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Alongside iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1, Apple today released new software created for the HomePod and HomePod mini.

homepod-mini-color-bars.jpg

According to Apple's release notes, HomePod software version 16.2 adds performance and stability improvements, with no additional information. It's worth noting that alongside the new iOS and macOS updates, the HomePod software adds a new Home app architecture.

‌‌‌‌‌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 16.2 Software
 
I'll hope for the best.

When I first started using HomePod it was actually pretty good for timers and intercom. For the last 6 months or so, it has been getting worse and worse.

"Hey Siri, intercom everyone come down for dinner." - beep beep beep

Repeat - "Sorry, I don't know how to turn off the lights."

Repeat with angry tone - "I found some web results and can send them to your phone."

Repeat with angrier tone - "Nothing is currently playing."

Repeat with even angrier tone - "Volume set to 40%."

Repeat with even angrier tone - Sent sound effect

Kids show up wondering if they are in trouble.

You'd think over time it would get better if anything since it would learn our voices (that have been setup in Siri on our phones). Yet it struggles with the most basic requests. I wish I was joking about how bad she is, but that has been my family's experience.
 
I'll hope for the best.

When I first started using HomePod it was actually pretty good for timers and intercom. For the last 6 months or so, it has been getting worse and worse.

"Hey Siri, intercom everyone come down for dinner." - beep beep beep

Repeat - "Sorry, I don't know how to turn off the lights."

Repeat with angry tone - "I found some web results and can send them to your phone."

Repeat with angrier tone - "Nothing is currently playing."

Repeat with even angrier tone - "Volume set to 40%."

Repeat with even angrier tone - Sent sound effect

Kids show up wondering if they are in trouble.

You'd think over time it would get better if anything since it would learn our voices (that have been setup in Siri on our phones). Yet it struggles with the most basic requests. I wish I was joking about how bad she is, but that has been my family's experience.
For me there'd be an entry:

"%$^$^@#%^%^#%^#!&" - "I won't respond to that" :)
 
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Maybe I'm just really confused about the home pod. Why would there be bugs on the home pod? I barely use Siri on the Home Pod so maybe it doesn't impact me, but it's a speaker system. Why would I use Siri on the home pod and not on the phone or any other device. Maybe we need a thread about Homepod tips or how people use it at home because I use it as a TV speaker and I feel like I am missing out on a lot.
 
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Maybe I'm just really confused about the home pod. Why would there be bugs on the home pod? I barely use Siri on the Home Pod so maybe it doesn't impact me, but it's a speaker system. Why would I use Siri on the home pod and not on the phone or any other device. Maybe we need a thread about Homepod tips or how people use it at home because I use it as a TV speaker and I feel like I am missing out on a lot.
I use it for music, automations, and HomeKit. Siri for playing white noise/ weather etc
 
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Is there anything I have to do to get the new Home app architecture? I remember seeing some screenshots regarding this during Beta testing. Is it now automatic?
 
As is traditional for these pieces of crap, my one Homepod Mini is updating to 16.2, the other is updating to 16.1.

Edit: After updating to 16.1, it's showing 16.2 as being installed. These are, without a doubt, the most infuriating devices that Apple has ever released.

This is an UI bug that have been affecting the home app for ages.

The Home app, that thing where you toggle one switch off and it will switch back on on its own.
 
Is there anything I have to do to get the new Home app architecture? I remember seeing some screenshots regarding this during Beta testing. Is it now automatic?

No. Its opt-in. Update your main IOS device to 16.2. Then go to the software updates tab of the home app. Tap on it, and you will see a blurb there saying that there is an update available for your home. Dont do it if you have any device in your house which cannot be updated to 16.2 or Mac OS Ventura 13.1, because they will be kicked out from your home and incapable of even access the home app again. That´s why its optional.
 
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Wow. AirPlay has gotten so much faster. I have 4 HomePods throughout my home and I've gotten used to the lag between selecting multiple speakers and them playing. Selecting each one happens almost instantly now.

Still pretty amazing how a discontinued device continues to get updates years later and works better than when it was discontinued.
 
I'll hope for the best.

When I first started using HomePod it was actually pretty good for timers and intercom. For the last 6 months or so, it has been getting worse and worse.

