Apple Confirms HomePod's Supported Audio Sources in Tech Specs

Thursday February 1, 2018 6:26 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today updated its HomePod tech specs page with a new Audio Sources section that lists all of the ways in which the speaker can stream audio, setting the record straight on some conflicting information.


• Apple Music: HomePod users can ask Siri to play any of over 45 million songs available on Apple Music. A subscription is required.

• iTunes Music: HomePod users can ask Siri to play any songs, albums, or audiobooks purchased from the iTunes Store.

• iCloud Music Library: HomePod users can ask Siri to play any songs uploaded to a user's iCloud Music Library, including songs imported from other sources such as CDs, with an Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription.

• Beats 1: HomePod users can ask Siri to play Apple's official radio station.

• Podcasts: HomePod users can ask Siri to play any podcast episodes from the iTunes podcast directory.

• AirPlay: HomePod users can use AirPlay to play other audio from an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Mac. AirPlay 2, coming later this year, is only required to stream audio from these sources to multiple HomePods.

Earlier this week, iMore's Serenity Caldwell put together a useful breakdown with more detailed information about how the HomePod works with Apple Music, iTunes Match, iCloud Music Library, AirPlay, and more.

HomePod orders began last week ahead of the speaker's official launch on February 9 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Tags: AirPlay, Podcasts, iTunes Match, Beats 1, iCloud Music Library
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)
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frozen220
27 months ago
Wait a minute, so when my friends come over with a non-Apple device they can't connect via Bluetooth? WTF????
Rating: 39 Votes
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KidAKidB
27 months ago

And the obvious Bluetooth is left out. Why?


So that it remains anti-competitive and forces users to stay within the Apple ecosystem. (That way you can't use it with an Android device or something)
Rating: 34 Votes
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Madmic23
27 months ago

And the obvious Bluetooth is left out. Why?


Because if you're having a party, no one wants the music to stop when you get a phone call.

Sonos speakers don't support Bluetooth audio either.
Rating: 26 Votes
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Raketemensch
27 months ago

So that it remains anti-competitive and forces users to stay within the Apple ecosystem. (That way you can't use it with an Android device or something)


...or Spotify without doing it through a phone/tablet.

Valiant effort, Apple, but it won't be appearing in my home anytime soon. Voice control of Spotify would sell me, but bleh.
Rating: 21 Votes
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sziehr
27 months ago
So lets talk about how bad Sonos really is. I can not cast to it from anything period but the Sonos App. People here are like super defenders of them. They are no different from apple in fact they are worse. If you could chrome cast to a Sonos and airplay then I could see the defense of the omi speaker system. The problem is Sonos has no interest in supporting chrome casting right now. They are probably going to support Air play 2 at some point in the future. So lets compare this Homepod to what it is a very nice version of the Bowers Zepplin for half the cost. The fact Siri is hanging around is just a bonus. This is not a Sonos / Alexa competitor. This is a Bowers and Wilkins competitor.

I know I am going to get flak for this but lets face it there is no perfect speaker that is bluetooth and wifi and chrome casting and airplay 2.

the day that speaker is made people will flock to it. I think Sonos is trying to decide if they want to build that speaker and let people out of the app echo system they created. Sonos could be the white knight but I have to say I am returning all of mine this weekend cause I can not cast anything to them. I use my speaker for more than just music and podcast. I use it to play audio from the iPad in the kitchen for the news while I cook. Sonos can not do that task from android or ios. This is a huge limiting factor for them

So I am buying a home pod why cause I will more than likely never own said device IE android so what am I losing nothing.

My friends are almost all ios.

If this supported bluetooth audio then down the road that would be nice when they came over with the 2 droids I know.

That still does not make Sonos better.
Rating: 21 Votes
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Zeke92
27 months ago

No Spotify or Bluetooth connectivity, NO DEAL

You can play Spotify via AirPlay!
Rating: 15 Votes
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kemal
27 months ago
And the obvious Bluetooth is left out. Why?
Rating: 14 Votes
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BlueGoldAce
27 months ago

Because if you're having a party, no one wants the music to stop when you get a phone call.

Sonos speakers don't support Bluetooth audio either.


That is a silly excuse. I guarantee that is not their thinking. If it supported Bluetooth, than an Android device could use it. That is, more than likely, the reasoning.

Sonos doesn't support bluetooth, but it supports Android, iOS, Mac, PC.....so they don't need to.

Apple is great, but lets not make silly excuses to defend them.
Rating: 13 Votes
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zea
27 months ago
Sweet. Apple TV connectivity finally officially confirmed.
Rating: 13 Votes
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citysnaps
27 months ago



I am not worrying about you. Just arguably laughing to myself why would you spend $349 for a not so good mono-speaker that needs a secondary $349 investment to make it stereo.


Keep laughing if that makes you happy. I always wonder why people are so concerned and get so juiced up about what others do, especially with their money.


"...why would you spend $349 for a not so good mono-speaker that needs a secondary $349 investment to make it stereo."

How long have you been listening to yours, in order to render that assessment?
Rating: 12 Votes

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