HomePod 15 Beta Software Adds Lossless Audio Support

[dfwiddoc]

Superslueth!!




How is this article wrong? It clearly states "it appears that the update introduces Lossless Audio support for the HomePod and the HomePod mini." it appears doesn't necessarily means it IS there, maybe something in Apple's released log file or mention of this Beta says about Lossless being introduced, not supported (never mind even fully or partially to some expectation), just 'introduced. Kinda like Apple introduces the iPhone, any Mac but it's not shipping or able to be purchased or take home 'same day'. We can see pictures or the product placement in a video but not first hands-on even in the store. This article also states available later this year, which to me means - don't bother even dreaming about it as we're in the 6th month of the year so 'later this year' is end of the year. Just my take on this.

The article is “wrong” because it claims that lossless has been restored in AudioOS beta 3, when it fact it is not. On multiple Apple-specific websites that also reported this, I have yet to find one verified user who has seen a lossless toggle restored on beta 3.

Are you attempting to get meta on the definition of “wrong”, or do you have some other conflict of interest compelling you to gaslight the rest of us?

 

[DeepIn2U]

The article is “wrong” because it claims that lossless has been restored in AudioOS beta 3, when it fact it is not. On multiple Apple-specific websites that also reported this, I have yet to find one verified user who has seen a lossless toggle restored on beta 3.

Are you attempting to get meta on the definition of “wrong”, or do you have some other conflict of interest compelling you to gaslight the rest of us?

I wasn't gaslighting anyone.

Just the title of the article (which I was corrected on) conflicted with the details within the article. Nobody just reads the title of any news and just runs with it (we're grown), just perception is varied thing between many people. I was simply stating the difference in perception which forms our opinions as the article stated the word 'seems' (almost like a correction to the titles absolute, at least that how I saw it).

I'm obviously in the minority and if you read someone elses reply there is no need to beat me down further unless you need to get meta on me for disagreeing. oh well.

 

[Karma*Police]

Wow, I’ve never thought I’d find someone thinking just like me. Apple knows for a couple of years at least that lossless Apple Music was coming why don’t they add a wire port to AirPods Max? Yes, I know they want to push spatial audio but it’s better to cover everything especially with product at this price. Talks about a fail in design.

You can connect it via wire... there's a lightning port and you can connect it to analog sources using a lightning to 3.5. The limitation has more to do with how the cable converts analog to digital. It's definitely an oversight on Apple's part.

 

[matrix07]

You can connect it via wire... there's a lightning port and you can connect it to analog sources using a lightning to 3.5. The limitation has more to do with how the cable converts analog to digital. It's definitely an oversight on Apple's part.

Yeah, that was more “a way to charge the Max or to connect to something when you need wired” rather than “we should have this to get the best out of all Apple Music will offer”, I think.

 

[vbctv]

And just like that it's gone following another beta update 2 days later. This newer update better not break what was fixed...

 

[dfwiddoc]

You can connect it via wire... there's a lightning port and you can connect it to analog sources using a lightning to 3.5. The limitation has more to do with how the cable converts analog to digital. It's definitely an oversight on Apple's part.

Unfortunately, that “wire” was the ultimate in a misleading, arguably cynical last-minute tack on to give users the false impression that they have an alternative, hi-res option. As I suspect you’re already aware, the AirPods Max has a built-in AD converter (bizarre), and that lightning port only receives a analog signal that it reconverts back to a digital signal—that tops out at 48 kHz (similar to the iPhone’s internal DAC limitations). Why Apple chose this configuration for that port remains a mystery—it’s really only useful as a charging port.

I’ve seen quite a few folks try to rig the thing via various (rogue) aftermarket lightning adapters to plug into their external hi res DACs, ruinously (one guy told me that he managed to fry his Max in the process).

For the outlandish price of the Max, which is well into the audiophile range, that lightning port should have been a balanced, analog input capable of handling the highest tiers of PCM and DSD signals. Unfortunately it appears that with the hardware configuration of the Max, the only way folks will get to enjoy their library of FLAC files or hi res streaming services (including Apple’s!) will be if Apple designs their own proprietary high bandwidth lossless Bluetooth codec—and even then they’ll need external DACs that have Bluetooth capabilities that support it.

