Apple has released HomePod 27.2, its latest software update for HomePod users. Here’s what’s new.
HomePod 27.2 adds Sound Glow, Lock Controls, Mac speaker support, and more
It’s not often that HomePod gets a software update with new features. But that’s exactly what happened today with HomePod 27.2.
The latest software update, which you can install from the Home app on your iPhone, supports four noteworthy new features:
- Sound Glow
- Lock Controls
- Mac speaker output
- Apple TV surround sound (coming soon)
Sound Glow is a new feature that turns the top of your HomePod “into a visual canvas that glows and pulses in sync with the music, reacting in real time to bass and treble.” Apple adds, “The song’s album artwork from Now Playing generates a color-matched light experience that’s unique to every song, and users can pick a soundscape like rain to trigger bespoke animations for a soothing atmosphere.”
HomePod 27.2 brings Sound Glow to HomePod (2nd generation) and HomePod mini, and it will also be supported on HomePod mini 2 later this week. You can see a hands-on in our video below:
Lock Controls is a new setting that lets you disable touch controls on the top of your HomePod. If you have a small child in your household, or perhaps a cat, this new option lets you streamline all HomePod control through your devices and voice only.
Mac speaker output lets you set one or a stereo pair of HomePods as the default audio output for your Mac. Provided you have a Mac with Wi-Fi 6E or later, you can use this new feature and never need to manually connect via AirPlay again.
Coming soon: Four-speaker surround sound with Apple TV
Finally, coming soon is a new four-speaker surround sound feature with the Apple TV 4K (4th gen), which arrives November 13. HomePod 27.2 adds support for surround sound even though users will have to wait to try it.
HomePod (2nd generation) and HomePod mini 2 are both compatible with surround sound. You can even mix-and-match large and small HomePods in your setup as long as front and rear speaker pairs match.
Apple explains: “four speakers work together with Apple TV 4K to intelligently recognize their position in the room so audio timing and levels are automatically calibrated to the space.”
What do you think of Sound Glow? Are you planning to use a four-speaker surround sound setup with your HomePods? Let us know in the comments.
Best Apple TV 4K and Home accessories
- AirPods Pro 3 (now only $199, down from $249)
- Anti-slip silicone case for Siri Remote, AirTag compatible
- TotalMount for mounting Apple TV
- HomeKit Garage Door Opener
- eufy 4K camera with HomeKit Secure Video
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