Apple Pulls HomePod Software 18.1 Beta 2 Following 'Bricking' Complaints

[Moukee]

Honestly curious—why does anyone install HomePod betas? There's effectively nothing to develop for, and Apple hasn't added significant features in years. Just doesn't seem remotely worth the risk.

The only significant update I remember is when they switched to the new HomeKit architecture. That was with iOS 16.1 or something.

I don't think I upgraded to beta software on my HomePods for that, but I did manually update to the new architecture once it released, even though they pulled the ability to so so shortly after because it bricked many people's home setups (requiring it to be setup from scratch again). Worked fine for me and was better then ever in terms of responsiveness and reliability.

 

[sw1tcher]

There’s a reason he’s getting paid in millions a year and not thousands. It’s his job to make sure it’s a smooth sail. And a well-functioning software out the door is part of his responsibilities.

It looks like you misspelled "sale"

 

[nt5672]

Yeah. I figured these types of issues are beneath him. More for the software managers/VP.

However, now that Apple is 2-0 undefeated in bricking its own products, I imagine Tim will be CC'd on the emails going forward.

ADD TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOW 1-WEEK IN WITHOUT AN IPADOS 18 RE-RELEASE

Nope, CEO's only keep around subordinates that are doing what the CEO expects. These subordinates are being told to just get it done and don't confuse the CEO with details he does not understand like QA, development cycles, etc.

 

[DonutHands]

Sure its beta software, but at beta the code should be nearly ready to be released, not in a state that can brick a device.

 

[I7guy]

Two thoughts:

1. A beta at a minimum should install
2. It’s a beta

 

[I7guy]

Nope, CEO's only keep around subordinates that are doing what the CEO expects. These subordinates are being told to just get it done and don't confuse the CEO with details he does not understand like QA, development cycles, etc.

We know that’s the case with apple that Tim understands none of this.

 

[Böhme417]

How about we stop using the term “bricking” for a temporary issue? Bricking implies permanently broken. The article says the HomePod can be fixed by restoring. Ergo, not bricked. The M4 iPad requiring a full hardware replacement—yes, bricked.

 

[xiJulian_]

Honestly curious—why does anyone install HomePod betas? There's effectively nothing to develop for, and Apple hasn't added significant features in years. Just doesn't seem remotely worth the risk.

well if no one did, this would've probably shipped with the public release

 

[goodcow]

You obviously have no idea what the day to day responsibilities of a CEO of a company of this magnitude entails. The idea that he would be involved in this level of detail is preposterous.

Steve probably would be. Or if not, would've fired the managers in charge of QA after the first bricking.

 

[Unity451]

iOS 18/Sequoia has got to be one of the worst round of Apple software updates in a very long time. Steve would've never let this fly. People would be getting fired, executives included.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Hair Force One is delicious to look at, but he’s failing the OS quality.

 

[salz4life]

Now this is getting ridiculous. From iPadOS 18 to HomeOS. Seriously do your jobs. Your getting paid over $200K/year for incompetence.

I still haven't downloaded iOS on my 2020 IPad Pro because of the issues. I'm sure it's fine now, but I'm just gun shy. LOL

 

[Rychiar]

it's a beta that adds nothing to a product anyways. I don't know who this stuff is for

 

[vbctv]

The update bricked all 4 of my minis. It actually installed quickly and smooth on my OG HomePod.
I couldn't do anything on the minis, over an hour of just saying installing. Screens were dead, couldn't reset. Plugged them into my Mac and wouldn't even read them.
Finally after an hour of being unplugged, they were able to be restored as the Mac finally read them after a few plug-ins and unplugs.
I'm thinking the reason they wouldn't read or restore until after being unplugged for a while is maybe they were overheated from the bad update or something like that?

 

[MacBookPro88]

iPad OS now this lol

 

[TechnoMonk]

I only install beta for development reasons. Only device that is running developers beta is my iPad Pro.

 

[btrach144]

Honestly curious—why does anyone install HomePod betas? There's effectively nothing to develop for, and Apple hasn't added significant features in years. Just doesn't seem remotely worth the risk.

Thank goodness people have though. That way we reduce the risk of launch day updates bricking people.

It’s been a few years since a launch day HomePod update has bricked devices.

 

[macmac30]

Honestly curious—why does anyone install HomePod betas? There's effectively nothing to develop for, and Apple hasn't added significant features in years. Just doesn't seem remotely worth the risk.

And they do nothing but piss off my wife by Siri forgetting who she is...Siri, add milk to the shopping list..."Who's speaking?" Oh man, that pisses her off to no end and yes, "recognize my voice" in the Home app is enabled for her.

 

[macmac30]

I think we all update to these HomePod betas because, deep down, we secretly hope these beta updates will make Siri less of an embarrassing dumbf*ck than she currently is.

 

[DeftwillP]

Honestly curious—why does anyone install HomePod betas? There's effectively nothing to develop for, and Apple hasn't added significant features in years. Just doesn't seem remotely worth the risk.

At this point now, don't we all just get to a point where our homepods work on any certain OS, and then hope that another fw upgrade never comes again.....only for it to happen a few weeks later thus breaking some very common feature?

 

[mcru21]

Apple fell off 😔

 

[Lioness~]

This is why I don't install betas.

I think we all update to these HomePod betas because, deep down, we secretly hope these beta updates will make Siri less of an embarrassing dumbf*ck than she currently is.

It won't happen.
There's only one way to deal with Siri, turn it off everywhere.
it also increace your own intelligence when you don't have put up with what isn't intelligent.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Honestly curious—why does anyone install HomePod betas? There's effectively nothing to develop for, and Apple hasn't added significant features in years. Just doesn't seem remotely worth the risk.

Yeah exactly. Just wait until release day to be disappointed like the rest of us.

 

[Ivander]

This is a feature, not a bug.

 

[FloatingBones]

Finally! Bricking a product that has an appropriate form factor.

HomePod Minis could definitely be used as bricks.
Full-size HomePods would work well as cinder blocks.
Mac Minis would work well, too.