HomePod Operating System Now Based on tvOS Instead of iOS Amid Rumors of Smaller HomePod

[PostApple2016BrainWash]

I see where this is going.

For the iPhone/iPod touch: iOS Mobile
For the Apple Watch: iOS Basic
For the HomePod/Apple TV: iOS Home
For the iPad: iOS Professional
For the Mac: iOS Ultimate

Chooooose an iOS!

It is possible for that but ARM-Based macOS will get a significant reduction in power consumption.

 

[rp2011]

There is a possibility that the ”i” goes away and a new branding is started the encompasses the new shared Apple CPU platform.

 

[PostApple2016BrainWash]

There is a possibility that the ”i” goes away and a new branding is started the encompasses the new shared Apple CPU platform.

No. That does not make sense at all and people are fine with the branding of iProduct from Apple.

 

[Abazigal]

Just +1'ing the theory that a new Apple TV+HomePod integration makes total sense. Really, I'm surprised the 1st one didn't go this route. There's just so much overlap, it seems silly to need two separate devices.

I guess the obvious counterpoint to that is that the best spot for an Apple TV (behind or below your TV) may not necessarily be the best spot for a HomePod, or even a router (for those who think it has potential as an airport replacement as well).

For example, what if I want a HomePod in the kitchen where there is no TV screen? Or if I want to place it on a shelf and it’s nowhere near my TV?

Or maybe my TV is suspended on the wall and I mount my aTV behind the TV, which is a suboptimal location for a speaker.

For every one person who might have an ideal setup for this, you have many more who don’t, and thus end up paying for functionality they cannot take advantage of.

 

[daveak]

This is spot on. The AppleTV as a media box is obviously on its way out. Maybe not in the next couple years, but I could see in 2-4 years. When TVs already come with all the streaming apps installed on them - there is no point in buying a box. The only reason I still use the AppleTV boxes is because I had them before I had the TVs that have all the streaming apps.

There is every reason to exist. How long are TVs supported in terms of system updates? I'm willing to bet no where close to how long Apple support their devices for.

My TV has various streaming apps, no AppleTV app as it is too old, I never use them because there haven't been updates for years, and in addition I don't trust Samsung (nor LG, nor Sony) to not do things they shouldn't

 

[maflynn]

There is a possibility that the ”i” goes away and a new branding is started the encompasses the new shared Apple CPU platform.

The "i" branding has already been cast aside, Apple TV, HomePod, Apple Watch, earpods.

 

[acrakes]

I had the same thought about putting an Apple TV inside a HomePod, don’t know if it’s possible - might be tough to engineer, and it would end up more expensive than the speaker now.

The HomePod doesn’t sell partly because Apple’s voice control and AI are years behind Amazon and Google. It’s a fetish/luxury object for Apple devotees.

Probably needs a better screen on top, maybe one that can tilt up - or even just a short laser projector

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Based on the same codebase... yet still can't be used as a stereo pair.

 

[trainwrecka]

I don’t follow this logic. I have an AppleTV equipped tv (LG C9 OLED). I only use the Appletv box for all my media needs. It’s standardised interface, well supported, has apps for third party content, photos, music, and is fast.

I’m not the only one using the box as their only access to media.

AppleTV box is here to stay.

Agreed. I love my Apple TV - only wish I could hook up an external drive rather than stream from the Mac constantly.

 

[mudflap]

Now if they wrapped a perhaps mesh router into the Apple TV hardware and Home Pod devices they'd end up selling a bunch more. Essentially the Apple TV and Home Pod serving a mesh routing system. It might use a bit extra power, but with any of the recent A-series, there is power to spare.

I always hoped Apple would release a new router. I adored my Airport Extreme and Expresses for years. In fact they were kind of universally loved, which is why it baffles me that they discontinued them. So I hoped they were planning something new. Why can't the HomePod also be a router or an extender, or part of a mesh system. That would be brilliant. Maybe the huge magnet and the motion of the woofer would somehow make that difficult to do?