And given Apple’s propensity for maintaining closed ecosystems, I’m guessing that will mean buying one of their own future licensed DAC options—and since they’ve gone on record that Spatial Audio far outweighs their interest in lossless functionality, I’m betting that any DAC they invest in will shortchange those of us who care about things like DSD or high sampling rates. :/

 

[dfwiddoc]

And just like that it's gone following another beta update 2 days later. This newer update better not break what was fixed...

Yep, and this one doesn’t include a lossless audio toggle either.

 

[dfwiddoc]

Hmm.. somebody has different experience it seems

https://twitter.com/x/status/1414628456277712905

https://twitter.com/x/status/1414628633885515777

I’m using HomeKit and I haven’t found any (big) issue so far. I guess every platforms have their own issues. Yes, Amazon might have more smart devices to choose from but HomeKit ain’t bad at all.

Well, you’re lucky. My experience with HomeKit has been considerably more frustrating, and I don’t think I’m alone. I have a fairly standard collection of popular devices (an Ecobee thermostat, Hue and Lutron Caseda lighting, a MyQ garage opener, a Rachio sprinkler system, a Ring Video Doorbell, and Sonos speakers).

HomeKit won’t handle Sonos at all, and my Ring Doorbell can only be utilized via terminal command lines through Homebridge (and then only when my MacBook is running). And more aggravatingly, I cannot recall the last time I opened the Home app without one or more of my devices showing the dreaded “no response” error. And I’ve got a rock solid fiber mesh network with wired back haul—I’ve tried switching hubs among my three Apple TV’s (now 2021 versions) and two HomePods with no improvement.

HomeKit seems to be the only smarthome interface I’ve encountered with this issue. I also have SmartThings, a Wink, and IFTTT and none of them have the slightest problem maintaining device connections. Are you seriously telling me that you’ve never encountered this issue? If you have any suggestions to help me resolve the connection obstacles alone, I’d sure welcome them…

 

[matrix07]

Well, you’re lucky. My experience with HomeKit has been considerably more frustrating, and I don’t think I’m alone. I have a fairly standard collection of popular devices (an Ecobee thermostat, Hue and Lutron Caseda lighting, a MyQ garage opener, a Rachio sprinkler system, a Ring Video Doorbell, and Sonos speakers).

Yeah I guess experience can be varied. It's all starting with devices selection I guess. I don't have any of the brand you're using, for one (but I'm eyeing that Ecobee). Clearly I don't have Sonos or Ring for example (or Rachio. Using Eve Aqua instead). To my surprise though some cheap Chinese electric outlets working with HomeKit really well. 😳

And more aggravatingly, I cannot recall the last time I opened the Home app without one or more of my devices showing the dreaded “no response” error. And I’ve got a rock solid fiber mesh network with wired back haul—I’ve tried switching hubs among my three Apple TV’s (now 2021 versions) and two HomePods with no improvement.

This didn't happen to me YET. (to my devices, but a few times to my HomePod mini which correct themselves when tapped) but I also don't use Home much apart from setting up something. I rely mainly on automations and Siri.

 

[erinsarah]

The only usefulness of HomePods are playing playing music from Apple devises and nothing else. Siri is just useless whenever you ask it to do something or search for something, a $35 google mini is more useful in my opinion. Apple really need to step up their game with Siri's usefulness/Ai.

Kinda depends on the "use" you are looking for. For me, I have an AppleTV connected to a TV that has crap sound, and I didn't want to spend too much on a new sound system. Two HPMinis solved the problem nicely, with the added benefit that you can occasionally ask Siri stuff, have it play iTunes (and also local radio via the TuneIn app), set some reminders, etc. I'm less concerned about its capabilities, because most of what I want it to do comes from either my phone or the AppleTv. We also have an Alexa in the same room, which we use for any lighting automation, weather, or answers to the many questions of the universe.

While Siri does in fact suck relatively as compared to Alexa and the Googles, there's a big difference...That $35 Google comes with the added price of selling your very soul to the highest bidder, over and over again. With Apple, you've already sold your soul to them, and they will keep it for themselves. And I'm ok with that.