Apple's macOS Monterey 12.3 update is ready for public consumption, bringing such improvements to your Mac as the new cross-device Universal Control feature, head tracking for spatial audio and other perks. The update was released on Monday, March 14, 2022, alongside iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 for the iPhone and iPad.
Spatial Audio
HomePod now does both spatial and lossless audio, HomePod mini limited to lossless playback
HomePod, Apple's full-size smart speaker, is no longer manufactured but is still powerful enough to gain support for both spatial audio and lossless audio on Apple Music. HomePod mini, on the other hand, remains limited to lossless audio for the time being.
Apple reveals new AirPods with Spatial Audio support, water resistance, new design, and $179 price tag
At today's "Unleashed" event, Apple revealed what's next for AirPods. The announcement started with a deeper look at Spatial Audio, which is a feature baked into Apple Music with supported hardware. And Apple is expanding that feature.
HomePod 15.1 beta adds support for Dolby Atmos and Lossless Audio
Along with the beta versions of iOS 15.1 and tvOS 15.1, Apple also seeded the next update for the HomePod lineup. With HomePod software version 15.1, Apple is welcoming back a couple of features that have been in the works for quite some time. Both of which should be welcomed additions to the smart speaker lineup.
Netflix is rolling out support for Spatial Audio
A bit of a back-and-forth earlier this year had some folks interested in listening to Netflix content with Spatial Audio support excited for the future -- and then not so much. However, it turns out it was all a bit of misdirection on Netflix's part, because while the streaming company said it wasn't testing support for the feature, the feature is now live anyway.
Billie Eilish promotes Apple Music spatial audio in new Apple video
Apple has teamed up with the popular American singer and songwriter Billie Eilish on a new short film promoting the company's new Apple Music spatial audio feature.
Apple Music Spatial Audio doesn’t work with the built-in speakers in iPhone XR, iPad mini, and iPad
With the arrival of Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos in Apple Music earlier this year, the expectation was that the feature would work with a variety of different Apple-branded devices right out of the box. And that's certainly the case (especially with Lossless audio quality). But it turns out Apple has had to revise the list of supported devices that support the upgraded listening experience from the built-in speakers.
New AirPods Pro firmware adding ambient noise reduction and spatial audio for FaceTime calls
Apple is now testing upcoming AirPods Pro firmware that will bring software support for some of iOS 15's audio features like ambient noise reduction and spatial audio for FaceTime calls.
Verizon Adaptive Sound is the carrier’s take on spatial audio, rolling out now to some phones
Spatial audio is an important feature in Apple's long list of features. It's one of the elements that the company hopes will get Apple Music to stand out from the competition. But Apple isn't the only company with this surround sound experience. Even Verizon is getting in on the fun.
Apple Music for Android is rolling spatial and lossless audio support, plus other new features
Apple is now testing the latest Apple Music features for its Android client, including support for spatial audio and lossless audio, as well as automatic crossfading and other perks.
Apple Music goes ‘beyond stereo’ in new Spatial Audio ad
Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos is one of the newest features available for Apple Music subscribers. The best part is that it's free, a boost to the audio experience without boosting the monthly price. Now, Apple's promoting the new feature in a brand new ad.
Apple Music almost has me sold on Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
I can still remember what it was like hauling around a portable CD player with me everywhere I went back in my high school days. That was before MP3s really took off. Forking over money for some worthwhile headphones was worth it back then, maybe even more so than it is today for most use cases. But that digital takeover was inevitable, and, eventually, I was hauling around all sorts of different MP3 players instead of that CD player.