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

[God of Biscuits]

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.

Apple’s at least cleaning up the raisons d’etre of the OSs. Or of one in particular: iOS.

iOS is the king OS at Apple and it makes sense Apple wants it to have its own lane. A ”homeOS“ makes a ton of sense, but id wager it’s only a very very small percentage of purchasers who’d want a “set top box” to slso be the primary audio output. it Makes even less sense as a single channel in a multichannel system.

A smaller HomePod along the lines of an Echo dot, however — something that listens for voice input and responds to it via built-in speaker — but also provides streaming content to home theater might be a winner.

i suppose it’d also be able to a serviceable job as an AppleTV + speaker for a smaller setup in a dorm or bedroom, but Apple doesnt aim for niches.

tvOS is a better fit, hardware-wise. That’s a better-than-good-enough reason to eliminate a hasty fork of iOS and synergize tvOS. The rest can be just gravy for a couple years and it’d still be a smart move.
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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.

Not Apple Arcade. And Apple absolutely won‘t drop ‘all platforms” support for Apple Arcade. Which means any “stick” solution will have to be able to handle gameplay at least as well as today’s Apple TV hardware.

 

[God of Biscuits]

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.

Not true. certainly not Apple Arcade. And Apple absolutely won‘t drop ‘all platforms” support for Apple Arcade. Which means any “stick” solution will have to be able to handle gameplay at least as well as today’s Apple TV hardware.

 

[DoctorTech]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You make a very compelling case and I both hope and believe you are right. Something else in the mix that we don't hear too much about any more is Apple Arcade. I know it is available on Macs, iPhones, iPads, and ATV but I am not sure if wireless controllers work on all the devices or if they are limited to ATV. I haven't heard any recent statistics about paid subscriptions to Apple Arcade. I hope it is doing well but I have no idea.

 

[suras]

I dont know why apple keeps working on this project. It's not like it was with the "hobbie" of Apple Tv in this case I think players like Amazon Echo (1st) and Google (2nd) ar far far a way....

 

[Craigwilliam]

If they put an HDMI port on a HomePod and it became the next Apple TV it would be quite an attractive product. You could continue to sell a cheaper audio-only HomePod and then you could add them to your AppleTVPod and slowly build up your Dolby Atmos.

 

[AL2TEACH]

I'm just an average user and with that said:
I like the HomePod but Apple doesn't value us as customers in a real world sense. A HomePod 2 should/could be as simple as putting in the newest chip and updating the software to do the things it should have been able to do from the start. Meaning, it should be able to do more than an Echo Dot or a portable bluetooth speaker. It should have been simple to connect your iPad, iPhone, computer and TV to it from the start after all the AirPods can. As stated before, Apple doesn't value us as customers in a real world sense.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" Santayana. Apple is working very hard to improve on this concept. Being eh tied to the ecosystem is good because it should be but at the cost of shutting everything else out was eh Microsoft's way awhile back, for those of us that remember those days. The HomePod should have been inclusive also because it's users have more than just Apple Music on their devices.
The HomePod 2 doesn't need to be smaller or anything else, it just needed to be a product from Apple that gives even the smallest amount of respect and gratitude to its customers and fan base. Instead of being greedy and small.
I really want the HomePod despite of its shortcomings not at those prices. But I would really luv to have one the way it should've been. It's sad that Apple has chosen to no longer THINK DIFFERENT.

 

[justin.d]

2. AirPlay 2 enables this. AirPlay is not hit or miss anymore, since AirPlay 2. It works every time because it no longer relies on the local network. Unpredictable home networks is what caused it to be hit or miss. AirPlay 2 now has zero latency which means what you're doing on the source (iPhone/iPad/Mac/HomePod) reflects 1:1 on the TV in real time.

i would dispute the reliability of airplay 2. i recently bought a couple of homepods, and often listen to bbc radio on them via airplay 2 from my iphone. the connection tends to drop multiple times each day.

 

[PostApple2016BrainWash]

If they put an HDMI port on a HomePod and it became the next Apple TV it would be quite an attractive product. You could continue to sell a cheaper audio-only HomePod and then you could add them to your AppleTVPod and slowly build up your Dolby Atmos.

That is why Apple needs to use USB-C as a power transmitted and built-in lithium-ion battery.

 

[gnasher729]

Wouldn’t mind if they did that as an option, but most people probably don’t want a small speaker in the location where they put their Apple TV.

