Apple Plans to Let Public Beta Testers Download HomePod Software for the First Time

[MacRumors]

While Apple makes iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS betas available to its public beta testing group, the HomePod software updates that are beta tested are limited to a select group of invite-only testers. That's set to change with the latest round of betas, as Apple plans to let public beta testers test the HomePod 16 software.

On its Apple Beta Software Program website, Apple lists HomePod software version 16 as one of the betas that are coming to public beta testers later in the year. It is listed right alongside iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and tvOS 16.

New public betas for iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, tvOS 16, HomePod software version 16 and watchOS 9 are coming soon. As a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, you can take part in shaping Apple software by test-driving pre-release versions and letting us know what you think.

As of right now, there is no HomePod 16 software beta available to developers, so it is possible that Apple plans to release both a developer version and a public beta version later in the summer. Apple previously said that public beta testers will get access to the betas starting in July.

Article Link: Apple Plans to Let Public Beta Testers Download HomePod Software for the First Time

 

[CarAnalogy]

All HomePod software is beta.

 

[exoticSpice]

Please be careful with HomePod betas, they might kill you.

Yes, kill you with their bugs

 

[Sciomar]

I would never let a beta version touch my OG HomePods, some of the releases have been bricking them as is.

 

[bbednarz]

you gotta be a crazy person to put beta software on a HomePod. what features are even coming?

 

[notgonna]

Yes. A pushed GM update bricked 1 of mine. Not all, just one. Not unusual per forums; but, unheard of per Apple support.

If anyone has an Apple support case number to reference, who got a replacement warranteed, please send a PM.

 

[jav6454]

Incoming bricked HomePods.

 

[christian.terra]

article states no homepod beta for devs but it’s out.

 

[sorgo †]

article states no homepod beta for devs but it’s out.

I was able to install the profile on my mini, but it doesn’t seem to be working with my original HomePod

Never mind; got it working now

 

[Bmoreguy03]

Now this sounds like a BAD IDEA

 

[_Spinn_]

Good luck to those that try the beta.

 

[IamTimCook]

All I want from future HomePodOS is the ability to leave my HomePods in stereo paired config as the default speakers for my Mac.
Fairy inconvenient to have to reselect the HomePods as speakers after every wake from sleep or power on.
Apple please give me this. 🤓

 

[mxrider88]

Yeah sure. "Stable releases" brick it and can't even recognise my voice, imagine a beta. Are they listening to themselves?

 

[0194839]

They’ve found references to an unreleased HomePod hidden in the iOS16 beta code. It’s called “AudioAccessory6”. Hopefully it turns out to be a bigger HomePod instead of an upgraded mini.

 

[podycust]

I was able to install the profile on my mini, but it doesn’t seem to be working with my original HomePod

Never mind; got it working now

I don’t see it under downloads I see all the other betas

 

[thatguywill]

you gotta be a crazy person to put beta software on a HomePod. what features are even coming?

Yup, not a chance I'm touching this after the issues people complain about after a 'stable' update

 

[neliason]

You can’t convince me they had “invite only” or any other kind of beta testers for HomePod prior to this change.

 

[svish]

Good change. Hopefully will not cause much problems installing the beta.

 

[_Spinn_]

They’ve found references to an unreleased HomePod hidden in the iOS16 beta code. It’s called “AudioAccessory6”. Hopefully it turns out to be a bigger HomePod instead of an upgraded mini.

Now this is exciting. Hopefully we see news of this device sooner rather than later.

 

[Jgreg00]

All I want is that a timer I start on one HomePod will sync to the other HomePods in the house either by default or optionally.

 

[zapmymac]

Oh No! I’m already very hesitant to install updates on my O.G. HomePods as it is 🥺