Apple Releases 14.4 Software for HomePod With New U1 Features for Mini

[MacRumors]

Apple today released a new 14.4 software update for the HomePod, with the update coming over a month after the 14.3 software release that brought performance improvements and bug fixes.

Today's update introduces new U1 Ultra Wide band functionality between the HomePod mini and devices that have a U1 chip like the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models.

Software version 14.4 includes bug fixes and the following new features with an Ultra Wideband (U1) equipped iPhone.
- Hand off music with visual, audible, and haptic effects from iPhone to HomePod mini
- Get personalized listening suggestions on iPhone when it is next to HomePod mini
- Media controls automatically appear without having to unlock iPhone when it is close to HomePod mini

The update adds visual, audio, and haptic effects when songs are transferred from a ‌HomePod mini‌ to a U1-enabled iPhone 11 or ‌iPhone 12‌. When an ‌‌iPhone‌‌ is near the ‌‌HomePod mini‌‌ it begins a soft haptic touch rhythm that gets faster and faster as the ‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌ gets closer until the interface to transfer a song between the ‌‌‌HomePod mini‌‌‌ and the ‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌ opens.

This functionality will make handoff quicker and more reliable on a ‌‌‌HomePod mini‌‌‌ and an ‌‌iPhone 11‌‌ or ‌‌iPhone 12‌‌, all of which are equipped with U1 chips that let the devices better understand where they are in relation to one another.

The update also adds personalized listening suggestions on iPhone when it is next to the HomePod mini and it causes media controls to automatically appear without having to unlock the iPhone when it is nearby the HomePod mini.

U1 chip functionality is unique to the HomePod mini and is not available on the standard HomePod because the HomePod does not have a U1 chip inside.

Article Link: Apple Releases 14.4 Software for HomePod With New U1 Features for Mini

 

[johnsc3]

HomePod mini can now be used as a stereo pair of computer desktop speakers with this update without any workarounds?

 

[ouimetnick]

HomePod mini can now be used as a stereo pair of computer desktop speakers with this update without any workarounds?

Thats a limitation of macOS, not the HomePod

 

[Kylo83]

Just tried it and it wasn’t smooth it didn’t always work and is quite slow

 

[Kylo83]

HomePod mini can now be used as a stereo pair of computer desktop speakers with this update without any workarounds?

No macos doesn’t allow airplay 2 as main output shocking it’s still not a thing

 

[Solver]

I'm guessing I can't transfer the music I'm listening on my HomePod mini to my Apple Watch 6 using the built-in U1 chip.

 

[jonnysods]

Very happy to see this - I love my Mini!

 

[NazgulRR]

Just tried it and it wasn’t smooth it didn’t always work and is quite slow

Same here.... :/

 

[johnsc3]

Thats a limitation of macOS, not the HomePod

Many thanks.

 

[JustinTG]

No macos doesn’t allow airplay 2 as main output shocking it’s still not a thing

I don’t understand this at all. This seems like a no brainer. There must be some kind of tactical thing that we’re not thinking of. If this were possible, I would buy at least two additional pairs. Especially with the big HomePods.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I like the idea of haptic feedback with music hand off etc.

 

[johnsc3]

Thats a limitation of macOS, not the HomePod

Many thanks

 

[rldunn]

This is the best update of the day. I saw the 2 other posts saying it wasn't smooth, but it's VERY smooth now on my end (HomePod mini and iPhone 12 mini), whereas it wasn't at all before.

 

[ouimetnick]

I’ll be curious to find out if HomePod stops hogging all of my internet bandwidth when not being used. I know other have reported this issue. I’ve submitted feedback, but Apple generally doesn’t listen

 

[Kylo83]

This is the best update of the day. I saw the 2 other posts saying it wasn't smooth, but it's VERY smooth now on my end (HomePod mini and iPhone 12 mini), whereas it wasn't at all before.

How did you get yours to get smoother

 

[k1121j]

this means a new HomePod is on the way since the mini is the only one with the cool featuers

 

[trip1ex]

doesn't' sound like those of us with big ones are missing anything.

 

[Apple_Robert]

this means a new HomePod is on the way since the mini is the only one with the cool featuers

You forgot the /s tag.

 

[chris4565]

I noticed that Siri is noticeably louder after the update. Anyone else noticed this, too?

 

[imola.zhp]

Have a homepod mini in my bathroom located on the right side of the sink/vanity.

House had 4 homepods playing music this morning, 2 mini's, 2 regulars all playing the same music.

My phone was laying on the left side of the sink/vanity, while brushing my teeth a notification came in. I picked up my phone with my left hand, unlocked it to view the notification. The app opened and shortly after that I got a notification that the music was being transferred from the homepod to the phone? Brushing with my right hand and viewing the phone with my left hand I did not swipe it away fast enough and all homepods stopped playing and the music started playing on my phone.

WTF?

So I tap the phone to the homepod and the music transfers back but only to that homepod, the other homepods in the house do not resume music. So I have to swipe down, going into control center to bring up the bathroom homepod and request that it play music on the other 3 homepods.

Awesome user experience Apple, so glad I have invested so heavily in your ecosystem.

/sarcasm
/rant

 

[480951]

I’ve been able to do the handoff/tap transfer feature with my iPhone XR since I got the HomePod Mini. I was certain this was an 11/12 feature only but it’s been working for me.

 

[Kylo83]

Have a homepod mini in my bathroom located on the right side of the sink/vanity.

House had 4 homepods playing music this morning, 2 mini's, 2 regulars all playing the same music.

My phone was laying on the left side of the sink/vanity, while brushing my teeth a notification came in. I picked up my phone with my left hand, unlocked it to view the notification. The app opened and shortly after that I got a notification that the music was being transferred from the homepod to the phone? Brushing with my right hand and viewing the phone with my left hand I did not swipe it away fast enough and all homepods stopped playing and the music started playing on my phone.

WTF?

So I tap the phone to the homepod and the music transfers back but only to that homepod, the other homepods in the house do not resume music. So I have to swipe down, going into control center to bring up the bathroom homepod and request that it play music on the other 3 homepods.

Awesome user experience Apple, so glad I have invested so heavily in your ecosystem.

/sarcasm
/rant

How did u get a plug in ur bathroom is it safe?

 

[CJ Dorschel]

So nothing really new on the HomePod front, just mini

 

[MauiPa]

HomePod mini can now be used as a stereo pair of computer desktop speakers with this update without any workarounds?

isn't that macOS?

 

[MauiPa]

No macos doesn’t allow airplay 2 as main output shocking it’s still not a thing

AirPlay 2 system requirements​

The following devices support streaming with AirPlay 2. If your device meets the requirements below, but you can't use AirPlay, learn what to do.

Devices you can stream audio from​

• iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 11.4 or later
• Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with tvOS 11.4 or later1
• HomePod with iOS 11.4 or later
• Mac with either iTunes 12.8 or later or macOS Catalina
• PC with iTunes 12.8 or later

AirPlay system requirements - Apple Support

Learn which devices support streaming with AirPlay.

support.apple.com

Shocking that it is a thing