 

[Revearp55]

Okay, I’m a noviCe. Maybe there’s a solution I haven’t tried. But could this software change be the path to using HomePod as a TV external audio device? I’ve tried every way I can think of to make it work for me. No luck. I have the latest AppleTV and HomePod…still no luck. Any suggestions? After spending bank for HomePod, I don’t want to spend another $500+ for a sound bar.

 

[AtomicDusk]

This is spot on. The AppleTV as a media box is obviously on its way out. Maybe not in the next couple years, but I could see in 2-4 years. When TVs already come with all the streaming apps installed on them - there is no point in buying a box. The only reason I still use the AppleTV boxes is because I had them before I had the TVs that have all the streaming apps.

I totally see where you're coming from but I disagree. I believe that there will always be a market for stand alone content boxes.

I've owned 2 smart TVs, one purchased in 2014/15-ish and one just bought a week ago. I also own a Roku stick and a 4th Gen Apple TV. Of all of those the Apple TV has the best speed and responsiveness in navigation and loading content.
The second place finisher to my Apple TV is, to no surprise, game consoles. Built in and the Roku stick are just SLOW. Also, with Smart TVs, as with any other box, you're beholden to that software, that layout and frankly I prefer the route Apple has taken there as well.

Now another reason I think people will keep buying streaming boxes and the like is because companies can drop support for a specific line of TVs. Something can happen to the TV, you need to scale, move things around, etc. or bring it with you somewhere (I did this last November when my whole family got together for Thanksgiving and there were 6 kids under age 10, and it was raining the entire week, being able to bring one box for all content was a great benefit to Apple TV.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

I have to pick this one apart a bit.

I've always suspected that the HomePod would be the replacement for the AppleTV.

"AppleTV" as a name brand has moved to being software; the AppleTV app is just called "Apple TV" and Apple has moved to have it become ubiquitous on all platforms, on all TVs and TV boxes. There's currently a confusion when talking about "Apple TV" because it could both mean the app or the box. I believe that Apple is in the process of cleaning that up.

This is why I feel that the Apple TV (the box) will be phased out. In its place, you'll have HomePods as the centre of the home, not just for audio but for your TV and in your interaction with your entire home through Siri and HomeKit.

I bet they still can't get "Apple TV" to output, and stay outputting, to the HomePods though.

Apple has been working with TV manufactures to build AirPlay 2 into all TVs. This will play a central role in Apple's TV strategy going forward. Rather than an Apple TV box, you'll either simply AirPlay content from the Apple TV app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac to your TV directly, you'll use the Apple TV app built into every TV going froward or for the true Apple living room experience, you'll have a HomePod that will run tvOS and will AirPlay the video (both UI and content) to your TV.

No. If I wanted a piece of garbage chromecast I would have bought a piece of garbage chromecast. The Apple TV functioning as an internet-sourcing cable box has always been one of the reasons why it's better than everything over in green bubble land.

The two missing components: first a remote for HomePod and second, an AirPlay Stick to enable AirPlay on all TVs that don't yet have it. This AirPlay stick would replace the tvOS Home screen with the Apple TV app home screen, which Apple has been moving to anyway.

See above. If I wanted a piece of garbage firestick I would have bought a piece of garbage firestick.

Apps on tvOS has turned out to be a failed experiment. Most of the successful apps on Apple TV are simply content apps, that would better function as an Apple TV channel, rather than a self contained app with its own user interface. I think Apple will push towards that but first they'll have to win over Netflix and Disney both of which have wanted their own self contained apps.

Apple kind of shot themselves in the foot with regards to getting Apple TV to be considered a gaming platform when they required games to be playable with the Siri Remote. Now that we can pair unwashed console peasant controllers and Apple Arcade is a thing, Apple should really throw some money behind it.

As for most apps being content apps, that's entirely due to the networks and cable providers refusing to play ball with Apple's original plan for a streaming service. The Apple TV app was Apple providing their vision for the front end for TV, still collecting all content in one place. It's just that us consumers got boned because we either still have to have actual cable packages or pay each network their $10/mo.

I believe we'll see a big shift in the way that Apple deals with TV. First, they launched the content platform and now I think we'll see them move around the pieces in hardware, in which the new HomePod will play a central role.

