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Apple Releases New 13.4 Software for HomePod

I cannot get this to install for the life of me. I've tried from both my iPhone and iPad. I hit install, it says installing & the spinny starts happening... but nothing happens.

FWIW both are on the GM and still have their beta profiles installed at first. I removed the profiles and tried again.

After unplugging the HomePods and plugging them back in (also having to rebuild my stereo pair), the Home app no longer says there's an update.
 
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Lerxt said:
Does it stop it randomly playing music at high volume in the middle of the night?
Click to expand...

I have three HomePods, including one I've had since release day. That has never happened to me. You may want to schedule a Genius Bar visit after the pandemic is over.
 
13.4 still doesn't work like it used to with Apple TV.

You can set your stereo pair as your output (the ATV HDMI connection does not uncheck).
Play a video on YouTube. Audio is from your HomePods.
Try playing WWE Network. Audio is from your TV.
Play a video on YouTube. Audio is still from your HomePods.
Put your ATV to sleep. Wake up.
Play a video on YouTube. Audio is now back to your TV, but your volume control is giving you the Airplay -> HomePods GUI, thus you can't change volume.

Why the @#$^ did I even buy these if Apple was going to break one of their main features in iOS 12 and never fix it?
 
CamiMR said:
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?
Click to expand...
It's honestly, hands-down the worst software implementation clobbered together that :apple: has come up with.
Setting it up is a PITA as it doesn't give access to iCloud's saved passwords or 1 password correctly, then u have to manually enter the details in after resetting the HomePod for the millionth time, very unlike :apple:
The home app is the worst place to have the volume controls, software update prefs etc. I just hate how I now have a gazillion options for setting where I want the sound with airplay 2 - why not just have it that the iPhone sounds just override anything else in your home until you say otherwise?.
There's been instances where I try to find myself with what I'm playing it's that confusing.
& yes Siri doesn't have a clue who the other half is, no that that's a bad thing!;)🤣.

& off-topic Airplay is still borked on iOS!:mad:🤬
 
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H3LL5P4WN said:
13.4 still doesn't work like it used to with Apple TV.

You can set your stereo pair as your output (the ATV HDMI connection does not uncheck).
Play a video on YouTube. Audio is from your HomePods.
Try playing WWE Network. Audio is from your TV.
Play a video on YouTube. Audio is still from your HomePods.
Put your ATV to sleep. Wake up.
Play a video on YouTube. Audio is now back to your TV, but your volume control is giving you the Airplay -> HomePods GUI, thus you can't change volume.

Why the @#$^ did I even buy these if Apple was going to break one of their main features in iOS 12 and never fix it?
Click to expand...

As a general rule, Apple seems to have given far too much control to aTV developers. Instead of tight limited APIs on how they respond to the remote control, and how they deal with audio, Apple seems to have allowed them to go as low-level as they wish. And unfortunately there are a lot companies going low-level without a clue as to how to actually do the job...

Maybe Apple needs to require entitlements to use those low-level APIs? Because I am almighty sick of this developer incompetence.
Not handling the remote correctly is common among my apps; handling audio mostly works correctly, except for the app Channels (which is otherwise a model citizen). That's why I think these are developer issues -- apps that are willing to use high level audio or remote APIs don't seem to have problems.
 
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I waited a day, installing now. I hope it fixes my “just a moment” after every single request. It never did that before, but has done it consistently since the previous update. When I first got My HomePods, a HomeKit Siri command immediately acted. “Hey Siri turn off the lights” immediately turned off the lights. Now, every action is preceded by “just a moment”.
I’ll report back if that gets fixed.

update: Not fixed 🤬
update 2: Resetting both HomePods to factory settings seems to have resolved this. There’s clearly a bug here that the update didn’t resolve. Hopefully it stays fixed.
 
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Yes update OK for what its worth ...


I really like the audio from HomePod, fills my room perfectly with other airplay speakers. The problem is that you can't play your own audio on it! I mean not directly accessing your locally shared iTunes (Music) is a joke ... remember AppleTV1 use to do this in 2007 and that was called a 'hobby' product!

By basically forcing people to subscribe to Apple Music to get any real benefit out the speakers is a scam. And while I'm at it, Apple Music on Homepod is so bad it should be free. If its not the latest pop music, Siri searches are rubbish. If you're set in English it can't find foreign language music.

If I have friends over, I play a Music playlist and target the HomePod and other airplay speakers. That way you don't look like an idiot on your phone or shouting at Siri in the middle of your dinner.

