Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Releases HomePod Software 18.2 With Natural Language Search for Apple Music

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,867
39,833


Alongside iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, Apple today released new HomePod Software 18.2 that's designed for the HomePod and the HomePod mini.

HomePod-2-and-Mini-feature-1.jpg

The new HomePod software adds support for Apple Music natural language search, which means you can describe what you want to hear in more casual language.

You can ask Siri for music using different combinations of genres, moods, activity, decades, and more. Examples include "songs about cats," "songs with a vibe," "relaxing songs," "artists similar to Taylor Swift," "sad 80s songs," and "songs about food."

The update also improves Enhance Dialogue with the Apple TV 4K to make speech clearer over background sounds.
Software version 18.2 includes bug fixes and stability improvements.

Siri on HomePod is now integrated with Apple Music natural language search so you can describe what you want to hear using any combination of categories like genre, mood, decade or activity.

Enhance Dialogue on HomePod (2nd generation) when paired with Apple TV 4K gives you the option to hear speech more clearly over background sounds using real-time audio processing and machine learning.
Click to expand...
‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌ unless the feature is disabled‌‌‌‌, but the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ can also be manually updated in the Home app by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then selecting the Software Update option.

Article Link: Apple Releases HomePod Software 18.2 With Natural Language Search for Apple Music
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/12/11/homepod-software-18-2/
  • Love
Reactions: mdriftmeyer
This update added manual home hub selection for me. Previously no matter what I did I couldn’t get the option to populate.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SantaFeNM
Also this update removes phantom hubs!!! The device must be on 18 or newer to show both of these welcomed changes.
 
This is all well and good. But I bet it still won’t provide practically useful stuff. For example, sometimes, I’ll ask them to play a song and for some reason it’ll play a censored version, and I’ll ask it to play the explicit version and it plays the same song. Or I’ll ask Siri to play a song and it’ll play a live version for some reason and if you ask it to play a studio version or opt for a live version it has no idea what to do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EedyBeedyBeeps, zubikov, ascender and 2 others
Or when Siris voice response to a music request is very quiet. And then the music I asked to play comes out way too loud. This is has been occurring every morning for quite awhile. Also the steps in volume change via my voice is trash. Goes from too quiet, to too loud in one step. Apple made a big deal a few major releases ago about fixing that…
 
upandown said:
Or when Siris voice response to a music request is very quiet. And then the music I asked to play comes out way too loud. This is has been occurring every morning for quite awhile. Also the steps in volume change via my voice is trash. Goes from too quiet, to too loud in one step. Apple made a big deal a few major releases ago about fixing that…
Click to expand...
I have a Home automation that resets the media volume on the HomePod to medium level each morning.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: freedomlinux and upandown
upandown said:
Please send my way if possible
Click to expand...
In the Home app, Automation tab, create a new automation, event “A Time of Day Occurs”, next select your HomePod(s), next Media > Audio > “Adjust Volume Only” > “Set Custom Volume”.

It’s an automation that normally lets you play some media, optionally with custom volume setting, but also has an option to only set the volume without playing anything.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HDFan, EedyBeedyBeeps, RodThePlod and 1 other person
This one has ruined my whole entertainment setup.

Had absolutely no issues on 18.1

Now on 18.2 HomePods stereo setup connect to the wifi network fine but the minute I make it the default output devices for the appletv it disconnects from wifi…

Disable it being the default and the HomePods connect to the router again no issue
 
Last edited:
klasma said:
In the Home app, Automation tab, create a new automation, event “A Time of Day Occurs”, next select your HomePod(s), next Media > Audio > “Adjust Volume Only” > “Set Custom Volume”.

It’s an automation that normally lets you play some media, optionally with custom volume setting, but also has an option to only set the volume without playing anything.
Click to expand...
Thank you kindly. I will check to see if 18.2 fixed the issue but having that custom set no matter what sounds great.
 
After countless updates, HomePods still bring more frustration than joy in my household, and I’ve given up hope that any update will change that. Meaningful software updates will be reserved for the next generation. They’ll make grand promises during the keynote, spend three years gaslighting you into thinking you’re using it wrong, only to start the cycle over again.

I don’t need an other screen, I need it to work.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ignatius345
ignatius345 said:
I'm not holding my breath for mine to stop being as dumb as a bag of rocks. The number of times it fully bungles Home commands or even requests to play radio stations is deeply maddening.
Click to expand...
It can be maddening for sure. I have a simple Reminders shopping list set up. And because I have a Homepod Mini in the kitchen, I often say things like "Siri, add milk to the shopping list".

I'd say 60% of those types of requests work for me. The other times, Siri responds "One moment.... working on that.... one moment...." And then that's it. Siri goes silent and the item never gets added.

Really frustrating that seemingly basic functionality is so hit and miss - especially when you have a mate who hears it (as happened to me the other day) and who says "I see Siri's still a load of **** then!" 😏
 
  • Like
Reactions: ignatius345
RodThePlod said:
It can be maddening for sure. I have a simple Reminders shopping list set up. And because I have a Homepod Mini in the kitchen, I often say things like "Siri, add milk to the shopping list".

I'd say 60% of those types of requests work for me. The other times, Siri responds "One moment.... working on that.... one moment...." And then that's it. Siri goes silent and the item never gets added.

Really frustrating that seemingly basic functionality is so hit and miss - especially when you have a mate who hears it (as happened to me the other day) and who says "I see Siri's still a load of **** then!" 😏
Click to expand...
What kills me is the inconsistency. Sometimes my HomePod speaks too quietly, sometimes it yells. Sometimes the one in the kitchen I'm in just goes deaf and my request is answered from far away in the bedroom. Sometimes it just forgets what I mean when I ask it to turn lights on and off. Sometimes it understands "chicken soup", and sometimes it adds "chicken" and "soup" separately...
 
  • Like
Reactions: RodThePlod
Started my update last night and somehow it stalled. Cut power and restored to reboot. Waiting for successful install.

Anyone else have a similar issue?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back