Does this combination make the plant more appealing or the phone more appealing?
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Apple Releases New 11.4 Software for the HomePod Enabling Stereo Support, Multi-Room Audio Through AirPlay 2
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Does this combination make the plant more appealing or the phone more appealing?
Glad it’s finally launched; can’t quite verbalise it but audio sounds much better again-especially in stereo mode.
Good point. Just because the frequency response may be accurate—which is a high priority for most speaker manufacturers—doesn’t mean it sounds the way you want it to.
Apple does offer an equalizer function when using AirPlay streaming to the HomePod, so its not as if they don’t want the sound to be adjustable. It’s likely just a matter of it not being as high a priority as other features. Maybe it’ll come as a standalone update to HomePod firmware, or in conjunction with an upcoming release of iOS 11, or with iOS 12. Hard to guess, maybe someone will ask Apple and they’ll provide some info.
Quite a few customers, especially those that have used earphones at excessive volumes for too long, have extensive hearing loss. Apple has an excellent record for improvements related to accessibility, so I think it’s just a matter of time before Apple adds frequency response adjustability to HomePod natively, under Siri control, to accommodate this increasingly common disability.
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...A bit like trying to describe snooker on the radio... but can someone try and articulate/describe the differences they hear between a single HP and paired HP's? Trying to determine if it's worth a 2nd i.e. is it "meh", "marginally better" or more "oh my God!".
Any observations on placement?
Any observations on placement?
They fixed another huge problem - before the HomePod would disconnect from Apple TV when you asked it to play music, now it stays connected and shows what’s playing via notification (and screensaver) on the Apple TV. There’s no command you can issue that will disconnect it from ATV so it will stay connected until you manually disconnect or reboot either one.
Lots of improvements with the Apple TV connection, guess I’m not selling mine after all (gonna get 2 more I think - I hope they will someday be good enough to replace the HT system in the living room).
The only downgrade is no volume control via iOS remote - I wonder if that was on purpose because I see no reason to remove that.
Bring Airplay 2 to the watch now! I want to be able to continue playing what I was listening to in the whole house when I walk in the door without missing a beat, that’s the future!
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[doublepost=1527624067][/doublepost]Also music sounds more bassy than before, maybe they reverted the sound profile changes they made. Sounds as good as when it first came out to me.
Lots of improvements with the Apple TV connection, guess I’m not selling mine after all (gonna get 2 more I think - I hope they will someday be good enough to replace the HT system in the living room).
The only downgrade is no volume control via iOS remote - I wonder if that was on purpose because I see no reason to remove that.
Bring Airplay 2 to the watch now! I want to be able to continue playing what I was listening to in the whole house when I walk in the door without missing a beat, that’s the future!
[doublepost=1527623988][/doublepost]
I don’t know about for music but for video via Apple TV it should sound completely different since one HomePod was mono and had no positional audio.
[doublepost=1527624067][/doublepost]Also music sounds more bassy than before, maybe they reverted the sound profile changes they made. Sounds as good as when it first came out to me.
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But a full six days before iOS 13 will be announced (so they can go on stage and say: 'and with iOS 12 we shipped Airplay 2').
The release of new unannounced features (like Calendar support) on HomePod a week before WWDC doesn’t bode well for any further announcements for HomePod at the conference. It seems like they got all the announcements out of the way, including a date for availability in new countries.
I was hoping for a HomePod segment alongside iOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS but I get the feeling that they got all their HomePod announcements done before WWDC.
Hopefully, when demoing iOS 12, some features relevant to HomePod like an expansion of SiriKit, they’ll mention it’s availability on HomePod too.
I was hoping for a HomePod segment alongside iOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS but I get the feeling that they got all their HomePod announcements done before WWDC.
Hopefully, when demoing iOS 12, some features relevant to HomePod like an expansion of SiriKit, they’ll mention it’s availability on HomePod too.
Sound is down to the individual. For me stereo with the HomePod brings with it a much more fuller sound and fulls the room. One HomePod never produced stereo and it’s no good Apple pretending otherwise. This update moves the HomePod up a another level, that’s if you want that. Two HomePods £638 Uk, but they do produce the goods and from being a little disappointed I am how very happy with what I have.
"Hey Siri please play Rhiannon from Fleetwood Mac"
Wait a minute, now I have to say PLEASE to Siri?
