Apple releases HomePod software update 14.1 with Intercom

Posted:
in General Discussion edited November 2020
Apple released the first HomePod software update based on iOS 14 on Tuesday, with version 14.1 bringing support for the HomePod mini and Intercom.

HomePod software version 14.1 is now available
HomePod software version 14.1 is now available


Tuesday's update, HomePod software version 14.1, aligns with the other Apple operating systems. HomePod runs specialized software based on tvOS and does not have an open beta program.

Apple first teased HomePod software version 14 during WWDC with support for third-party music services like Spotify and HomeKit support for doorbell facial recognition. Apple then announced further updates for the HomePod mini and a new Intercom feature.



Release Notes

Software version 14.1 includes support for HomePod mini and new Siri and Intercom features. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.

HomePod mini

  • Setup and automatically transfer your Apple ID, Apple Music, Siri and Wi-Fi settings to HomePod mini

Siri

  • Siri suggestions appear in Maps when you ask HomePod for information about a location

  • Web search requests to HomePod can be sent from HomePod to your iPhone

  • Siri can now stop alarms, timers, and media across HomePod speakers

  • Voice recognition support for Podcasts for multiple users in the home

Intercom

  • Ask HomePod to make announcements to other HomePod speakers throughout your home

  • Intercom to all HomePod speakers

  • Intercom to a HomePod in a specific room or zone

Other improvements and fixes

  • Add music to your alarms and wake up to your personal song, playlist, or radio station from Apple Music

  • Fixes an issue where stereo pairs can sometimes play out of sync

  • Improves reliability when using Siri to control multiple speakers

  • Optimizes Siri performance
The HomePod mini goes on sale on November 6 for pre-order and will ship the week of November 16.

Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod or HomePod mini. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider Daily," and you'll get a fast update direct from the AppleInsider team.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 17
    And Apple HomePods now also available in Sweden

    …not
    edited October 2020 gregoriusm
  • Reply 2 of 17
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,275member
    Hoping this fixes the minor annoyance where the volume increases when you skip a track. When you reduce the volume, the next song plays at a reduced level or the previous volume if you didn't reduce the volume.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 17
    "Fixes an issue where stereo pairs can sometimes play out of sync"

    Not the first time they made that claim.
    razorpit
  • Reply 4 of 17
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,834member
    Appleish said:
    "Fixes an issue where stereo pairs can sometimes play out of sync"

    Not the first time they made that claim.
    If it's anything like my applications development, there are different scenarios that can trigger a bug. 

    The good news is I've not run into this with my HomePods, despite daily use as my ATV speakers. Had some issues with YouTube in the past, but that app seems to be working better in 14.
    lollivergregoriusmwatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 17
    Is intercom only available in certain countries? I’ve updated to 14.1 and intercom is nowhere to be seen. In Australia. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 17
    jcbigears said:
    Is intercom only available in certain countries? I’ve updated to 14.1 and intercom is nowhere to be seen. In Australia. 
    Same here in UK
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 17
    JanNLJanNL Posts: 327member
    jcbigears said:
    Is intercom only available in certain countries? I’ve updated to 14.1 and intercom is nowhere to be seen. In Australia. 
    Same here in UK
    For me intercom is working, together with doorbell on HomePod and person recognition on HK camera’s. How? I think you need 14.2 (beta) on the HomePods.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 17
    Updated iPhone to 14.1. No update for HomePods.

    Restarted iPhone, just in case. Still no update. 13.4.8 is the 'up to date.'

    Between the fiddly software, the lack of ease with third party audio apps (such as SirusXM, and the insane incompatibility (no stereo!!? Really!!?) with my brand new MacBook Pro, regretting ever buying these things. 

    On edit: Fun new twist! Home app thinks I am on a different WiFi from the HomePods. (I'm not).
    edited October 2020
  • Reply 9 of 17
    jcbigears said:
    Is intercom only available in certain countries? I’ve updated to 14.1 and intercom is nowhere to be seen. In Australia. 
    I am in the U.K. and have it
    gregoriusmwatto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 17
    Appleish said:
    Updated iPhone to 14.1. No update for HomePods.

    Restarted iPhone, just in case. Still no update. 13.4.8 is the 'up to date.'

    Between the fiddly software, the lack of ease with third party audio apps (such as SirusXM, and the insane incompatibility (no stereo!!? Really!!?) with my brand new MacBook Pro, regretting ever buying these things. 

    On edit: Fun new twist! Home app thinks I am on a different WiFi from the HomePods. (I'm not).
    Same thing happened to me, but then I tapped the Back button and it showed that there was an update available. It's installing right now. Hope this helps.
    gregoriusmwatto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 17
    wwinter86 said:
    jcbigears said:
    Is intercom only available in certain countries? I’ve updated to 14.1 and intercom is nowhere to be seen. In Australia. 
    I am in the U.K. and have it
    Do you have it just on the HomePods or on your iPhone too?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 17
    AppleInsider said:
    Siri can now stop alarms, timers, and media across HomePod speakers
    Either I'm not understanding this or it's not working for me... This morning, one of the alarms sounded on one of my HomePods. From another room where there is another HomePod, I said "Siri, stop" which is what I always say to stop an alarm from sounding. Siri responded by asking if i was referring to the name of the HomePod in the room where the alarm was sounding. I said yes, but the alarm continued to sound. I could not stop it except from the HomePod with the sounding alarm. All HomePods were updated to 14.1 yesterday.
    watto_cobraAlex1N
  • Reply 13 of 17
    cpsrocpsro Posts: 3,192member
    I use my old HomePod mostly for listening to streaming news radio (e.g., NPR), but I hardly use it at all due to highly annoying thumps from wind buffetting and people speaking too closely to their mic or without an adequate pop filter. I am astounded Apple overlooked this awful downside to enhancing/passing extreme bass. Users should be able to turn it off. I bought one HomePod and will never buy another until this is fixed.
    edited October 2020
  • Reply 14 of 17
    laytechlaytech Posts: 335member
    jcbigears said:
    Is intercom only available in certain countries? I’ve updated to 14.1 and intercom is nowhere to be seen. In Australia. 
    Same, not here in Australia. Weird why only certain countries?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 15 of 17
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    Seems to me like this could be merged with the walkie talkie functionality on Apple Watch for a broader audio pager functionality across the Apple ecosystem.
  • Reply 16 of 17
    "Fixes an issue where stereo pairs can sometimes play out of sync"

    Didn't work. Third party music apps such as Sirius/XM still often sound like when you partially pull a 
    headphone jack out and it sounds echoey. 

    Other than restarting the HomePods, I have found opening the Apple Music app sometimes fixes it. 
    zroger73
  • Reply 17 of 17
    cpsro said:
    I use my old HomePod mostly for listening to streaming news radio (e.g., NPR), but I hardly use it at all due to highly annoying thumps from wind buffetting and people speaking too closely to their mic or without an adequate pop filter. I am astounded Apple overlooked this awful downside to enhancing/passing extreme bass. Users should be able to turn it off. I bought one HomePod and will never buy another until this is fixed.
    Sooooo .... you think it's Apples problem to fix shitty production values of someone else's podcast???
    zroger73SpamSandwichwatto_cobraAlex1N
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