This was a very un-Apple-like gap for far too long. Good to see they finally resolved it
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macOS Big Sur 11.3 Beta Adds Support for HomePod Stereo Pairs
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I have a question. Is it there a way to deactivate the Homepod’s microphones? You know, for privacy
Yeah, they can.
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How is that even a question? Outdated OS versions get security updates at most.
Ask Siri to stop listening. You have to reactivate in the home app. The literally only thing it is listening for is "Hey Siri" though. Nothing leaves the device until that command is invoked.
It doesn't throttle the WiFi. It uses more bandwith to ensure low enough latency to enable UI sounds. I don't even think they use enough considering it still breaks up.
Glad this is coming! I got a mini last week for the office and is great. However, I would love for a bit more control on what sound comes through them in general.
E.g. all multimedia through the minis then all system related sounds via alternative. No need for a transfer complete or error sound to resonate whilst I listen/watch/play.
E.g. all multimedia through the minis then all system related sounds via alternative. No need for a transfer complete or error sound to resonate whilst I listen/watch/play.
Not much use for me, but I'm glad they're continuing to develop this device. Currently, I have eight standard HomePods strategically placed throughout my flat. I always activate all eight for a more immersive sound. I still need a few more to fill the dead spots, but I plan to wait until the next iteration.
Trivia: I'm also running a Nest Home Max in the kitchen as my 'good morning' device while I make my coffee and feed the pups. It's in a whole different league than the HomePods, and I find it quite useful; it announces the weather for the day, reports a variety of news snippets from around the world, and allows me to assess the differences between Siri and Google Assistant. I give up my privacy for that automated routine, but I've determined that I'm too irrelevant to care.
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I'm a huge Apple fan, all my tech is Apple. I was given, at my request, a pair of HomePod Mini's for Christmas. I was shocked to find that the only way I could use them as a stereo pair on my iMac was in the Music.App. I returned them, probably my first ever Apple purchase return.
To be totally clear, does this change mean that they'll appear in my Sound preferences as a pair and that I can set them as the default audio for my iMac?
The experience on my AppleTV wasn't that much better either.
-=Tim=-
To be totally clear, does this change mean that they'll appear in my Sound preferences as a pair and that I can set them as the default audio for my iMac?
The experience on my AppleTV wasn't that much better either.
-=Tim=-
YES finally, it took Apple 4 years but yes I will take it!
But Apple can do better in this, using both iMac speakers and HomePod stereo creates unreal sound effect.
Currently you can achieve this in Music app but manually tune it.
There shouldn’t be no speaker left behind
But Apple can do better in this, using both iMac speakers and HomePod stereo creates unreal sound effect.
Currently you can achieve this in Music app but manually tune it.
There shouldn’t be no speaker left behind
A smidge off topic but..
If you have a homepod pair as the default sound from an Apple 4k TV what happens with the other inputs (eg xbox, live tv via an aerial etc).Is that just sound via the TV?
is the setup for people with just an AppleTV?
If you have a homepod pair as the default sound from an Apple 4k TV what happens with the other inputs (eg xbox, live tv via an aerial etc).Is that just sound via the TV?
is the setup for people with just an AppleTV?
The other inputs just go to the TV, yes.
Dual HomePods for Apple TV are great if you don’t have a sound bar or other home theatre equipment or speakers.
Question: can a pair of HomePod minis be set as the default sound output for AppleTV? When I first got them, I tried it and had to select them via Airplay. The next time I powered on the TV, I had to select them again. Can they be the default yet?
you know when you're watching a movie and a car drives past the camera from left to right (or right to left)? for that.
I, too, am extremely glad they are finally adding this! Although I have no reason to use it (no homepod pairs in my house).
I would love an option to create "groups" of homepods so I could quickly send music to them without manually selecting them in iTunes/Music.
I would love an option to create "groups" of homepods so I could quickly send music to them without manually selecting them in iTunes/Music.
Should have been a feature since the release of HomePod, but better late than never. It surely is a welcome change.
Sure, disconnect the cable that goes to the wall.
Or, you know, don't buy a smart speaker if you don't want it to have a microphone. That's kind of their thing.
Because of latency - this won't be using AirPlay 2 either - Airplay 2 requires a buffer for it to work properely, you can't buffer real time audio - hence why they've not bothered with AirPlay 2 in macOS it doesn't really work for real time usage.
This are regular HomePod's, not the mini. You cannot set the mini as default audio out on Apple TV.
What do you mean by this? I have no issues with my WiFi and I have a stereo pair connected as default audio out.