You mean hidden behind the TV with just a bit sticking out for the remote control

Seriously, it means the audio quality must be significantly better than that of my TV (which isn't difficult for most users). And it would need to take audio directly from the TV as well, because few people use Apple TV exclusively. Some _really_ clever audio software could combine TV speakers with HomePod speakers for improved quality. But that's tricky.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

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).

If you’re talking about sound for previews while browsing Netflix, there’s a fix for that. You can only disable it from the web as far as I know.
I was considering cancelling because this irritated me so much.

Try here, and expand ”Autoplay Previews” for how to disable it.

 

[PostApple2016BrainWash]

I'm just an average user and with that said:
I like the HomePod but Apple doesn't value us as customers in a real world sense. A HomePod 2 should/could be as simple as putting in the newest chip and updating the software to do the things it should have been able to do from the start. Meaning, it should be able to do more than an Echo Dot or a portable bluetooth speaker. It should have been simple to connect your iPad, iPhone, computer and TV to it from the start after all the AirPods can. As stated before, Apple doesn't value us as customers in a real world sense.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" Santayana. Apple is working very hard to improve on this concept. Being eh tied to the ecosystem is good because it should be but at the cost of shutting everything else out was eh Microsoft's way awhile back, for those of us that remember those days. The HomePod should have been inclusive also because it's users have more than just Apple Music on their devices.
The HomePod 2 doesn't need to be smaller or anything else, it just needed to be a product from Apple that gives even the smallest amount of respect and gratitude to its customers and fan base. Instead of being greedy and small.
I really want the HomePod despite of its shortcomings not at those prices. But I would really luv to have one the way it should've been. It's sad that Apple has chosen to no longer THINK DIFFERENT.

Agreed, Apple need to make a bigger version of HomePod and come with USB-C power cable.

 

[gnasher729]

1. To be clear: The HomePod would replace the Apple TV box. HomePod would have a remote so you could sit back and browse tvOS as you do now with the AppleTV. The big difference is that the HomePod wouldn't have to be connected directly to any TV. It would serve as the centre of your home entertainment and could AirPlay its UI (screen mirroring if you will) to any TV in the house. AirPlay to the bedroom, kitchen, or living from the one HomePod. You chose where to play it to, it doesn't need to be connected to any TV because all TVs have AirPlay (either built in or through an AirPlay stick for older TVs).

2. AirPlay 2 enables this. AirPlay is not hit or miss anymore, since AirPlay 2. It works every time because it no longer relies on the local network. Unpredictable home networks is what caused it to be hit or miss. AirPlay 2 now has zero latency which means what you're doing on the source (iPhone/iPad/Mac/HomePod) reflects 1:1 on the TV in real time.

That requires an AirPlay 2 compatible TV.

 

[I7guy]

I'm just an average user and with that said:
I like the HomePod but Apple doesn't value us as customers in a real world sense. A HomePod 2 should/could be as simple as putting in the newest chip and updating the software to do the things it should have been able to do from the start. Meaning, it should be able to do more than an Echo Dot or a portable bluetooth speaker. It should have been simple to connect your iPad, iPhone, computer and TV to it from the start after all the AirPods can. As stated before, Apple doesn't value us as customers in a real world sense.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" Santayana. Apple is working very hard to improve on this concept. Being eh tied to the ecosystem is good because it should be but at the cost of shutting everything else out was eh Microsoft's way awhile back, for those of us that remember those days. The HomePod should have been inclusive also because it's users have more than just Apple Music on their devices.
The HomePod 2 doesn't need to be smaller or anything else, it just needed to be a product from Apple that gives even the smallest amount of respect and gratitude to its customers and fan base. Instead of being greedy and small.
I really want the HomePod despite of its shortcomings not at those prices. But I would really luv to have one the way it should've been. It's sad that Apple has chosen to no longer THINK DIFFERENT.

Apple did THINK DIFFERENT. The HomePod is not wearable sound accessory as the Airpod. It's an always on (hence the power cord), SIRI enabled high-fidelity speaker that plays music without requiring a corresponding mac or idevice, that is capable of being used in an highly customized manner when there are multiple HomePods setup throughout your environment.

On top of the using airplay 2 protocols, means the HP signal quality is better than Bluetooth. Additionally if one wanted to stream, one doesn't need to be on the same network and can even be on LTE.

I do not see Apple turning HomePod into a bluetooth enabled sound device, maybe B/T should have been an accepted protocol from the beginning...but that's another conversation.

 

[ipedro]

That requires an AirPlay 2 compatible TV.

