Apple Releases 14.2 Software for HomePod With New Siri, Intercom and Home Theater Features

[MacRumors]

Alongside iOS and iPadOS 14.2, Apple today released new 14.2 software for the HomePod, which includes support for new Siri and Intercom features. Today's update comes a couple of weeks after the release of HomePod 14.1 software.

With the update, Siri can now provide a personal snapshot of each HomePod user's day, offering up news information, weather, traffic, reminders, and more when asked "What's my update?"

Intercom now supports iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay, and the full-size HomePod can be connected to an Apple TV 4K for immersive sound. Apple's full release notes for the update are below:

Software version 14.2 includes support for new Siri, Intercom, and Home Theater features. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.

- Ask Siri "What's my update?" to hear a personal snapshot of your day that includes the news, weather, traffic, reminders, and calendar appointments.

- Intercom using iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay.

-Connect HomePod to Apple TV 4K and enjoy stereo, surround sound, and Dolby Atmos audio. Add a second HomePod for a more immersive soundstage.

‌‌HomePod‌‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌, but the ‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌ can also be manually updated by following the instructions in our ‌‌HomePod‌‌ update how to.

Article Link: Apple Releases 14.2 Software for HomePod With New Siri, Intercom and Home Theater Features

 

[Jeaz]

Looking forward to see how well this home theatre setup with Atmos works.

 

[zirosky]

Still no news on third party music services integration...?!

 

[Brenster]

Looking forward to see how well this morning theatre setup with Atmos works.

Yep. Wondering if the Surround and Atmos features means some sort of virtualised surround field (spatial audio on Airpods Pro is staggering the first time you hear it), or merely that the Homepods can accept multichannel audio signals and make a sound as opposed not being able to handle the input and not making a sound.

 

[appleguy123]

Does anyone know yet if Dolby Atmos works with Homepods if you don’t have a TV that is capable of Atmos processing? If you can that would justify an Apple TV update for me.

 

[LeonPro]

Apple really delaying the release of official Spotify support. I guess they really hate them that much.

 

[Rychiar]

so do ya need like 4 HomePods to make it legit? woulda been nice if this worked with the mini

 

[ClockWork72]

I thought you could Intercom to specific rooms in the Home app. Doesn’t look like that’s the case tried it and it sends the audio message to all my HomePods.

 

[Diode]

So does this update finally allow you to choose the source of your music rather then only Apple Music?

 

[ClockWork72]

I thought you could Intercom to specific rooms in the Home app. Doesn’t look like that’s the case tried it and it sends the audio message to all my HomePods.

Just figured it out you have to go to that specific room in the app to send a message only to that room.

 

[starman111]

Does anyone know yet if Dolby Atmos works with Homepods if you don’t have a TV that is capable of Atmos processing? If you can that would justify an Apple TV update for me.

I'm not positive, because I haven't tried this yet. However, the audio is sent directly from the Apple TV to the HomePods wirelessly, completely bypassing your television. I don't think your TV has to know anything about Atmos.

This is also how it works with most home theater receivers. The receiver is responsible for processing the Atmos sound and doing something with it. The television model is irrelevant.

 

[RFolk]

Does anybody knows if the HomePod works without delay with Apple TV 4K ?

 

[Miles Teg]

I am looking forward to not having to select the hompod as a sound source each time I watch my TV.

 

[eksu]

I had to remove the beta profile to go from 14.2 beta to release.

 

[GadgetBen]

Where's the guide on how to setup surround sound for Apple 4K TV? Or is this only for new homepods?

 

[defean]

Does anyone know yet if Dolby Atmos works with Homepods if you don’t have a TV that is capable of Atmos processing? If you can that would justify an Apple TV update for me.

I would *assume* that will work. The connection for the (Atmos) sound is between the Apple TV and the Homepods. The TV is only displaying the picture through HDMI, while the sound output/format is negotiated between the Apple TV and the Homepods. But it won't take long, before somebody will test that and we'll know for sure.

 

[RickInHouston]

Yep. Wondering if the Surround and Atmos features means some sort of virtualised surround field (spatial audio on Airpods Pro is staggering the first time you hear it), or merely that the Homepods can accept multichannel audio signals and make a sound as opposed not being able to handle the input and not making a sound.

Yes, by all means, put on yellow tinted glasses to view the Mona Lisa and be amazed at how different it is.

 

[Brenster]

Yes, by all means, put on yellow tinted glasses to view the Mona Lisa and be amazed at how different it is.

More a matter of interest from my side. Already got an Atmos AVR plus 5.1.2 speaker setup, with ATV 4K & UHD BluRay Atmos & DTS-X content playing back quite happily on it. With the the HomePods, my interest is academic - my solitary HomePod sits in the dining room well away from any TV.

For those that presently use a stereo pair of Homepods for Apple TV audio playback, the answer will be of greater interest/importance.

 

[odHbo]

Deleted

 

[Macsterguy]

Now that I have spent a small fortune on a new LG OLED 77 inch TV and a Sonos Arc, Bass for the living room and a Sonos Beam for Master Bedroom. ALL IN THE LAST WEEK!!! Here comes Apple FINALLY doing Home Theater - Sheeeeeeesh

 

[schlitzz]

Yep. Wondering if the Surround and Atmos features means some sort of virtualised surround field (spatial audio on Airpods Pro is staggering the first time you hear it), or merely that the Homepods can accept multichannel audio signals and make a sound as opposed not being able to handle the input and not making a sound.

Agreed. But I sent my Homepods to the bedroom TV, old 1080p, with the ATV HD. I went Sonos, Arc, One SL's, and the Sub. That's being driven by the ATV 4K and a 2019 Vizio with HDMI Arc. I LIKE the design and functionality that both 'Pods bring. But I'm not really going to try this out in the other room. TV and box to replace. Still an option for a lot of people with existing hardware.

 

[john.burn]

I can’t see the option anywhere to enable atmos or any sort of home theatre / surround sound... have 2 homepods in a stereo pair etc.

 

[odHbo]

Does anyone know yet if Dolby Atmos works with Homepods if you don’t have a TV that is capable of Atmos processing? If you can that would justify an Apple TV update for me.

To answer your question, yes.

Your TV does not decode Atmos unless you’re using a built in App on your TV (IE the Apple TV app). If you have an Apple TV 4K, that does all of the processing.

 

[waigx]

Just tested on my Apple TV 4k and HomePods Pair.
I cannot find any explicit option in the Settings that turns “Dolby” audio on, nor can I find any in Apple support pages.

 

[Yusuf Raza]

Just tested on my Apple TV 4k and HomePods Pair.
I cannot find any explicit option in the Settings that turns “Dolby” audio on, nor can I find any in Apple support pages.

same here.