Apple Releases New Beta Software for HomePod

Alongside this morning's release of the new iOS 11.2.5 update, which introduces support for the HomePod, Apple has also released new beta software for HomePod.

The new software is not available through the Developer portal like a standard beta software update, but it will be downloadable by testers who have a HomePod. It is available via third-party software sites, so the general public can download it if desired.

homepodwhite
Apple's latest HomePod software update comes just over two weeks ahead of the official launch date of the device. Apple this morning announced plans to debut the HomePod on Friday, February 9, with initial orders to kick off on Friday, January 26.

Ahead of launch, HomePod devices are in the hands of Apple employees who are testing the smart speaker to iron out bugs before it becomes available for purchase later this week.

Apple has been beta testing the HomePod with its employees for several months now and has released several previous firmware updates.

Once the HomePod is released, it will presumably get regular software updates much like iOS devices, Macs, the Apple TV, and the Apple Watch.

Specifically, Apple has promised a future update that will bring support for multi-room playback and pairing multiple HomePod devices together for stereo sound, two features that will not be available at launch.

HomePod is Apple's Siri-based smart speaker that focuses heavily on high-quality sound. It incorporates a 7 tweeter array, an Apple-designed 4-inch upward-facing woofer, and an A8 chip to power features like spatial awareness.

A lot of new information was shared about HomePod this morning, so make sure to check out our HomePod roundup for complete details on Apple's smart speaker.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)

Popular Stories

App Store vs EU Feature 2

Apple Says It Doesn't Approve of EU Porn App

Monday February 3, 2025 1:15 pm PST by
Apple does not approve of the "Hot Tub" pornography app that was released for the iPhone in the EU using alternative app distribution, Apple said in a statement to MacRumors. Further, Apple is concerned about the potential user safety risks with a pornography app, and says that it undermines consumer trust in the Apple ecosystem. We are deeply concerned about the safety risks that hardcore...
General Apple Invites Feature

Apple Launches New 'Invites' App

Tuesday February 4, 2025 8:00 am PST by
Apple today announced the launch of a new app called "Invites," which is designed to allow users to plan events like birthday parties, graduations, vacations, baby showers, and more. "With Apple Invites, an event comes to life from the moment the invitation is created, and users can share lasting memories even after they get together," said Brent Chiu-Watson, Apple's senior director of...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Will Include These New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday February 5, 2025 7:15 am PST by
iOS 18.3 was released last month, so the first iOS 18.4 beta should be coming soon. iOS 18.4 is expected to be a more substantial update for the iPhone, with several new features and changes related to Apple Intelligence and beyond. Apple's website suggests that iOS 18.4 will be released in April, following beta testing. Below, we outline what to expect from the update so far. Apple...
maxresdefault

An Apple TV Refresh is Coming in 2025 - Here's What You Should Know

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:17 am PST by
Apple hasn't refreshed the Apple TV since 2022, but rumors suggest that we're finally going to get an update in 2025. We don't have a full picture of what to expect yet, but we have some hints on what's coming. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Updated A-Series Chip The current Apple TV 4K uses the A15 Bionic chip that was in the iPhone 13 lineup, and it's time for...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Raises Monthly AppleCare+ Subscription Price for All iPhones

Tuesday February 4, 2025 9:35 am PST by
Apple this week increased the prices for its monthly AppleCare+ subscription prices for the iPhone, raising the cost by 50 cents for all models in the United States. Standard AppleCare+ for the iPhone 16 models is now priced at $10.49 per month, for example, up from the prior $9.99 per month price. The 50 cent price increase applies to all available AppleCare+ plans for Apple's current...
iCloud General Feature Redux

'Apple Invites' Leaked on iCloud Website

Tuesday February 4, 2025 7:11 am PST by
Update: The new Apple Invites app has officially been announced. The main iCloud.com page has seemingly confirmed Apple's rumored invites tool, which has yet to be officially announced by the company. The page says "Apple Invites" will be an iCloud+ feature:Upgrade to iCloud+ to get more storage, plan events with Apple Invites, and have peace of mind with privacy features like iCloud...
apple power beats pro 2

