple Music Crossfade
The most important addition is the power to make use of Crossfade on HomePod for the primary time. This implies if you end up enjoying music utilizing Apple Music, you’ll be able to setup crossfade to transition easily from one tune to the subsequent. The tune that’s ending fades out as the subsequent tune fades in, enabling seamless and steady music playback.
After updating your software program, you’ll be able to allow Crossfade by opening the Dwelling app and navigating to Dwelling Settings -> Individuals -> (Your Title) -> Apple Music -> Crossfade. You may customise the crossfade period between 1 second and 12 seconds.
Sadly, assist for Apple’s fancy new AutoMix characteristic is lacking. Hopefully, this involves the HomePod at a later date.
Multi-room audio enhancements
The second enhancement is an growth of HomePod’s multi-room capabilities. As a reminder, when you’ve got multiple HomePod in your home, you’ll be able to play music to a number of audio system without delay. You are able to do this manually utilizing the UI on the iPhone.
In case you are enjoying on to the HomePod utilizing Apple Music, you should use voice instructions to start out multi-room classes. As an illustration, in case you are within the kitchen, you’ll be able to say ‘Additionally play this in the lounge’ to start out enjoying on two audio system concurrently, or ‘Play in all places’ to start out playback on the entire audio system in your home.
This has been doable since AirPlay 2 launched again in 2018. What’s new with the 2025 HomePod software program is that the voice controls for multi-room audio are increasing past Apple Music. Now you can use the voice instructions when enjoying any AirPlay stream on the HomePod. So, in case you are streaming Spotify to your HomePod in the lounge, now you can immediately ask it to “play this upstairs” and it’ll replace the AirPlay session to incorporate the extra audio system.
As a reminder, right here’s the sorts of issues you’ll be able to ask Siri to manage multi-room audio:
Play music in the lounge.
Play music in the lounge and the kitchen.
Play music in all places.
(when music is enjoying) Add the kitchen.
(when music is enjoying in one other room( Play music from the kitchen right here.
Transfer music to the (different room).
The brand new HomePod 26 software program replace is offered for HomePod mini and the massive HomePod. It launches publicly subsequent week, alongside all different new Apple OS updates, on September 15.
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