Apple releases HomePod Software 18 with with shared music control
On September 16, Apple released the new HomePod Software 18 with SharePlay-based music control—a great feature for house parties.
As we explained earlier, only the primary user must have an Apple Music subscription. Other people can remotely add and remove songs from the HomePod’s Up Next queue using the Music app on their own device, and you as the organizer get to approve or deny requests to join the session. You can also invite others to participate via the QR code or simply bring an iPhone close to another iPhone.
This feature first appeared in the iOS 17.4 beta but was later pulled as Apple needed more time to perfect it. It’s now ready for prime time, so all you need to do to get it is update your HomePod and HomePod mini to the latest software.
To do so, open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, hit the … (More) menu in the top-right corner, choose Home Settings, then select Software Update. Apple confusingly calls HomePod firmwares as “HomePod Software” even though the HomePod and the Apple TV are based on tvOS.
What’s new in HomePod Software 18?
“HomePod Software version 18 introduces SharePlay so you can share control of your Apple Music playlist on iPhone or iPad, and guests can contribute to what’s playing on HomePod. This update also includes bug fixes and stability improvements,” reads the changelog on Apple’s website.
This completes SharePlay-based control in the Music app, previously rolled out across the iPhone and iPad. tvOS 18 brings the same feature to your Apple TV, letting you invite others to control Apple Music playback on your Apple TV, whether in the same room with you or on other parts of the globe.
Other new features in this HomePod update 18 include support for spatial audio when AirPlaying from an iPhone or iPad and the ability to manually pick a home hub like an Apple TV or HomePod for people with multiple smart home hubs.
Those using the HomePod as their Apple TV speaker will want to install tvOS 18 on their Apple TV as it allows them to use the Enhance Dialogue feature on their Siri speaker to boost actors’ voices.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2024/09/16/apple-releases-homepod-software-18-shareplay-music-control/
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