I think that's plausible, just not with some of the ideas you outlined. The issue I see with it is that people like me aren't going to want to give up their killer sound (the current HomePods) and the average uneducated consumer will balk at the still higher than a fireshtick price and then wonder why nothing works when they can't figure out what to plug into the HDMI port.

 

[CarlJ]

For example, what if I want a HomePod in the kitchen where there is no TV screen? Or if I want to place it on a shelf and it’s nowhere near my TV?

I expect if they did a combined HomePod+AppleTV, it'd be as a separate unit in addition to the current (likely improved) HomePod, and possibly a smaller HomePod. It doesn't really make sense to have a single AppleTV cylinder sitting to one side or the other of the TV - it'd be unbalanced. If they did a combo, I would expect it to be in the form of either a sound bar, or a center channel, either one being dedicated to TV use. But, given that there will also be a large market for a standalone Apple TV (people who either already have a surround system, or don't care about or have the space for a surround system), I don't really expect there to be a combo unit, as they're unlikely to sell a standalone Apple TV, a standalone HomePod, and a HomePod+AppleTV combo unit. It doesn't seem their style.

(I could also see Apple using a newer higher-powered A-series chip in the Apple TV in order to start competing more and more against dedicated game consoles - not immediately going head-to-head against Sony & Microsoft, but moving in that direction.)

What I can see is an improved Apple TV, an improved HomePod, a smaller HomePod, and ... possibly a HomePod HomeTheater, that's in the form of either a soundbar or a center channel speaker. An all HomePod home theater setup, with a center channel, two "regular" or "mini" HomePods for front left/right (or, replace L/C/R with a HomePod sound bar), and two "mini" (or "regular"!) HomePods for rear left/right, with all of Apple's sound shaping smarts, would be pretty cool. Heck, give the mini HomePod the ability to fire upwards, and build an Atmos-capable system with a bunch of them arranged to fit your room, rather than in a traditional 5.1/7.1 arrangement (hmm, do we need a HomePod Sub?).
[automerge]1586877403[/automerge]

Agreed. I love my Apple TV - only wish I could hook up an external drive rather than stream from the Mac constantly.

There are many people happily using a NAS and Infuse or VLC or Plex, with their Apple TV. Apple's highly unlikely to let you plug a traditional external drive directly into the Apple TV.

 

[lederermc]

All I want is a mute gesture (like triple down tap) on the Apple TV Remote so I don't have to listen to adverts on some ATV apps (like Netflix must hear trailers).

 

[JackieTreehorn]

They could make one of those sound bars for your tv that also doubles as a HomePod and atv.

HomePod Pro!

 

[gnipgnop]

Okay, I’m a noviCe. Maybe there’s a solution I haven’t tried. But could this software change be the path to using HomePod as a TV external audio device? I’ve tried every way I can think of to make it work for me. No luck. I have the latest AppleTV and HomePod…still no luck. Any suggestions? After spending bank for HomePod, I don’t want to spend another $500+ for a sound bar.

How to Connect Apple HomePod to a TV

Connecting a HomePod to your Apple TV is very easy, but it's not a great solution for home theater audio.

www.lifewire.com

It can be done, but keep in mind that the HomePod is going to provide 2 channel sound only. That's similar to lower priced sound bars, but not $400-$500 sound bars that typically provide 5.1 channels.

 

[name99]

An Apple TV/HomePod combo device down the road could definitely be interesting. The speaker can display output on the TV and serve as speakers for the TV as well.

That's what I see as well.
HomePod is somewhat crippled by the fact that it cannot display, only speak. An obvious fix would be to give the OS the functionality to throw out "visual" responses to an appropriate screen -- an aTV if that's nearby, an iPhone, even an aWatch.

(Of course you can use HomePod in the reverse direction as an aTV speaker right now! The initial setup is MUCH more painful than it needs to be, definitely something only to be tried if you're a patient techie, not an average user;
[you have to calibrate your TV against your HomePod, and you have to do it for EVERY display Hz of your TV...]
and it's still slightly buggy with the connection being dropped for god knows why once a week or so.

But if your TV does not have a soundbar and Atmos, it is VERY sweet! It really makes you appreciate the sound effects in many movies, the deep rumbles or sharp cracks, that a normal TV speaker without Atmos barely generates.)