That's why I pointed out that the missing piece is an AirPlay Stick, an HDMI stick that adds AirPlay 2 to older TVs. All of the major brands now have AirPlay 2 built in and Apple would just have to fill in the gap for older models.
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i would dispute the reliability of airplay 2. i recently bought a couple of homepods, and often listen to bbc radio on them via airplay 2 from my iphone. the connection tends to drop multiple times each day.

I'm not questioning your experience but as someone who's been using AirPlay when it was still called AirTunes back with the AirPort Express, AirPlay 2 feels like a miracle. I've never had such a solid and more reliable connection. Before this, AirPlay was hit or miss and I suspect it had to do with my network. But as I understand it, AirPlay 2 is peer to peer, like AirDrop, so the wifi network doesn't matter.

I have 2 HomePods in different rooms and they instantly connect. When I have clients over, they sit on the couch facing the big screen TV while I edit on my iPad Pro and the AirPlay connection is not only solid, it's free of any lag. They see what I'm doing 1:1 in real time.

 

[unsui_grep]

1. The AppleTV app becoming the new home screen (even though the tvOS home remains there — for now).
2. The launch of AirPlay 2, enabling low latency mirroring.
3. AirPlay made available natively on all the major TV brands.
4. The Apple TV app turning the Apple TV hardware into an app that's available directly on third party TVs and tv boxes, showing that Apple is fine with cannibalizing its AppleTV hardware. Why would they do that if they're planning on keeping the box around?

Give a listen to the latest Stacktrace podcast over on 9to5Mac. John and Gui indirectly cover some of the debate going on here. I disagree with you on HomePods replacing AppleTv hardware, but I do think they're developing some sort of HomeOS and I can see future HomePods being used as some sort of mesh satellite. They are NOT putting an A14 in a HomePod. They might put one in a beefed up AppleTV. I think the future of the AppleTV hardware is a media/gaming console that is capable of managing multiple HomePods and HomeKit devices, maybe even with some sort of mesh routing capabilities. I agree with Gui and John that it's entirely possible (I think likely) that Apple is positioning itself to work with Publishers on in-house, first party gaming content. An A14 chip in a beefed up Apple TV could also become the brains for future Apple Glasses with AR/VR gaming being a major selling point. Why else would an A14 chip be put into AppleTV. I almost think they have to, in order to maintain the walled garden of their ecosystem. Expect to see FaceTime in some form come to such a device.

 

[smulji]

I agree with Gui and John that it's entirely possible (I think likely) that Apple is positioning itself to work with Publishers on in-house, first party gaming content.

This would be a great start. I would also love to see Apple open up HomePod (& Siri) to 3rd-party services, not just music, but all services relevant to the home.

 

[unsui_grep]

This would be a great start. I would also love to see Apple open up HomePod (& Siri) to 3rd-party services, not just music, but all services relevant to the home.

I think that's happening. Could be a major reason for folding the HomePod OS into tvOS. As far as branding is concerned, I think a homeOS would be great, as a place to manage apple audio devices, streaming, gaming, media, HomeKit devices, and as a processing hub for future Apple Glasses. I believe I read somewhere that Apple was putting together a new, more aggressive team to rejuvenate HomeKit, similar to the Apple Pro work group.

 

[Black Belt]

I LOVE my Homepods. I have a stereo pair in my room and another. I’d like another for my kitchen. I’ve never listened to this much music, it’s just so easy and sounds amazing.

 

[iJustines]

Why homepods sucks? It won't be usable if the device need to constantly plugging in the power socket.

 

[IscariotJ]

I'm hoping for a portable model, like the Sonos Move, and a cheaper model. Give me something like that, add native support for audiobooks, and I'm in.

I hope the grand plan isn't to replace the ATV, there's a reason that setup boxes are popular ( even if the ATV doesn't have massive market share ), and that's because TV manufacturers support of their products is abysmal.

 

[name99]

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.

It's a horrible mishmash right now. It's mostly persistent, like it's designed to be that way, but it fails for random reasons once every two weeks or so. It's not THAT much effort to reinstate using Control Center, but like so much of Apple's sloppy software these days, it ruins the feeling of delight by an irrationally large amount.

But irrationality matters! Ever one of these stupid software bugs making people just 5% less enthusiastic about Apple (and so delaying their next purchase as long as they can) translates into billions...

 

[myopic1]

Soundbar with HomePod sound quality and built in Apple TV functionality?

I am waiting on Apple to make something that would be an upgrade from the Sonos Soundbar, but I'm not sold on integrating Apple TV. I don't want to have to buy an entirely new speaker every time there is a noticeable ATV upgrade.

 

[Boatboy24]

I don't want to have to buy an entirely new speaker every time there is a noticeable ATV upgrade.

Good point.