HomePod Think of getting a used original HomePod (not Mini)...

[Auggie]

Are the original large HomePod's still being supported in Apple's latest software?

Just bought a home and installing all kinds of "smart" devices, such as door locks, that are HomeKit compatible, but discovering to access these devices away from home, I need a HomePod, HomePod Mini, Apple TV or iPad (I have a 2018 iPad but I still can't access my locks way from home... maybe the iPad needs to completely "open" and not sleeping/screen-locked?). Was about to pull the trigger on the lastest $100 HomePod Mini's but found plenty of original HomePods on eBay for cheap, and I always wanted one of the originals.

Just don't want to be left with tech that's already no longer receiving software update from Apple (though I realize eventually that will happen).

 

[Itinj24]

To date, the OG HomePod has received the latest update.

As for the iPad acting as a Home Hub, make sure you go into the iPad settings and select it.

 

[haralds]

I do believe the iPad is no longer supported as a HomeHub, t least no in iPadOS 16.

 

[BobRey77]

Are the original large HomePod's still being supported in Apple's latest software?

Just bought a home and installing all kinds of "smart" devices, such as door locks, that are HomeKit compatible, but discovering to access these devices away from home, I need a HomePod, HomePod Mini, Apple TV or iPad (I have a 2018 iPad but I still can't access my locks way from home... maybe the iPad needs to completely "open" and not sleeping/screen-locked?). Was about to pull the trigger on the lastest $100 HomePod Mini's but found plenty of original HomePods on eBay for cheap, and I always wanted one of the originals.

Just don't want to be left with tech that's already no longer receiving software update from Apple (though I realize eventually that will happen).

OG HomePods are still supported. Mine recently updated to 15.6. The OG HomePod actually supports Spatial Audio which is not supported on the mini. There may be some other features as well that are not on the mini. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used OG HomePod at a good price. The OG sounds better than the mini so if that's important then the OG is a better option.

 

[w5jck]

Are the original large HomePod's still being supported in Apple's latest software?

Just bought a home and installing all kinds of "smart" devices, such as door locks, that are HomeKit compatible, but discovering to access these devices away from home, I need a HomePod, HomePod Mini, Apple TV or iPad (I have a 2018 iPad but I still can't access my locks way from home... maybe the iPad needs to completely "open" and not sleeping/screen-locked?). Was about to pull the trigger on the lastest $100 HomePod Mini's but found plenty of original HomePods on eBay for cheap, and I always wanted one of the originals.

Just don't want to be left with tech that's already no longer receiving software update from Apple (though I realize eventually that will happen).

The iPads are still capable of being used as hub in iPadOS 15, but it has to be plugged in (I think) and turned ON. So using an iPad as a hub is not an ideal thing to do. HomePod mini works as a hub and it supports threads, but I don't think the original HomePod supports threads. Another option for a hub is the ATV 4K, and at least the latest version supports threads. Threads is relatively new, but if you want an up to date hub you can grow your HomeKit environment around for several years, I would go with the HomePod mini or the latest ATV 4K both of which support threads technology.