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iOS 26 Brings New Functionality to HomePod

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With the launch of iOS 26 and HomePod Software 26, Apple is adding support for Crossfade, an Apple Music feature that improves transitions between songs.

HomePod-2-and-Mini-feature-2.jpg

Beta testers who have the second HomePod Software 26 and iOS 26 betas now have an option to enable Crossfade. The toggle is a little bit hidden, but it can be found by opening up the Home app, going to Settings, tapping on a person's name, and choosing Apple Music.

Crossfade timing can be set anywhere from one second to 12 seconds, so users can adjust the fade in and fade out period for song transitions. When Crossfade is toggled on, the volume of the song that's ending will lower gradually, while the volume of the song that's coming on will increase. It is designed to prevent silence gaps between songs.

ios-26-homepod-crossfade.jpg

Crossfade is an Apple Music feature, so an Apple Music subscription is required to use it. It has been an option on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac for some time now, but Apple didn't bring it to the HomePod until now.

Apple Music in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 has a new AutoMix feature that replaces Crossfade. AutoMix goes beyond simple crossfading, and it uses time stretching and beat matching for a DJ-like song transition experience.

The HomePod 26 software also includes a new feature that allows you to select a Wi-Fi network to connect to, something that wasn't an option before.

(Thanks, Hidde!)

Article Link: iOS 26 Brings New Functionality to HomePod
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/25/ios-26-homepod-apple-music/
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Apple Introduces Genmoji on HomePod with iOS 26
Now your speaker can send emoji. Because that was the missing piece in your life.

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA — June 25, 2025 — In a move that’s “revolutionary”, Apple today announced game changing new functionality: Genmoji are now available on HomePod with the release of iOS 26.

Yes, the speaker that’s been magically playing your music and mishearing your requests since 2018 is now capable of responding with AI-generated emojis. Because clearly, what users wanted was not better Siri comprehension, multi-user memory, or local podcast support—it was anthropomorphic emojis giving them side-eye.

“Built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence, Genmoji on HomePod represents a huge leap forward in ambient personality projection,” said Kelly Smirkson, VP of Feature Justification. “Now when you ask Siri about the weather, she can shrug with a sarcastic cartoon cloud or a web emoji instead of the typical 'here's what I found on the web'.”

New Features in iOS 26 for HomePod include:

  • Emotionally Overexpressive Siri: No longer limited to just voice, Siri now responds to queries with abstract Genmoji. Ask how your stocks are doing, and HomePod may respond with a todamoon rocket, sweating piggy bank or a burning dumpster.
  • Silent Judgment, Visually Rendered: You’ll know HomePod is listening—and quietly mocking—when it flashes a Genmoji of an exhausted rabbit in response to your third Taylor Swift request of the day.
  • Voice-to-Emoji Translation: Tell your HomePod you’re “fine,” and it’ll reply with a melting smiley that says, “No you’re not, but sure.”
Critics have described the feature as “the least helpful update since U2 appeared in my library,” and “a high-effort way to feel low-key insulted by a $299 speaker.”

When pressed for clarity on the feature’s purpose, Apple responded, “Vibes.”

Compatibility: Genmoji on HomePod requires iOS 26 and a tolerance for minor absurdity. Works on HomePod (2nd gen) and HomePod mini. Not supported on AirPods Pro—yet. But don’t worry. We’re working on it.

At Apple, we’ve always believed in pushing the boundaries of what technology can do.

​

 
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Reactions: Jarman74, Arctic Moose, CarlJ and 14 others
Crossfade, to me, is so much more disruptive – GRATING even – than just having one song end, then another begin. It sounds bad way more often than it sounds good.
 
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Reactions: Blue Nova
So overwhelming...

How about adding MagSafe to the top of the HomePod, an optional magnetic iMac styled arm accessory and some connectivity to allow me to click in an iPad to the system to make the HomePod now a HomeHub...

How about making each of these cheaper HomePods into Wifi 7 extenders to bring back the idea of "Airport basestations"?

How about equipping these things with brains better than Siri? "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that."

If the concept of the HomePod actually became more expansive to go beyond just audio, this could really make your whole home Apple. Audio, assistive (Siri), wifi connectivity (Airport), smart home (HomeKit), extensible (MagSafe)...
 
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Reactions: System603 and postingtime
I just want Siri to stop telling me "hmmm I didn't get that", "this is taking too long or something like that", or the best part, just ignores my playlist and plays 2 speakers out of 10 when I ask it to play everywhere....fun times.
 
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Reactions: BlueParadox, System603 and Huck
If the HomePod will ever get a equalizer that works as a default setting across all devices? I guess not.
 
So, am I the only one who has iOS, ipadOS, visionOS, macOS, and tvOS 26 Developer Betas... but no HomePod Software 26??
 
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