Apple today released a new beta version of the HomePod 15 software, and it appears that the update introduces Lossless Audio support for the HomePod and the HomePod mini.
Back in June, Apple added higher-quality Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio support to Apple Music, but at launch, Lossless Audio was not available on the HomePod or the HomePod mini. Apple in a support document clarified that Lossless Audio would come to the HomePod and HomePod mini in the future, and it appears the higher quality audio will be available this fall when the new HomePod 15 software is available to the public.
According to 9to5Mac, those who have the HomePod 15 beta software can enable Lossless Audio by opening up the Home app, tapping the Home icon in the upper left corner, selecting "Home Settings" and then tapping the user profile.
From there, scroll down to "Media" and select the "Apple Music" tab, toggling on "Lossless Audio." When playing a song that supports Lossless quality, the Apple Music player will feature a Lossless icon to make it clear that you're listening to the Lossless tier.
It is not clear if there are other features in the HomePod 15 beta, but the prior updates have led to complaints about sudden failures and overheating, which may have been caused by the new software.
The HomePod 15 beta is available on an invite-only basis from Apple and it is not widely available to developers or public beta testers.
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Edit: After running the same logs all day, and still seeing AAC being called for all Lossless songs, finally am actually now getting Lossless. Both through Apple TV, Homepod independent of Device. and Macbook. That being said, the Toggle option referred to in the Article is actually present from Beta 1 on many Reddit posts as it was there during that time. This could not be reproduced with the Homepods as a Stereo Pair, As default Audio for Apple TV, nor separately.
oCntentItemChange for path origin-Space Grey-468769720/client-com.apple.Music-29/player-Music <MRContentItem: 0x13de74910> {
identifier = "NHe4lklnw\U2206HXHFl4SpH";
metadata = {
activeFormat = {
audioChannelLayoutDescription = Stereo;
bitDepth = 24;
bitrate = 0;
channelLayout = 6619138;
codec = 1634492771;
groupID = "audio-alac-stereo-44100-24";
multiChannel = 0;
sampleRate = 44100;
spatialized = 0;
stableVariantID = b2337035c1573664a9aacf67d9cab3e7cc4bd40a55ad006bf00707e18ab81cc8;
tier = 2;
};
activeFormatJustification = 100;
alternativeFormats = (
);
formatTierPreference = 4;
preferredFormat = {
audioChannelLayoutDescription = Stereo;
bitDepth = 24;
bitrate = 0;
channelLayout = 6619138;
codec = 1634492771;
groupID = "audio-alac-stereo-44100-24";
multiChannel = 0;
sampleRate = 44100;
spatialized = 0;
stableVariantID = b2337035c1573664a9aacf67d9cab3e7cc4bd40a55ad006bf00707e18ab81cc8;
tier = 2;
[0xE0C1] Created compression source 0x5C34. input=PCM, 48000 Hz, 32-bit, Stereo, Float, output=ALAC, 48000 Hz, 24-bit, Stereo, 352 samples/packet, layoutTag=0650002, vbr=256000, codecQuality=CodecQualityMode_Medium
ACAppleLosslessEncoder.cpp:755 (0x10920fe40) Output format: 2 ch, 48000 Hz, alac (0x00000003) from 24-bit source, 352 frames/packet
[0x05C3] New Cached Fmt Desc for ALAC, 48000 Hz, 24-bit, Stereo, 352 samples/packet
The HomePod farce is becoming a real joke. Discontinuing the original HomePod, promoting it on the packaging of the new ATV after it discontinued, then releasing new updates that fry it, there’s numerous reports of a mysterious plopping noise, … it’s like Apple really wants to fail in the home cinema and smart home department. All at once.