Apple Expected to Announce Powerbeats Pro 2 on February 11 With These New Features

Sunday February 2, 2025 6:15 am PST by
Apple previously teased that Powerbeats Pro 2 would be released in 2025, and now an announcement date has leaked. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said Apple plans to unveil the wireless earbuds on Tuesday, February 11. Powerbeats Pro 2 will be priced at $250 in the U.S., he said. Powerbeats Pro are a sportier, fitness-focused alternative to AirPods Pro with built-in, adjustable ear hooks...
hot tub app eu

EU's AltStore Gets First Native iOS Pornography App

Monday February 3, 2025 11:13 am PST by
In the European Union, the Digital Markets Act allows developers to distribute iOS apps through alternate app stores. While Apple checks those apps for malware and other malicious content, there are few restrictions on subject matter, unlike Apple's own App Store. As a result, EU users can now download the first dedicated native pornography app created for the iPhone. Called Hot Tub, the app ...

Top Rated Comments

Braderunner Avatar
92 months ago
"Apple has been beta testing the HomePod with its employees for several months now", and now they are ready for their customers to do the same.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SD449 Avatar
92 months ago
I cannot believe they are releasing this without Stereo and multi-room support.

I bet the guys over at Sonos are rolling on the floor laughing

Edit for spelling
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
5105973 Avatar
92 months ago
I can’t get over how these companies are releasing the hardware without all of the software features worked out. It’s not just Apple, but I am disappointed Apple is getting a bit frumpy and sloppy like the rest.

I’ve got all these portrait modes that work rather awkwardly for months. I’m not paying such high prices to beta test this stuff. I want it to just work when I actually bought the item, not when it’s time to think about upgrading.

Grumpy rant over. ;)

I’m actually not that salty about it, but I am not liking this trend.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dugbug Avatar
92 months ago
Interesting blurb from Reddit (per loopinsight.com)

[LIST=1]
* They're using some form of dynamic modeling, and likely also current sensing that allows them to have a p-p excursion of 20 mm in a 4" driver. This is completely unheard of in the home market. You can read an introduction to the topic here ('http://www.audioxpress.com/article/louder-faithful-and-consistent-using-digital-signal-processing-to-improve-loudspeaker-performance'). The practical upshot is that that 4" driver can go louder than larger drivers, and with significantly less distortion. It's also stuff you typically find in speakers with five-figure price tags (The Beolab 90 does this, and I also suspect that the Kii Three does). It's a quantum leap over what a typical passive speaker does, and you don't really even find it in higher-end powered speakers


* The speaker uses six integrated beamforming microphones to probe the room dimensions, and alter its output so it sounds its best wherever it is placed in the room. It'll know how large the room is, and where in the room it is placed.


* The room correction applied after probing its own position isn't simplistic DSP of frequency response, as the speaker has seven drivers that are used to create a beamforming speaker array,. so they can direct specific sound in specific directions. The only other speakers that do this is the Beolab 90, and Lexicon SL-1. The Beolab 90 is $85,000/pair, and no price tag is set for the Lexicon, but the expectation in the industry is "astronomical".

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
k2director Avatar
92 months ago
First they announce it 6 months before its official launch, which is an unusually long cycle for a music accessory. Then they miss their own date by almost two months. Then they delay a pretty key feature (multi room audio) for, potentially, many additional months.

This ineptitude is appalling but it’s becoming the New Normal under Tim Cook. What is going on over there? Cook seems a lot more focused on politics and championing illegal immigrants than the basic nuts and bolts of disciplined, competent product delivery (AirPods that sell out before Christmas, late accessories for the IPhone X like the charging pad, missing features in major OS deliveries, years without major updates on MacBook Pro and Mac Pro, etc etc).

Wall Street hasn’t quite noticed the slow rot going on over there, but it eventually will and then it’s going to be a very very unpleasant — but deserved — experience for Mediocre Cook.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
itsmilo Avatar
92 months ago
Any iPhone XS Plus leaks included? :D
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)