iOS 27 Brings New Functionality to HomePod

[MacRumors]

With the launch of iOS 27 and HomePod Software 27, Apple is adding support for AutoMix, Apple's AI-powered Apple Music feature that blends songs using matching key and tempo.

Apple says it has improved AutoMix's underlying algorithms to generate new transition types, making for more seamless blends between tracks, so this should also benefit the newly introduced feature for HomePod.

Running Apple's current HomePod Software 26, the AutoMix feature in Apple Music is not available on HomePod. Users running the existing software only have access to the crossfade feature that improves transitions between songs.

If users AirPlay to HomePod and the device they are using to AirPlay supports AutoMix (and it is turned on), then it will play on the AirPlay stream to HomePod, but that's the only workaround.

OG HomePod Support

In case anyone was wondering, the new HomePod Software 27 beta does support the original HomePod. There was some confusion about this earlier in the week, but MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris was able to independently confirm support for Apple's first smart speaker, which launched in 2018 and was discontinued in 2021.

HomePod Software 27 will come out of beta when iOS 27 becomes generally available in the fall.

Article Link: iOS 27 Brings New Functionality to HomePod

 

[abatabia]

My pair of OG HomePods being supported is awesome!

 

[JamonBull]

Have they made it so more than one podcast episode plays if requested via Siri? This is the main thing I want.

 

[Evangelion]

I would like two features: voice recognition in Finnish (so that my HomePods would know who was talking, instead of assuming it’s me) and HomePods being aware of other HomePods. If I set a timer on one HomePod, and ask another HomePod how much time is left, it has no idea what I’m talking about. I have to ask the same HomePod I set the timer in.

 

[Braunschweiger]

I’m curious about Aaron’s source of information. I usually see the Beta Profile for my OGs instantly on Appleseed Beta, but atm only Beta 26 profile is showing up.

 

[Astuces iOS]

How does the OG supports it and not the tv?

 

[mudflap]

Have they made it so more than one podcast episode plays if requested via Siri? This is the main thing I want.

It drives me crazy that I can’t ask for a specific episode of a podcast. Them with Conan I’ll get “you’ve already listened to your free episode…” and I want to scream. Lol

 

[nBode]

Is that it lmfao

 

[firewire9000]

The OG HomePods are the true MVPs here.

 

[Surrylic]

I wish the OG HomePods would get the Siri AI conversational features since that can be/is cloud-based… but due to their age they’ll probably continue to be minimally useful at understanding commands :/

 

[DCIFRTHS]

My pair of OG HomePods being supported is awesome!

Yes! I was glad to read that too 😀

 

[963852741]

My pair of OG HomePods being supported is awesome!

Sometimes Apple does surprise.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

What about Siri AI support?

 

[Nozgog]

Dropping OG HomePod support is bad ... also because 2nd Gen HomePods sound worse!

I fear I need to buy new HomePods now to get the latest software ... OG HomePods for the trash then? Or what to do with them?

 

[mdelvecchio]

Dropping OG HomePod support is bad ... also because 2nd Gen HomePods sound worse!

I fear I need to buy new HomePods now to get the latest software ... OG HomePods for the trash then? Or what to do with them?

I have both and I think the 2md gen HPs sound better than my OG. The original are very bass heavy, less clarity.

What I’d really like is custom EQ support. What is good for music isn’t good for speech.

 

[rolan2q]

I’ve had so many issues with my HomePod 2nd gen it’s quite buggy. When trying to airplay it just stops and then I constantly have to switch on my iPhone to start playing music on my iPhone and then the HomePod again. It would also randomly start playing Apple Music Radio 1 in the middle of me trying to play a song from my iPhone. Homepod 27 is not showing up for me even though I’m enrolled in the beta and iOS 27 is running on my iPhone. Anyone else?

 

[svish]

Good and great that the original model is also being supported.

 

[vbctv]

I’m curious about Aaron’s source of information. I usually see the Beta Profile for my OGs instantly on Appleseed Beta, but atm only Beta 26 profile is showing up.

Same here and they removed all references of 1st gen HomePod from the feedback assistant site on the Apple beta site...
I'm wondering if he saw it in the source code and maybe Apple changed their mind at the last minute because they did make other mistakes like the Watch Series 9 and so on...

 

[B/D]

Same here and they removed all references of 1st gen HomePod from the feedback assistant site on the Apple beta site...
I'm wondering if he saw it in the source code and maybe Apple changed their mind at the last minute because they did make other mistakes like the Watch Series 9 and so on...

Apparently is only visible for some dev accounts.

I wonder if this means that there is a possibility that the Apple TV first gen 4K will support tvOS27 after all.

 

[vbctv]

Apparently is only visible for some dev accounts.

I wonder if this means that there is a possibility that the Apple TV first gen 4K will support tvOS27 after all.

That doesn't seem right. If we can access the 26 beta profile but ONLY some dev accounts have 27 beta. But yet I am running the 27 beta on my mini's without issue... I feel like we need some kind of visual proof. Because as I said even on the Feedback Assistant website on AppleSeed, all references of the 1st gen HomePod have been removed... It only lists minis and 2nd gen now.... And this is from the AppleSeed beta site... And again we only have the 26 beta listed under resources for the beta profile...
This one is a weird one, wouldn't even make sense since the Apple TV HD (which ran the same A8 chip) is done and the Apple TV 4K 1st gen ran the A10X chip.
I feel there should have been evidence shown before the site reported on this because nobody can see a beta profile that I have seen so far... And if it's source code based, then Apple might've changed course last minute...

 

[vertsix]

I'm unsure why Siri AI isn't brought over to HomePod using iPhone as a relay for the on-device and cloud processing.

 

[Braunschweiger]

That doesn't seem right. If we can access the 26 beta profile but ONLY some dev accounts have 27 beta. But yet I am running the 27 beta on my mini's without issue... I feel like we need some kind of visual proof. Because as I said even on the Feedback Assistant website on AppleSeed, all references of the 1st gen HomePod have been removed... It only lists minis and 2nd gen now.... And this is from the AppleSeed beta site... And again we only have the 26 beta listed under resources for the beta profile...
This one is a weird one, wouldn't even make sense since the Apple TV HD (which ran the same A8 chip) is done and the Apple TV 4K 1st gen ran the A10X chip.
I feel there should have been evidence shown before the site reported on this because nobody can see a beta profile that I have seen so far... And if it's source code based, then Apple might've changed course last minute...
View attachment 2637053View attachment 2637054

What’s also interesting is that when I looked further into the code of the profile, I discovered that the 26 Beta profile was only signed to May 2026. I had already been wondering why my mini received a 26.5 beta version, while my OGs were left out. This was the reason behind it.

 

[Premium1]

Dropping OG HomePod support is bad ... also because 2nd Gen HomePods sound worse!

I fear I need to buy new HomePods now to get the latest software ... OG HomePods for the trash then? Or what to do with them?

Luckily I have mine stereo paired to a tv so I am less worried about siri and just glad they will continue plugging along as tv audio.

 

[F23]

Introducing HomePod 3 with Siri AI 360° cameras, Tim will use his extra free time to watch your living room.

 

[jbachandouris]

My HP2 plays music randomly. Even after me changing source of playlist to phone and lowering volume.

Reset. Upgraded firmware. Removed and replaced in home app. No change.

Possibly the dreaded ghost touch. Sometimes Siri will say ok and say here’s a playlist even though listening for Siri is turned off.