I'm sorry, but no. Siri does not deserve my politeness. Not until she quits thinking that I'm at home instead of downtown needing to get to a business meeting (despite whether WIFI and Location Services are on); not until she quits refusing to understand me while I'm driving down the 5 Freeway and unable to use my phone's touchscreen; not until Siri APOLOGIZES for messing up an easy 50% of everything I ask her to do.
If Siri wants our politeness, she is going to have to earn it. No social niceties for pretend virtual reality assistants unless they just really do a great job.
When that happens, yes, I will say "please, Siri, would you kindly please play Rhiannon from Fleetwood Mac in the drawing room while I have tea, oh would you like a cup?
Not a minute before!
Wait a minute, now I have to say PLEASE to Siri?
I'm sorry, but no. Siri does not deserve my politeness. Not until she quits thinking that I'm at home instead of downtown needing to get to a business meeting (despite whether WIFI and Location Services are on); not until she quits refusing to understand me while I'm driving down the 5 Freeway and unable to use my phone's touchscreen; not until Siri APOLOGIZES for messing up an easy 50% of everything I ask her to do.
If Siri wants our politeness, she is going to have to earn it. No social niceties for pretend virtual reality assistants unless they just really do a great job.
When that happens, yes, I will say "please, Siri, would you kindly please play Rhiannon from Fleetwood Mac in the drawing room while I have tea, oh would you like a cup?
Not a minute before!
Ohh, I must try this. I assume that if you have the HomePod in the same room as the Apple TV you don't need to say living room? If so, I'm getting one for my living room
Also one more question; if I have a homePod and Apple TV in the same room and I ask Siri to play audio in that room, which source does it default to?
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It was not "mono" nor "stereo" but something in between.
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It doesn't produce mono either, so not sure wth you are talking about.
How can it possibly be 9 months late when the HomePod hasn’t even been on sale for 4 months?
Its the "bitching factor" added to everything Apple.
AirPlay 2 was announced as an Apple TV and iOS/tvOS 11 feature at WWDC '17. iOS/tvOS 11 launched in September, so the HomePod launch is really beside the point for ATV owners.
That's not a plant, that's a fake plant. Eww. Why one would bother wasting money on a plastic plant that does nothing but collect dust is beyond me. Real plants are much better and more fun (since you watch them grow and change). But eww responsibility amirite? /rant
Can you ask Siri to turn off an Apple TV with this update?
Alongside iOS 11.4, watchOS 4.3.1, and tvOS 11.4, Apple today released a new 11.4 software update designed for the HomePod, which introduces major new features for Apple's smart speaker.
This is the second update that's been released for the HomePod since it became available for purchase back in February.
The new HomePod software will be installed automatically on the HomePod after you update to iOS 11.4, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following the instructions in our HomePod software how to.
As Apple announced this morning, the new HomePod software, paired with iOS 11.4, introduces support for AirPlay 2 and HomePod stereo pairing.
AirPlay 2 is an updated AirPlay protocol that's simpler, more advanced, and more robust, enabling multi-room audio capabilities. With AirPlay 2, you can play music in any room to any room, move music from one room to another room, or play the same song in multiple rooms using an iOS device through an app or Control Center, the Apple TV, the HomePod, or Siri voice commands on any of the aforementioned devices.
AirPlay 2 controls can be accessed within any app and in the Control Center on an iOS device running iOS 11.4. In the Control Center, you will see a list of all of the available AirPlay 2 devices in your home, and you can effortlessly send audio to a single device, to multiple devices, or switch audio between devices.
The HomePod is the first AirPlay 2 device and one of the only AirPlay 2 devices on the market right now, but Apple plans to allow third-party speakers from companies like Sonos, Bose, Libratone, and more to add support for AirPlay 2.
Today's update also allows two HomePod speakers to be set up as a stereo pair, which is ideal for larger rooms as the arrangement offers up more room-filling sound. When paired, each HomePod is able to automatically adjust audio to take into account the other HomePod, for excellent sound from each device.
The HomePods are able to take advantage of the built-in A8 chip in each speaker to play a left or right audio channel while also separating out ambient and direct energy for what Apple says is an almost three dimensional soundstage.
Stereo pairing uses an Apple-designed wireless peer-to-peer direct link to allow the HomePods to communicate with one another and play music in sync. The two speakers will act as one when paired, and just one will respond to incoming Siri requests.
Setting up stereo sound is as simple as turning on a second HomePod. Whenever a second device is set up, you'll be prompted to form a stereo pair with a popup interface, with this information also available in the HomePod's settings in the Home app.