I find it works well for HomeKit and as an Airplay target. Pity it's not a real speaker.
 
I updated to 13.4 yesterday. Connection with Apple TV and Wifi seems improved thus far.
 
ceraz said:
...By basically forcing people to subscribe to Apple Music to get any real benefit out the speakers is a scam. And while I'm at it, Apple Music on Homepod is so bad it should be free. If its not the latest pop music, Siri searches are rubbish. If you're set in English it can't find foreign language music....
Click to expand...
So why did you buy it, if it's a scam?

If I have friends over, I play a Music playlist and target the HomePod and other airplay speakers. That way you don't look like an idiot on your phone or shouting at Siri in the middle of your dinner.
Click to expand...
Do any of your friends have products that have alexa or google assistant, that would think "you look like an idiot" when using Siri?

I find it works well for HomeKit and as an Airplay target. Pity it's not a real speaker.
Click to expand...
What is a real speaker?
 
MacRumors said:


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
Click to expand...
I just want the phone call feature to be fixed it never works and it's a shame because when it does its the best especially when I'm in the kitchen busy and need to talk to someone.
 
ceraz said:
Yes update OK for what its worth ...


I really like the audio from HomePod, fills my room perfectly with other airplay speakers. The problem is that you can't play your own audio on it! I mean not directly accessing your locally shared iTunes (Music) is a joke ... remember AppleTV1 use to do this in 2007 and that was called a 'hobby' product!

By basically forcing people to subscribe to Apple Music to get any real benefit out the speakers is a scam. And while I'm at it, Apple Music on Homepod is so bad it should be free. If its not the latest pop music, Siri searches are rubbish. If you're set in English it can't find foreign language music.

If I have friends over, I play a Music playlist and target the HomePod and other airplay speakers. That way you don't look like an idiot on your phone or shouting at Siri in the middle of your dinner.

I find it works well for HomeKit and as an Airplay target. Pity it's not a real speaker.
Click to expand...

Not true at all. I don't have Apple Music subscription and it plays my iTunes music fine.
 
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name99 said:
As a general rule, Apple seems to have given far too much control to aTV developers. Instead of tight limited APIs on how they respond to the remote control, and how they deal with audio, Apple seems to have allowed them to go as low-level as they wish. And unfortunately there are a lot companies going low-level without a clue as to how to actually do the job...

Maybe Apple needs to require entitlements to use those low-level APIs? Because I am almighty sick of this developer incompetence.
Not handling the remote correctly is common among my apps; handling audio mostly works correctly, except for the app Channels (which is otherwise a model citizen). That's why I think these are developer issues -- apps that are willing to use high level audio or remote APIs don't seem to have problems.
Click to expand...

While that could explain my issues with the WWEN and YouTube apps... that doesn't cover why the audio reverts signal to the HDMI connection while displaying the AirPlay on-screen control after a sleep/wake. I'm gonna report it again, though it seems fruitless.
 
Just updated to 13.4. I wasn't able to stream from Windows iTunes 12.10.5.12 to HomePod iOS 13.3.1 without it stopping after less than a minute. 13.4 seems to have fixed this. Whew.

edit: nope, still dropping out, but not as badly. I guess that's an improvement?
 
Love my HomePod. I don’t love though that it has no Bluetooth and I can’t even use it outside unless I run an extension cord. So, I keep my JBL charge 4 around for outdoor use.
 
why can't we pair more than 2 devices! With multiple good quality low output speakers it is possible to create an amazing audio experience. I'd buy 8 of them!
 
Doesn’t work. Tried installing from three different devices. Just goes “Requesting software” for a split second and then back to “Download and Install” :/
 
Mine was bricked after the update. Just got off the phone with Apple Support, since it's out of warranty, repair cost is almost the same as buying a new one!
 
Mine bricked itself whilst playing ambient sounds around midnight, walking me up with an abnormal “ambient” sound. After deciding to turn it off and go back to bed I’m not surprised to see that 13.4.1 was rolling out 😔.
 
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MikeX said:
why can't we pair more than 2 devices! With multiple good quality low output speakers it is possible to create an amazing audio experience. I'd buy 8 of them!
Click to expand...

It could come...
They are still developing the HomePod software, and a big feature like that would not be released as a dot release, it would be the headline feature for the next version of AudioOS.
 
has anyone has issues with HomePod staying connected to wifi? after the update this seems to happen everyday with no connection.
 
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