HomePod software now based on tvOS instead of iOS, report claims
Apple's HomePod operating system is now reportedly based on tvOS instead of iOS, according to a recent analysis of the firmware's code.
The 13.4 operating system update for HomePod was released in March, alongside new versions of iOS, iPadOS and tvOS. At the time, release notes claimed performance improvements and bug fixes, but it appears Apple made a larger change to HomePod's OS that escaped notice until now.
While the HomePod 13.4 software update contained no major user-facing features, 9to5Mac found that the firmware now runs on Apple's tvOS operating system instead of iOS.
Both tvOS and the software that runs on HomePod are variants of iOS, so while there are small differences, the underlying core of the operating systems are the same.
Word of the transition to tvOS arrives after Bloomberg on Monday reported that Apple was working on a new HomePod model that would be about half the size of the original and is expected to retail for a lower price.
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.
The 13.4 operating system update for HomePod was released in March, alongside new versions of iOS, iPadOS and tvOS. At the time, release notes claimed performance improvements and bug fixes, but it appears Apple made a larger change to HomePod's OS that escaped notice until now.
While the HomePod 13.4 software update contained no major user-facing features, 9to5Mac found that the firmware now runs on Apple's tvOS operating system instead of iOS.
Both tvOS and the software that runs on HomePod are variants of iOS, so while there are small differences, the underlying core of the operating systems are the same.
Word of the transition to tvOS arrives after Bloomberg on Monday reported that Apple was working on a new HomePod model that would be about half the size of the original and is expected to retail for a lower price.
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
So, in that case, it's good! Might be coincidence, but it never worked right before.
iOS HomeKit Siri sucked. I have no hope that it will get better on tvOS for us non-tvOS people, or at least not worse, if that's even possible.
This is sarcasm right? HomePod was never an Echo competitor.
Well that did cross my mind too.
The reason they might think about this is that video conferencing seems to have become very popular over the past month or so. I was thinking that there might be a market for a device that … then I remembered the iPad.
I like how it suddenly blasts the sound if you’re on a movie’s main menu. Nothing like waking the kids up from a deep sleep late at night.fastasleep said: Some of my favorites, “Siri add garbage bags to the Costco list.” “I’m sorry you don’t have a Kostco list.” It’s usually at this point the wife laughs and several attempts later Siri will either finally do it, or I’ll tell my 3 series watch and it nails it every time.daven said: Still can’t believe Apple gave up the network stack. Of all things to keep going even if it wasn’t a huge profit center, you don’t give up your ability to control the heart of your network security. Of all the things people want to criticize Tim for, this is one thing they need to criticize him for.
Perfect!
Right now, I have to turn on the TV with my TV remote, turn on the separate Sanyo POS speaker with another remote and then turn on my AppleTV with the Apple remote. Once I'm there, at least I can put the volume up or down using the Apple Remote. If I pause it too long, I have to go thru this process again. Ugh!