Apple's expected to introduce a major HomePod software update this Fall that could significantly change how you use and enjoy the smart speaker. Among the features coming soon is the ability to make phone calls, manage several timers at once, translate text, and more.Â
It looks like Apple's audio team is going into overdrive. Three new audio products are expected to arrive early next year from the iPhone maker, including premium AirPods, a new HomePod, and "studio-quality" over-ear headphones, according to Bloomberg.
Shortcuts, Apple's new vision for Siri and automation on the iOS platform, is a new feature in iOS 12 that many power users and fans of the Workflow automation app will appreciate a lot.
Sonos today unveiled a brand-new smart sound bar for your TV with dual-assistant support and beam-forming mics whilst confirming that Siri voice control and AirPlay 2, the latest and greatest version of Apple's local media-streaming technology, are both coming to the One, second-generation Play:5, Playbase and future speakers via a free software update in July.
AirPlay 2 brings the ability to control audio across multiple speakers from your HomePod, iPhone, iPad or Apple TV. You can use voice commands to do things like play music in a particular room, play different songs on different speakers, enjoy a playlist on all or just specific speakers, continue playing a track on another speaker and more. Here's our list of the best AirPlay 2 Siri voice commands that are specific to multi-room audio support.
Has price kept you from buying a HomePod? At what price point would you consider ditching Google or Amazon and buying a smart speaker from Apple? What about $250? That's the price one Apple analyst predicts Apple will charge for a new Beats-branded speaker that could be announced at next week's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).Â
The newly released HomePod update is the Siri-based speaker's most significant software update since the device was first released in February. Version 11.4 adds key features, including multi-room and stereo pairing.
Following its January launch in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, Apple is keeping true to its promise by announcing today that the HomePod wireless speaker has been scheduled to expand to Canada, France and Germany on Monday, June 18.
Apple will release the iOS 11.4 update later today, bringing new features to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch device owners such as AirPlay 2, BuzzFeed News reported Tuesday morning.
There's a new leader in the growing smart speaker market. During the first quarter of 2018, Google overtook Amazon for the top spot. Meanwhile, Apple's nowhere to be found in the new Canalys survey of the top smart speaker producers in the world, suggesting it might be awhile before the HomePod maker makes a mark in the emerging product category.
A sketchy report published Monday would have us believe that Apple is working on a more affordable HomePod model with Beats branding that would be priced below $200.
HomePod will be picking up support for the stock Calendar app with iOS 11.4.