Tag: HomePod

tvOS and HomePod software are updated to 16.3 today

by Danis Tazetdinov

Following the yesterday's updates to iOS and other platforms Apple now updates tvOS and HomePod software to 16.3.

Most notable feature would be enabling humidity and temperature sensors in HomePod mini.

HomePod software updates include: 

  • Temperature and humidity sensing measures your indoor climate with HomePod (2nd generation) and HomePod mini
  • Remastered ambient sounds are more immersive and can now be added to scenes, automations, and alarms in the Home app
  • Find My on HomePod now enables you to ask Sir for the location of friends and family, if they have shared it with you
  • Recurring Home automations can be set up using just your voice
  • Siri confirmation tone will now play to indicate when smart home requests are completed for accessories that may not visibly show a change or are located in a different room
  • Audio tuning optimizes spoken content such as podcasts for even greater clarity on HomePod (2nd generation) and HomePod (1st generation)
  • Updated volume controls on HomePod (1st generation) give you more granular adjustments at lower volumes

References:

Apple announces next generation HomePod

by Danis Tazetdinov

Following announcements on new Mac hardware Apple today announces update to HomePod.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMf_i1YBuMk
Introducing the all-new HomePod | Apple

Second generation HomePod gets S7 chip, UWB, temperature and humidity sensors. HomePod also gets Matter smart home standard support.

HomePod second generation follows design of original smart speaker while getting sound quality improvements too. However, it is noted that original HomePod could not be combined as stereo pair with second generation.

HomePod mini apparently also has temperature and humidity sensors. And those will be enabled with upcoming software update.

Sound Recognition feature comes to both new HomePod and HomePod mini to listen for smoke alarms in the house.

Apple Newsroom: Apple introduces the new HomePod with breakthrough sound and intelligence

References:

Just after iOS 16.2 release first beta for iOS 16.3 is published, other platforms too

by Danis Tazetdinov

Apple publishes iOS/iPadOS 16.3 beta 1, macOS 13.2 beta 1, watchOS 9.2 beta 1 and tvOS 16.3 beta 1. No corresponding Xcode beta is there yet.

iOS 16.3 and macOS 13.2 beta 1 bring support for hardware security keys for Apple ID second factor announced recently. iOS beta also now shows guidance on HomePod handoff process.

Apple Developer: Get ready with the latest beta releases

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes:

References:

Apple releases iOS 16.2 and other platforms

by Danis Tazetdinov

Following recent RC Apple now releases iOS/iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1 Ventura, watchOS 9.2 and tvOS 16.2. Xcode 14.2 is also released.

HomePodOS received corresponding update (which is required for Home updates and Matter support).

Apple also releases security bug fixes for previous OS releases - iOS 15 and macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS 12 Monterey.

This update brings several important updates:

Apple Newsroom: Apple launches Freeform: a powerful new app designed for creative collaboration

References:

HomePod mini to be available in more countries

by Danis Tazetdinov

Apple announces HomePod mini availability in Finland, Norway, Sweden in December 13. South Africa joins December 19. Denmark and possibly other countries to follow in spring.

Apple Newsroom: HomePod mini er tilgjengelig fra neste uke (no)

References:

Apple releases iPadOS 16.1, macOS 13 Ventura and other platforms

by Danis Tazetdinov

Apple releases major updates to iPadOS and macOS. iPadOS 16.1 and macOS 13 Ventura bring several notable features:

  • Stage Manager on both macOS and iPadOS (currently limited to several iPad models);
  • Weather app for both platforms;
  • Shared iCloud Photo Library.

iOS 16.1, watchOS 9.1 and tvOS 16.1 are also released today. HomePod software is also updated to 16.1 version.

These updates also bring:

  • Support for Matter smart home standard;
  • Live Activities on iPhone;
  • Clean Energy Charging in select US states;
  • New Siri UI and features for Apple TV;
  • A lot of other updates across the systems.

Interestingly, Apple Card Savings Account was not introduced with iOS 16.1. It is now expected to be added later.

Also Apple releases Safari 16.1 for older macOS releases.

iOS 16.1 brings support for SKAdNetwork 4.0. Update provides more details on ad performance, better analysis of web ads leading to App Store pages.

Xcode 14.1 gets second Release Candidate so far.

Beta download: Applications

Release notes: Xcode 14.1 RC2 Release Notes

Apple Newsroom:

Apple Developer:

References:

Apple releases iOS 15.6 and other platforms

by Danis Tazetdinov

After several beta versions and RCs, Apple finally releases iOS/iPadOS 15.6, macOS 12.5, watchOS 8.7 and tvOS 15.6. HomePod 15.6 software is also released.

Operating systems add improvements for sports live programming in TV app and fix some issues in all platforms, including critical security fixes.

HomePod software adds support for more Siri voice recognition languages.

Reference:

Apple releases iOS 15.2, macOS 12.1, Xcode 13.2 and other platforms

by Danis Tazetdinov

Big day for Apple users – macOS 12.1 Monterey with SharePlay support is released. iOS/iPadOS 15.2 is also released together with watchOS 8.3 and tvOS 15.2.

Important new features in the updates:

  • SharePlay is available on macOS 12.1 Monterey;
  • iOS, iPadOS, watchOS provide App Privacy Report allowing users to inspect app network activity in a friendly form;
  • Communication safety features for children are added, will notify children of potentially unsafe content;
  • Digital Legacy is now added allowing users to designate people to take care of Apple ID when user passes away;
  • Updates add support for Apple Music Voice plan;
  • Xcode 13.2 brings support for upcoming Swift Playgrounds 4 project format;
  • Swift Concurrency back deployment is now enabled in Xcode 13.2.

Xcode download from App Store might be broken for now

According to Developer Forums thread there might be issues with Xcode 13.2 downloaded from App Store. This issues might also be already resolved. In case, you see similar behavior, please use Developer Downloads section to get Xcode 13.2.

Together with macOS Monterey, Apple also pushed security updates for macOS Big Sur and macOS Catalina.

Apple also updates Developer Agreement to reflect changes related to Swift Playgrounds 4 and Xcode Cloud.

HomePodOS gets 15.2 update which brings new Siri languages including Dutch and Russian, hinting new territories for HomePod sales. tvOS 15.2 also gets new languages supported for Siri.

Notably, Universal Control feature is postponed til Spring 2022.

Release notes:

Reference:

Apple announces new MacBooks, AirPods 3 and new HomePod mini color options

by Danis Tazetdinov

Apple held "Unleashed." special event. During this event there were couple of important announcements made.

Important highlights:

  • New MacBook Pro models 14" and 16" featuring M1 Pro and M1 Max chips;
  • M1 Pro supports up to 32GB of RAM, features 8 high performance cores and 2 high efficiency cores and 16 graphic cores;
  • M1 Max supports up to 64GB of RAM, features 8 high performance cores and 2 high efficiency cores and up to 32 graphic cores;
  • New MacBooks feature HDMI port, SDXD card reader, MagSafe 3 power connector and 3 Thunderbolt/USB-C ports.
  • MacBooks now have up to 8TB of storage options;
  • New MacBook Pro feature Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion support (with up to 120Hz refresh rate);
  • New AirPods 3 feature AirPods Pro like design and spatial audio support, but without noise cancellation;
  • Apple quietly adds new charging case for AirPods Pro with MagSafe support;
  • New "Voice plan" is announced for Apple Music in select countries featuring lower price tier and Siri support;
  • New color options are announced for HomePod mini.

MacBooks, AirPods, HomePod minis are available for pre-order.