HomePod Mini is not discontinued. It was just recently released.
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How to Use Two HomePods With a Mac for Stereo Audio Output
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They delay video to sync up with the lagging audio. This solution doesn’t work for interactive and/or real-time applications.
These lagging audio issues only present themselves with interactive and/or real-time applications. So, Apple doesn’t seem to want (or be able) to make the HomePod Minis into true stereo computer speakers. They can be used as stereo speakers for non-real-time applications, such as streaming music or video content.
i was thinking that too, but then thought, a product that is the final version if itself is as good as it gets. The moogerfooger guitar pedals, a Fat Chance mountain bike, etc. Maybe there’s less reason to buy a product that is still in development, because there is always a new version that will be coming out to replace it before long.
Apple can easily bring an AUX on homepod, then I would already have bought 2 pieces for my projector stereo and one for working room. Now they need cancel the main model and only counts on mini to win the smart speaker battle. Since when Apple can win a battle by building "cheap" variant?
Because no one else runs into it. If you’re having an issue report it to Apple, don’t assume everyone knows about it. I literally have never heard of this before nor do I experience it.
In this thread, your post won't age well. Seems there are many here who know about the lag issue.
Really not sure what the future holds for the HomePod considering how well the Sonos ecosystem works.
Considering I have spent over £2k on Sonos speakers around the house, there is no benefit to me buying a HomePod other than it being cheaper than a Sonos one but the lack of integration makes the cost saving redundant.
Considering I have spent over £2k on Sonos speakers around the house, there is no benefit to me buying a HomePod other than it being cheaper than a Sonos one but the lack of integration makes the cost saving redundant.
Exactly. The only benefit of HomePods over Sonos is Siri. But is Siri really a benefit?
I stayed on the HomePod sidelines for several years. Finally, I got a pair of HomePod Minis, thinking they would make good stereo speakers for the M1 Mac. After waiting for almost two weeks for 11.3 to be released and stereo pair of HomePod Minis to be usable in macOS as a sound output, I’m returning the HomePod Minis.
Apple has had years to get the HomePod to a level that it at least could perform basic functionality well (lag less audio, for instance). I’m disappointed and even disgusted with the lack of attention to detail on the part of Apple when it comes to maintaining and expanding their ecosystem.
I’ve already ordered Pebble V3 speakers by Creative for my Mac. They have Bluetooth 5, auxiliary, and USB-C audio inputs and cost $40. They also have good reviews. They will work well with none of the frustration that comes from using HomePods is as computer speakers, while costing 20% of the two HomePod Minis.
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strange, my AirPods Pro connect super easy and work flawlessly. In fact, I just put them in my ears and they automatically connected. But there is a bit of confusion around the "connect to this iPhone setting". It is found when you connect your AirPods to the iPhone, go to bluetooth and tap the information icon for your AirPods there it is, ensure the setting is set to "when last connected to this iPhone". That ensures that the AirPods connect to the device that you are using and not your iPhone all the time.
wow, seeing these are in no way typical issues, I wonder about what is going on for you. I have used HomePods as an output for awhile now (I am developer beta program), I have a pair of minis as stereo pair. Work great and flawlessly. So what is wrong with your setup?
Urgh.. Seriously? I'd hoped they had fixed that. AirPlay 2's latency is a joke. Reminds me of the mid-2000s. If I can get a rendered game, and video captured of that game at 150mbps streamed via WiFi to a VR headset at 20-30ms for the entire pipeline and Apple can't even provide a near-realtime audio solution..
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Instructions are kinda whacky. I modified here:
In programs such as Apple Music, you can designate the stereo pair as the output and/or to play directly on the HomePod pair.
- Launch the Home app on your iPhone or iPad, or Mac.
- Make sure both HomePod speakers are in the same room.
Touch and hold one of the HomePods. not needed- Swipe up and tap the cog icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen, or right click one speaker and go to settings on Mac
- Tap Create Stereo Pair....
- I name one speaker ....L and one .....R and you can easily change the left and right under Audio Settings
In programs such as Apple Music, you can designate the stereo pair as the output and/or to play directly on the HomePod pair.
Because Apple TV doesn’t have real-time applications. So, the streaming video is synced with the audio by delaying the video.
My question is, how come the HomePod Mini can serve as a speakerphone for the iPhone without any lag with the audio output? Are they using Bluetooth to the iPhone when making a phone call from the HomePod Mini?
Define “work flawlessly”. Did you try a FaceTime or Zoom call? They work flawlessly when you are listening to streaming music or watching YouTube from Safari because the software compensates for the audio lag by delaying video by the same delta. This truck doesn’t work with interactive applications, such as live video conferencing applications.
There is the reason why Apple doesn’t play system sounds through HomePods. They can’t deliver real-time sound to the HomePod for whatever reason. They don’t want you to click on something and hear the sound 2 seconds later.
It’s been like this since the HomePod Mini was released. I was hoping that macOS 11.3 and HomePod firmware 14.5 would fix it, but the only improvement over previous behavior is that a pair of HomePods speakers from the iPhone in HomeKit now shows up as a stereo pair in macOS instead of as two independent HomePod Minis. The new software didn’t improve the audio output lag.
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What about it? works great. I have my appleTV 4k set up with homepod mini stereo pair, works flawlessly