Apple Releases 14.2 Software for HomePod With New Siri, Intercom and Home Theater Features
Alongside iOS and iPadOS 14.2, Apple today released new 14.2 software for the HomePod, which includes support for new Siri and Intercom features. Today's update comes a couple of weeks after the release of HomePod 14.1 software.
With the update, Siri can now provide a personal snapshot of each HomePod user's day, offering up news information, weather, traffic, reminders, and more when asked "What's my update?"
Intercom now supports iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay, and the full-size HomePod can be connected to an Apple TV 4K for immersive sound. Apple's full release notes for the update are below:
Software version 14.2 includes support for new Siri, Intercom, and Home Theater features. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.
- Ask Siri "What's my update?" to hear a personal snapshot of your day that includes the news, weather, traffic, reminders, and calendar appointments.
- Intercom using iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay.
-Connect HomePod to Apple TV 4K and enjoy stereo, surround sound, and Dolby Atmos audio. Add a second HomePod for a more immersive soundstage.
HomePod software is installed automatically on the HomePod, but the HomePod can also be manually updated by following the instructions in our HomePod update how to.
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Top Rated Comments
First things first, requirements and set-up:
A). Upgrade Homepods and Apple TV 4K to final version of 14.2 (different build than the RC).
B). Make sure that the Homepods and the Apple TV are in the same room (via the Home app), as the Apple TV.
C). Makes sure that both of them AND the Apple TV, are set up as a hub for Homekit (no idea why this is necessary).
D). Make sure that the audio output of the Apple TV is set to Auto and that it says Atmos ON.
E). Makes sure that the Homepods are set as the default output of the Apple TV. If you don´t do this and merely select them from the Apple TV Airplay menu, the inmersive audio feature will not work or appear, and the homepods will sound the same as before.
F). Try some content with 5.1 or Atmos sound.
G). ENJOY.
First impressions playing Blade Runner 2049: The homepods sound pretty good, good bass as I expected. I can tell that there is an “ambient effect” and it’s better that hearing the movie in stereo. Sounds and effects have a spaciousness, however none of the “effects” give the illusion of coming from the rear or sides. It’s not mind blowing. Switching back to my Atmos sound bar with sub and rear speakers... there is no comparison. The sound bar wins hands down as I expected. I could see where homepods would make better sense in a smaller bedroom and there is a cost difference ~$700 for stereo homepods vs ~$900 5.1.2 sound bar w/ sub and wireless rear speakers. But my money would be on spending the extra $200 If you were choosing between the two. Of course if you already have bought a pair of homepods it‘s a nice upgrade, but calling it “surround” or Atmos is kinda stretch. Slightly better than the old stereo mode is what I’d say.