 

[name99]

How to Connect Apple HomePod to a TV

Connecting a HomePod to your Apple TV is very easy, but it's not a great solution for home theater audio.

www.lifewire.com

It can be done, but keep in mind that the HomePod is going to provide 2 channel sound only. That's similar to lower priced sound bars, but not $400-$500 sound bars that typically provide 5.1 channels.

OK. That article is ignorant garbage. (Sorry, but it's true!)

Here's what you need to do:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210526
Note the steps.
First calibrate your HomePod with your aTV and TV (using your iPhone). The iPhone needs to be VERY close to the TV (like less than a foot away).

NEXT (and this the part they don't really tell you, just a sneaky little last line in the article) do you have Content Matching on?

Turn on Match Dynamic Range or Match Frame Rate on your Apple TV - Apple Support

Learn how to turn on frame rate and dynamic range matching.

support.apple.com

This means: when you play a movie does the TV screen switch to 24Hz? If so, then you need to force your aTV "preferred frame rate" to 24 Hz. Go to Settings>Displays and Audio and select the Display Resolution there is a 'more options' option on the menu: click that and one of the options is 1080p 24Hz.
Now repeat calibration all over again at 24Hz!
If you use other modes (maybe HDR? maybe 50Hz?) you have to repeat calibration for every mode!!! Ridiculous, I know...
(Remember, after all this is done, to set Settings>Displays and Audio > Display Resolution back to 1080p@60Hz or whatever you were using.)

OK, so now you have calibrated your HomePod at every content mode.
NOW bring up aTV Control Center (long press on the aTV remote Home button). Go down to the AirPlay logo at the bottom of the screen and click it. You should get a list of all the audio devices you could be sending audio to. What you want is to to choose your HomePod (s) as being ticked while the TV audio is also still ticked, so that audio is being sent to multiple devices.

Look at this image (Control Center doesn't look exactly like this, but close enough)

Two points
- the circle next to a speaker name means the speaker can be chosen SIMULTANEOUSLY with another speaker.
- so you want to have both Apple TV, the top one called Living Room (the HDMI TV sound) and the HomePod, ie the bottom one, both selected with a tick next to both of them.

Now you should get audio that is in sync, but coming out of both your TV in front of you and the HomePod. IMHO it works better with the HomePod(s) behind you -- that way the whole room is filled with even sound volume, and the effects sounds, which is what HomePod really brings out, are mostly low frequency so not placed anywhere in space.

If you did not calibrate then the TV audio will be out of sync with the HomePod audio --very irritating.
If you only calibrated for, say, 60Hz, then it will appear to work with some content, like TV content, but be out of syc for other content like movies. Even worse because it seems to randomly work or not work...

 

[vmistery]

Now an A14 AppleTV sounds extremely interesting, what on earth could they need that much power for? Is Apple Arcade going to become far more A1 title focused, seems unlikely? Could be a great year for new kit at this rate.

 

[coolthings]

Been wanting this since SFR (French cable carrierr) released their Box 8 which is pretty much that, a mix of tv box and speaker. https://www.cablereview.fr/tests-avis/sfr/box/sfr-box-8/

Cant wait for it

 

[CarlJ]

It can be done, but keep in mind that the HomePod is going to provide 2 channel sound only. That's similar to lower priced sound bars, but not $400-$500 sound bars that typically provide 5.1 channels.

My impression is, AirPlaying to the HomePod also isn't persistent - you need to set it back up repeatedly, like every time you start your system back up.

 

[V_Man]

You wouldn't need to have the HomePod next to the TV. AirPlay 2 offers near zero latency for wireless video. A HomePod would serve as the centre of the home that can AirPlay its content to any TV in the house, either directly to any new TV with AirPlay built in or to older TVs with AirPlay HDMI sticks. See my posts above for more details.

What are these hdmi sticks

 

[dampfnudel]

They could make one of those sound bars for your tv that also doubles as a HomePod and atv.

Just like what Roku did. I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple did it in response to Roku’s sound bar.

 

[mondayriot]

Literally just a badge change in software that has no GUI. Who cares