The new HomePod software also introduces one other small but important change -- it will allow users to check calendar appointments on the HomePod using Siri voice commands.
The HomePod is currently available only in the United States, the UK, and Australia, but Apple will expand availability to Canada, France, and Germany on Monday, June 18. While the HomePod is not launching in Canada, France, and Germany until mid-June, new languages, including Canadian English, French, and German are available on the HomePod starting today and are accessible through the HomePod settings in the Home app on an iOS device.
Article Link: Apple Releases New 11.4 Software for the HomePod Enabling Stereo Support, Multi-Room Audio Through AirPlay 2
I updated my HomePods remotely while I was in work, got home and updated my iPhone and have to say 11.4 is nice.
Do we REALLY have to go through the turmoil of another overhaul of iOS at WWDC? I'm really hoping iOS12 focuses solely on fixing bugs, making it more efficient and generally giving people more than 12 months to get used to an OS.
My $0.02
Do we REALLY have to go through the turmoil of another overhaul of iOS at WWDC? I'm really hoping iOS12 focuses solely on fixing bugs, making it more efficient and generally giving people more than 12 months to get used to an OS.
My $0.02
AirPlay 2 (literally) sounds beautiful.
Alongside iOS 11.4, watchOS 4.3.1, and tvOS 11.4, Apple today released a new 11.4 software update designed for the HomePod, which introduces major new features for Apple's smart speaker.
This is the second update that's been released for the HomePod since it became available for purchase back in February.
The new HomePod software will be installed automatically on the HomePod after you update to iOS 11.4, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following the instructions in our HomePod software how to.
As Apple announced this morning, the new HomePod software, paired with iOS 11.4, introduces support for AirPlay 2 and HomePod stereo pairing.
AirPlay 2 is an updated AirPlay protocol that's simpler, more advanced, and more robust, enabling multi-room audio capabilities. With AirPlay 2, you can play music in any room to any room, move music from one room to another room, or play the same song in multiple rooms using an iOS device through an app or Control Center, the Apple TV, the HomePod, or Siri voice commands on any of the aforementioned devices.
AirPlay 2 controls can be accessed within any app and in the Control Center on an iOS device running iOS 11.4. In the Control Center, you will see a list of all of the available AirPlay 2 devices in your home, and you can effortlessly send audio to a single device, to multiple devices, or switch audio between devices.
The HomePod is the first AirPlay 2 device and one of the only AirPlay 2 devices on the market right now, but Apple plans to allow third-party speakers from companies like Sonos, Bose, Libratone, and more to add support for AirPlay 2.
Today's update also allows two HomePod speakers to be set up as a stereo pair, which is ideal for larger rooms as the arrangement offers up more room-filling sound. When paired, each HomePod is able to automatically adjust audio to take into account the other HomePod, for excellent sound from each device.
The HomePods are able to take advantage of the built-in A8 chip in each speaker to play a left or right audio channel while also separating out ambient and direct energy for what Apple says is an almost three dimensional soundstage.
Stereo pairing uses an Apple-designed wireless peer-to-peer direct link to allow the HomePods to communicate with one another and play music in sync. The two speakers will act as one when paired, and just one will respond to incoming Siri requests.
Setting up stereo sound is as simple as turning on a second HomePod. Whenever a second device is set up, you'll be prompted to form a stereo pair with a popup interface, with this information also available in the HomePod's settings in the Home app.
The new HomePod software also introduces one other small but important change -- it will allow users to check calendar appointments on the HomePod using Siri voice commands.
The HomePod is currently available only in the United States, the UK, and Australia, but Apple will expand availability to Canada, France, and Germany on Monday, June 18. While the HomePod is not launching in Canada, France, and Germany until mid-June, new languages, including Canadian English, French, and German are available on the HomePod starting today and are accessible through the HomePod settings in the Home app on an iOS device.
Article Link: Apple Releases New 11.4 Software for the HomePod Enabling Stereo Support, Multi-Room Audio Through AirPlay 2
Out of curiosity, has anyone asked Apple Support about this? Seems a lot of us use the remote to control volume (I know I do), and not being able to is a huge issue.
Editing to add: Odd ... it seems to work for me, although the volume through the HomePod is lower than through the TV speakers.
I had the same problem. Unplugging for a few seconds and plugging the HomePod back in seemed to work for me.