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Alongside iOS and iPadOS 13.4, Apple has released new 13.4 software for the HomePod, with minor under-the-hood changes and no notable new features.

homepod-duo.jpg

According to Apple's release notes, HomePod Software Version 13.4 includes "general improvements for stability and quality" with no other details.

The new ???HomePod??? software will be installed automatically on the ???HomePod???, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following the instructions in our HomePod software how to.

Article Link: Apple Releases New 13.4 Software for HomePod
 
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Will there be a Homepod 2? Or is this going to be relegated to the small list of Apple's unsuccessful product launches over the past 20+ years?
 
Seriously where the hell is HomePod Mini? I don’t even care about sound quality. I literally just want a ‘Hey Siri’ device in two rooms. I’ll even settle for HomePod Shuffle with no speakers.
 
Can anyone give me a sound quality comparison between this and Bose’s “Portable Home Speaker”?
 
Who has updated successfully? I don’t trust updates on things that can’t be restored from Apple anymore. They clearly haven’t a clue how to perform development given last October’s mishap and bricking.
 
Let's hope for an Homepod 2
But to be honest the only problem is Siri
All improvements that matter for HomePod are software and price. Only make sense to have a HomePod mini as it make sense to have a cheaper Apple TV.
 
Seriously where the hell is HomePod Mini? I don’t even care about sound quality. I literally just want a ‘Hey Siri’ device in two rooms. I’ll even settle for HomePod Shuffle with no speakers.

It might happen, I suppose, but honestly I think Apple considers iPhone and Apple Watch to be your "no-speakers-hey-siri' devices.
 
Updated with no problems but I hate to be that guy... Did the sound signature change?

It doesn’t sound as full or as if it’s not adjusting the sound for the room..
 
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Multi user voice recognition has never worked for my partner even after all previous updates...
Anyone with the same issue, is it now resolved with this version?
 
Please let it finally fix the most basic ability to play podcast's to it and actually remember where you stop during it. They broke bookmarking multiple releases ago and it is so annoying to play music through it now.
 
Will there be a Homepod 2? Or is this going to be relegated to the small list of Apple's unsuccessful product launches over the past 20+ years?
Let's hope for an Homepod 2
But to be honest the only problem is Siri

I wouldn't put it like that. The problem is not EXACTLY Siri, the problem is that the HomePod team don't understand what they are doing.
They seem to think that their job is to reproduce an Amazon Echo. But that's NOT their job; their job is to create the high-end audio part of the Apple Personal Compute Cluster.
This means PERFECT integration with the rest of your Apple devices, not half-assed random integration.

For example, EVERY Siri request I could make to my watch or my iPhone should work on a HomePod. No stupid nonsense of "I can't do that". If the request requires location, use my phone for location. If the request requires a screen, throw the output up on an appropriate screen (generally the apple TV screen, but if that's not available, maybe a mac screen, maybe an iPhone screen).

For example why is the Apple Watch integration so lame? Why is it kinda random whether I can or can't control HomePod volume from my Apple Watch depending on precise details of exactly where the speaker audio is coming from?

Even the aTV integration is subpar. The technically hard part is magnificent, and done well. But the UI for setting it up is a complete disaster. And when I control volume for my aTV the ENTIRE volume should change, both my TV volume and Homepod volume, not just the TV volume.

Think of yourself as part of Apple, not as "just a speaker"!!!
 
Hopefully this improves reliability with Home. My HomePod acts as the hub for my house but constantly glitches out and tells me I need to update the version to work with automation. I’ve reset the thing so many times I’ve lost count. Works for a week and then dies out again.
 
All improvements that matter for HomePod are software and price. Only make sense to have a HomePod mini as it make sense to have a cheaper Apple TV.

No thanks. I'd rather higher quality soundbars or woofers added to this product lineup to boost the 'Others' category. HomePod actually allows for Apple Lossless or Hi-Res audio to be streamed - unlike Sonos (yet I think 2mths from now they're working on that) and Spotify.

I've given Spotify a chance and I must say for EDM and other electro music genres as well as Hip-Hop their algorithms work a LOT better than Apple Music. I'm not paying for it though ... I'll await to see the latest artist payouts between Apple and Spotify.

Apple needs to bolster their Music service ... I'd like to see more interviews, historical convo's of artists, seeing artist work or collaborate on upcoming musical works. I want to see artists create (if they're more willing). This gives me a replacement for Album insert art, etc. Especially in this time ... music can heal. I don't want to listen to crap quality while being stuck at home.


Mine update successfully. YMMV.

Mine is currently updating and I have faith it'll complete without issue.
 
Does it stop it randomly playing music at high volume in the middle of the night?
 
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