Lossless Audio and Dolby Atmos Support Come to HomePod With 15.1 Software Update

[greenbreadmmm]

Yup. See this Apple Doc. Seems like for Home Theatre it's been there pretty much all year. Here's an article from March talking about how they discontinued the OG HomePod months after launching Home Theatre.

For Apple Music, it has to be enabled in the Music Setting (although I think it was toggled on by default during the update in July).

appreciate the run down!

 

[twistedpixel8]

Has this update fixed Siri’s “working on it… just a minute… still working…” BS when asked to do anything HomeKit?

 

[digduggler]

appreciate the run down!

Sure. I guess to answer your original question, you didn't notice so ....I think the answer is no

 

[B/D]

True, but it doesn't go into detail as to what is changing.

From Apple: "HomePod and HomePod mini currently use AAC to ensure excellent audio quality. Support for lossless is coming in a future software update," says Apple.

So they're using wifi now?

The Homepods have always used wifi for audio streaming, not bluetooth. What have changed is that until now, the Homepod OS was only able to request, process and decode an AAC stream directly from Apple servers and nothing else.

Now, they can do the same with Apple Music ALAC streams.

 

[IamTimCook]

What!? Peeps here were claiming that lossless audio upgrade would be literally impossible. Lol

 

[TyWahn]

The Homepods have always used wifi for audio streaming, not bluetooth. What have changed is that until now, the Homepod OS was only able to request, process and decode an AAC stream directly from Apple servers and nothing else.

Now, the can do the same with Apple Music ALAC streams.

I just updated my OG Homepods to 15.1. How do I enable Lossless and Dolby on them?

 

[B/D]

I just updated my OG Homepods to 15.1. How do I enable Lossless and Dolby on them?

See here:

 

[murdoc2k]

I just updated my OG Homepods to 15.1. How do I enable Lossless and Dolby on them?

1. Launch Home app.
2. Ensure "Home" tab is selected on the left menu
3. Press on the home icon on the top left
4. Select "Home settings"
5. Tap on your name.
6. Tap on "Apple Music"
7. Toggle "Lossless Audio" and "Dolby Atmos" switches to on position.

Enjoy.

 

[TyWahn]

1. Launch Home app.
2. Ensure "Home" tab is selected on the left menu
3. Press on the home icon on the top left
4. Select "Home settings"
5. Tap on your name.
6. Tap on "Apple Music"
7. Toggle "Lossless Audio" and "Dolby Atmos" switches to on position.

Enjoy.

I don't have those options.

 

[JuanitoIvanisios]

Just wow. Updated my Stereo pair of the "old" HomePods and Dolby Atmos / Lossless tracks sound really good. I'm impressed. The 3D playlists for Jazz and Classical Music... For me, this is the best update out of all updates released today.

 

[greenbreadmmm]

Sure. I guess to answer your original question, you didn't notice so ....I think the answer is no

Ha! In my defense, I just hooked my homepod up to an apple tv last week, so all I knew was atmos.

 

[PJWilkin]

I have tested Lossless on a stereo pair of mini’s
randomly a track will just stop, even though the track itself is lossless

and if in a playlist, the next track will then start

i suspect apple will need to do another update soon

 

[AppleUser2]

Oh - disappointed that Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos isn't supported on the Minis. I have 2 of them and a full sized one so not sure now how this update will help. Was going to put the minis in front of the TV and hook up to Apple TV but likely no benefit now

 

[B/D]

I don't have those options.

For them to appear, both the Homepods and the IOS device have to be in the final version of IOS 15.1

 

[B/D]

I have tested Lossless on a stereo pair of mini’s
randomly a track will just stop, even though the track itself is lossless

and if in a playlist, the next track will then start

i suspect apple will need to do another update soon

How does it sound?.

 

[B/D]

Oh - disappointed that Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos isn't supported on the Minis. I have 2 of them and a full sized one so not sure now how this update will help. Was going to put the minis in front of the TV and hook up to Apple TV but likely no benefit now

Set as the default audio output of an Apple TV 4K an stereo pair of Minis are still quite better than the vast majority of built in tv speakers.


Try them out.

 

[NPG]

Hi..since Siri is not the best at handling verbal music requests... is there a way to handoff a request to the HomePod from an iPad. So I would request the album on the music app on the iPad..send the airplay request to the HomePod...then turn OFF my iPad and let the music continue to play on the HomePod while it pulls its from the Apple servers..instead of my iPad. This has been an feature with the chromecast for years with certain apps. Thanks

 

[B/D]

Hi..since Siri is not the best at handling verbal music requests... is there a way to handoff a request to the HomePod from an iPad. So I would request the album on the music app on the iPad..send the airplay request to the HomePod...then turn OFF my iPad and let the music continue to play on the HomePod while it pulls its from the Apple servers..instead of my iPad. This has been an feature with the chromecast for years with certain apps. Thanks

Yes, you can remote control the Homepods from an IOS device or a Mac.

On IOS, pull up the control center and go to the airplay menu. There scroll down and select "control other tv and speakers". Select the homepod there. Thats it. If you go to the music app and play something it will start on the Homepod and you can then turn off the IOS device, the music will keep playing.

 

[Hat Tric]

I cannot start podcasts on the (original) HomePod using the Apple Podcasts app on my iOS/iPadOS devices (15.1).

Music is working fine and sending the iPads output to HomePod also, but no luck with controlling from another device.

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[TyWahn]

For them to appear, both the Homepods and the IOS device have to be in the final version of IOS 15.1

That might be the issue. I hadn't updated my iPhone yet.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[PJWilkin]

How does it sound?.

it sounds good, on some tracks you can hear instruments better
however on others the voice is a little hissy

I suspect apple have some tuning to do

 

[Htsi]

The one I have been waiting for. 2 HomePod minis and Apple TV to test it out on…

LMAO, you wont notice ******** on the mini’s.

I might be way out of the loop but isn't lossless audio through Bluetooth still compressed or I should say down sampled?

e

Lossless not possible over Bluetooth. HomePods work on Wi-Fi.

Lossless audio streamed via lossy method. Makes sense.

LOL NO.

What I want know is if Did they fix the random popping sound issue with the OG‘s? Last week I heard with the first one and today my second OG also produced that sound.

Hardware fault sadly, try to get them changed in warranty if you have it. From general reading up homepods crap out around the 2 year mark.

 

[Htsi]

Love my stereo pair of HomePods. Big shame they discontinued them. Would be sadder if the AirPods Max go the same route.

 

[pm67]

Just wow. Updated my Stereo pair of the "old" HomePods and Dolby Atmos / Lossless tracks sound really good. I'm impressed. The 3D playlists for Jazz and Classical Music... For me, this is the best update out of all updates released today.

Totally agree, just an incredible update. Also have stereo pair of old HomePods and am now avidly gulping down listens of my jazz and classical favourites that are in Dolby and/or lossless: astounding.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

So excited to try my HomePod stereo pair with the new features!