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Apple Releases New HomePod 16.1 Software With Matter Support

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Alongside iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, macOS Ventura, tvOS 16.1, and watchOS 9.1, Apple today released new software that's designed for the HomePod and the HomePod mini.

HomePodandMini-feature-green.jpg

According to Apple's release notes, HomePod software version 16.1 includes support for the Matter smart home standard.
Software version 16.1 adds support for Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard that enables a wide variety of smart home accessories to work together across ecosystems. This update also includes performance and stability improvements.
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‌‌‌‌‌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 following the instructions in our HomePod‌‌ update how to.

Article Link: Apple Releases New HomePod 16.1 Software With Matter Support
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/10/24/apple-releases-homepod-16-1-software/
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Isn’t Matter only available on the HomePod mini?

the article makes it seem like both HomePods will get matter which is not true.

if it is true it needs to be detailed and made clear.
 
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efktd said:
Me: Hey Siri, play music everywhere.
Siri: Working on that.
Siri: Still Working.
Siri: I'm having problems connecting to the internet. For more info, check the home app.
Me: *Checks home app* ???
Click to expand...

When I check the home app, it says my UID or PSW is wrong on all of the HomePods (5 of them). I sign into each of them (PITA) and a few minutes later, the same message appears. I've submitted to Apple twice now with ZERO response. If 16.1 doesn't fix this, we're done. If it does fix it, I'll never update to a "XX.0" version again.
 
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Does this come with the prompt to update to the “improved HomeKit infrastructure” as mentioned at WWDC? My lights are very responsive with the Home app but using my HomePod shows enough lag that I notice it. I’m looking forward to this better HomeKit.
 
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applefanboysince93 said:
Do the OG HomePods support Matter? I’m guessing not considering the conspicuous absence in the release notes
Click to expand...

They don't have Thread built in so they'll only support Matter in that they'll seamlessly mesh in as peripherals in a Matter network to Apple devices though they cannot be nodes and can't be seen by other non-Apple Matter devices. The Matter standard doesn't support speakers yet anyway. Only the HomePod mini and new Apple TV have thread and can act as Matter nodes.

In practical terms:

1. You can use Siri on a HomePod 1.0 to control Matter devices in the network if you also have a HomePod mini or new Apple TV with Thread.
2. You can see your HomePod 1.0 in the network if you're on an iPhone/iPad/Mac.
3. Android phones cannot play to any HomePod (no speaker support in Matter)
4. HomePod 1.0 cannot be used to bridge the gap between Matter devices. It can only sit at the periphery of the network.
5. HomePod mini can act as a node to bridge to other Matter devices and act as an online hub to your Matter network when you're away. It can also be seen in a Matter network on Android but not as a speaker (again, no speaker support in Matter).
 
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ipedro said:
They don't have Thread built in so they'll only support Matter in that they'll seamlessly mesh in as peripherals in a Matter network to Apple devices though they cannot be nodes and can't be seen by other non-Apple Matter devices. The Matter standard doesn't support speakers yet anyway. Only the HomePod mini and new Apple TV have thread and can act as Matter nodes.
Click to expand...
Matter doesn't require Thread at all. It's a standard for Wifi smart home devices, as well. They could still be a Matter home hub (or whatever they're called) without a Thread radio. The low-end Apple TV 4k does exactly that.

But I don't think they get any Matter support. Frankly, I'm amazed they still get updates at all, being this old and this cancelled. Adding Matter support would have been a lot of work in an old codebase. And it looks like they didn't do it.
 
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efktd said:
Me: Hey Siri, play music everywhere.
Siri: Working on that.
Siri: Still Working.
Siri: I'm having problems connecting to the internet. For more info, check the home app.
Me: *Checks home app* ???
Click to expand...
Me: Hey Siri, play "Cuff It" by Beyoncé
Siri: Now Playing "Cuff I.T." by Beyoncé

Either dumb things like that, or "That couldn't be found in your music library."

If you do tell it to play an album in your library, half the time it plays the clean version that's not in your library. Just all around a terrible experience.

If it wasn't for the sound quality of the HomePods, I'd go back to the Amazon Echoes.
 
McJobs said:
How many OG HomePods will be bricked this time?
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I lost one of mine. I have six in total, the one that was part of a stereo pair is just showing blinking volume buttons and is not responding. According to Apple's support article I should try to hard reset it but removing it from my Apple Home didn't do anything disconnecting from power while holding the top of the HomePod while powering up is making the white spinning circle go red, but it never triggers a hard reset. It just ends up at the blinking volume buttons after a while regardless. :(

The remaining five updates just fine.
 
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