Customers can now stream Apple Music on Google Nest speakers and Google Assistant-enabled ones in five additional countries, including Canada and Australia.
Google Nest users in five additional countries can now stream Apple Music
Speaker
SpeakerFirst prioritizes the iPhone’s loudspeaker when tapping the speaker button in a call
When you place or receive a phone call on your iPhone, the speaker option can be incredibly useful when you don’t plan to hold the handset up to your ear.
Apple launches new HomePod mini colors
You can now purchase Apple's HomePod mini in three new colors — orange, yellow and blue — for the same asking price of $99 as the existing black and white versions.
HomePod Software version 15: Apple TV control via Siri, HomePod mini pairs, other new features
With iOS 15, HomePod gets several new features like creating a stereo pair from two HomePod minis, controlling media playback on your Apple TV with Siri on your HomePod and much more. Here's everything new, enhanced and improved in HomePod Software version 15.
Some HomePod owners reporting issues after updating the firmware
HomePod software version 14.6 is reportedly causing issues for some people like bricking the Siri-powered speaker. Apple's upcoming HomePod firmware version 15.0 is affected, too.
Silence keyboard clicks when using Bluetooth audio devices with BluetoothNoClicks
I use Bluetooth audio devices just as often as the next guy — whether it’s a pair if AirPods or Bluetooth headphones for personal music consumption or taking a phone call, or a simple Bluetooth speaker to keep the party raging.
As much as I love the convenience wireless audio transmission for these purposes, one thing that really annoys me is the pecking and popping of my keyboard on these Bluetooth devices when I’m typing a text message reply or searching the web.
LG is rolling out its 2021 soundbar lineup with built-in AirPlay 2 support
Korean consumer electronics maker LG has launched its soundbar lineup for 2021 with built-in support for AirPlay 2, Apple's device-to-device media streaming technology.
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AirPlay 2 is supported across all of LG's 2021 soundbars. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround systems are also supported. The soundbars work with Google and Amazon assistants as well. LG's 2021 soundbars have AirPlay 2 built-inAs per the announcement on the LG website, the new soundbars deliver a premium audio experience and convenient control along with eco-consciousness designs and packaging.
“The new lineup offers high-quality audio, easy connectivity, smart functionality and stylish aesthetics with a modern look designed to complement LG’s stunning TVs and works well with any décor,” the company notes.
The 2021 lineup is compatible with Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for hands-free voice and playback control. With AirPlay 2, Apple customers can stream, control and share their favorite music and other content directly from their iPhone, iPad or Mac.
The new soundbars also support LG TV’s AI Sound Pro feature.
Audio from the TV is played through the soundbar via TV Sound Mode Share, delivering the superior audio processing power of AI Sound Pro on the more capable speakers of the new soundbars. LG’s soundbars now offer all of the same sound modes as its latest TVs, allowing users to easily switch between the soundbar and the TV using the TV remote.
Other notable features of the new 2021 LG soundbar lineup include support for the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround audio formats, in addition to Dolby Vision compatibility via 4K pass-through, Meridian Audio tuning and the latest Meridian Horizon technology.
Some of the models are Hi-Res Audio certified for lossless playback at 24-bit/96kHz.
Compared to the original version, AirPlay 2 improves buffering while adding support for multi-room audio and streaming audio to stereo speakers. AirPlay is accessible on iOS, iPadOS and macOS devices through the Control Center, the Home app and the Siri assistant.
Image credit: LG Electronics
HomePod mini vs Amazon Echo: Which should you buy?
Apple introduced a tinier version of its popular HomePod called HomePod mini. This smart speaker is not only smaller in size, but also in price as compared to its parent. Both of these features put the HomePod mini more in the running as a direct competitor to the Amazon Echo.
Whether for yourself or a gift for a loved one, you might be trying to decide between the two (or three including the Amazon Echo Dot). To help, we have a comparison of HomePod mini versus Amazon Echo. Hopefully this will help you pick the best smart speaker for your home or someone else’s.
HomePod mini FAQ: All your questions answered
Thinking of purchasing a HomePod mini? Or maybe you ordered one but now have some general questions? Look no further; iDownloadBlog is here to help! We have answers to some of the most common questions surrounding Apple’s HomePod mini.
Servicing HomePod mini without AppleCare+ is only $20 cheaper vs. buying a new one
If you don't have optional AppleCare+ extended warranty for the HomePod mini, Apple will charge you a fee of $79 per an out-of-warranty repair of the new $99 Siri-powered speaker — which is only $20 cheaper vs. buying a new one. Apple announced the new HomePod mini a month ago in an effort to widen the addressable market for its smart speakers. The full-size HomePod wasn't updated last month and continues to retail for $299.
A smaller, lower-priced HomePod apparently on the docket for the Apple event
Aside from the new iPhone 12 family, Apple's upcoming October 13 “Hi, Speed” event will serve as a launchpad for a smaller, more affordable HomePod speaker model, according to a serial leaker who also cautioned against a second-generation update to the current model.
Sonos S2 operating system upgrade, for compatible speakers only
Sonos' wireless speaker system is receiving the Sonos S2 operating system update this month. It will bring "new features, usability updates, and more personalization moving forward... to enable higher resolution audio technologies for music and home theater." But, not all Sonos products will receive the benefit. More concerning, if you have a collection of mixed compatible speakers, you may need two apps to enjoy your hardware.