HomePod Beta 2 Adds Option to Select New Default Services for Music, Podcasts and Audiobooks

Apple has provided HomePod beta software to a selection of AppleSeed testers, and today released a second version of the ‌HomePod‌ update alongside iOS 14 beta 2.

defaultmusicservicesetting
The second ‌HomePod‌ software beta update adds an option to select a new default service for Apple Music, Podcasts, and Audiobooks as noted on Twitter and the MacRumors forum.

defaultmusicservicesetting2
Apple at WWDC did not publicly announce the new option that will allow other music services to be set as the default on the ‌HomePod‌, but there was a brief mention of the feature on a HomeKit-related slide.

At the current time, third-party music services like Spotify can only be streamed on the ‌‌HomePod‌‌ using AirPlay and an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The new feature will presumably allow Spotify and other music services to be set as the default music service, letting users ask Siri to stream music from Spotify.

Third-party app developers may need to implement support for the ‌HomePod‌, as Spotify is not listed as an option at the current time.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Buy Now)

Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
50 months ago
Alright, who are you, and what did you do with the real Apple?!
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
50 months ago
Let’s add Bluetooth too.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
50 months ago

How could you go back to bluetooth after W1/H1 and AirPlay? It was a sigh of relief to finally rid my house of those standard bluetooth devices.
So that way if I have a non Apple device I want to use or a friend comes over and doesn’t have an iPhone I can still use it.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boss.king Avatar
50 months ago

Alright, who are you, and what did you do with the real Apple?!
Anti-trust hearings are a hell of a drug.


How could you go back to bluetooth after W1/H1 and AirPlay? It was a sigh of relief to finally rid my house of those standard bluetooth devices.
More compatibility is better than less compatibility. It would take almost no effort to enable, and would only be used if the device didn't have the special Apple chips. Why wouldn't you want that ability?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shing Avatar
50 months ago
If SiriusXM is included I’ll buy a HomePod.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Steelers7510 Avatar
50 months ago
I've never wanted a HomePod until now.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Delta Feature

Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone

Wednesday April 17, 2024 9:58 am PDT by
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of...
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Translate

All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated

Tuesday April 16, 2024 6:54 am PDT by
Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch ...
Provenance Emulator

PlayStation, GameCube, Wii, and SEGA Emulator for iPhone and Apple TV Coming to App Store

Friday April 19, 2024 8:29 am PDT by
The lead developer of the multi-emulator app Provenance has told iMore that his team is working towards releasing the app on the App Store, but he did not provide a timeframe. Provenance is a frontend for many existing emulators, and it would allow iPhone and Apple TV users to emulate games released for a wide variety of classic game consoles, including the original PlayStation, GameCube, Wii,...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With the New App Store Delta Game Emulator

Wednesday April 17, 2024 12:19 pm PDT by
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iOS NES Emulator Bimmy Feature

NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store [Removed]

Tuesday April 16, 2024 11:33 am PDT by
The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any...