"Hey Siri, intercom everyone come down for dinner." - beep beep beep

Repeat - "Sorry, I don't know how to turn off the lights."

Repeat with angry tone - "I found some web results and can send them to your phone."

Repeat with angrier tone - "Nothing is currently playing."

Repeat with even angrier tone - "Volume set to 40%."

Repeat with even angrier tone - Sent sound effect

Kids show up wondering if they are in trouble.

You'd think over time it would get better if anything since it would learn our voices (that have been setup in Siri on our phones). Yet it struggles with the most basic requests. I wish I was joking about how bad she is, but that has been my family's experience.
This right here winner winner by the time I’m on attempt 4 my kid comes and said I heard you screaming that dinner was ready
 
I use it for music, automations, and HomeKit. Siri for playing white noise/ weather etc

I too use it for music on occasion, but couldn't you use any device for automations? I'm not in the home automation game so I really don't know much about it (I don't know if I should take advantage of the new home architecture thing or not) but I might be in a few months. I'm just trying to wonder why a speaker would have bugs and what bugs those could be.
 
Maybe I'm just really confused about the home pod. Why would there be bugs on the home pod? I barely use Siri on the Home Pod so maybe it doesn't impact me, but it's a speaker system. Why would I use Siri on the home pod and not on the phone or any other device. Maybe we need a thread about Homepod tips or how people use it at home because I use it as a TV speaker and I feel like I am missing out on a lot.
For me, I have two minis -- one at my desk and one next to my reading chair.

My favorite thing about them (this applies to any smart speaker) is that it prevents me from getting distracted -- I can use Siri to do what I need without ever looking at a screen, which almost always ends in me getting sidetracked.

I use them mainly to control my smart lights, and having Siri on them allows me to nearly instantly (when they want to work!!) change scenes, lights, automations, etc depending on what I'm doing (for example, when I watch TV, I have Hue Play Bars add some ambient light behind my speakers, when I'm studying at my desk, the lights near and on my desk turn on and everything else off).

This way, I don't have to use my phone to change lights and scenes which saves time. As well, I don't always have my phone or another device near me to do it.

As well, they come with built in ambient noises so I use the "fireplace" sound (hey Siri, play fireplace sounds) when I'm studying or need to focus. I also use Siri to define words as I'm studying or reading.

I sometimes use them as timers as well.

I used to use them as speakers with AppleTV and they were great! I was able to use them to adjust the volume, play/pause and the like, but don't watch TV enough so decided they'd be better used where they are now.

Rarely I use them to quickly send a text or to make a quick phone call while not needing to stop what I'm doing or look at anything. It's especially helpful when I'm in bed haha
 
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I too use it for music on occasion, but couldn't you use any device for automations? I'm not in the home automation game so I really don't know much about it (I don't know if I should take advantage of the new home architecture thing or not) but I might be in a few months. I'm just trying to wonder why a speaker would have bugs and what bugs those could be.
I'm just guessing here, but from my experience the bugs come from 1) Siri not being reliable and constantly misunderstanding what I'm asking, or doing something I didn't ask, and 2) the Home architecture is very messy (waiting for my devices to currently update so I can try out the new architecture) and causes the issues in 1.

I have "dumb" speakers, one set is from 2001, that still work perfectly and will likely continue to work for many years to come. These can basically never get bugs other than dead components -- whereas the HomePod is a speaker with many extra software features built in
 
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As is traditional for these pieces of crap, my one Homepod Mini is updating to 16.2, the other is updating to 16.1.

Edit: After updating to 16.1, it's showing 16.2 as being installed. These are, without a doubt, the most infuriating devices that Apple has ever released.
Same. I don’t see how they released something so janky. Not to mention they’re completely reliant on Siri which is so far behind Google’s and Amazon’s assistants.
 
No. Its opt-in. Update your main IOS device to 16.2. Then go to the software updates tab of the home app. Tap on it, and you will see a blurb there saying that there is an update available for your home. Dont do it if you have any device in your house which cannot be updated to 16.2 or Mac OS Ventura, because they will be kicked out from your home and incapable of even access the home app again. That´s why its optional.
Thanks so much. I wonder why I saw no article with a great explanation as you gave. I did the update now. I got an HomePod error message that my Apple ID password is wrong but luckily it disappeared after a few seconds.
 
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