Apple is rolling out a significant software update,version 26,for its HomePod and HomePod mini devices next week,bringing two key enhancements to teh smart speaker experience. This update arrives as users await potential new hardware announcements,focusing rather on refining the audio and multi-room capabilities of existing models.
Apple’s HomePod devices are getting new software features next week, including music crossfade and improved multi-room audio controls.
- HomePod software version 26 adds Apple Music Crossfade for seamless song transitions.
- Multi-room audio control via voice commands now works with any AirPlay stream, not just Apple Music.
- The update is available for both HomePod mini and the original HomePod.
- Crossfade duration can be customized from 1 to 12 seconds.
- The update officially launches on September 15.
Apple Music crossfade Arrives
The most notable addition is the long-awaited Crossfade feature for Apple Music playback. This allows for smooth transitions between songs, where the outgoing track fades out as the next one fades in. It’s a feature many audiophiles have craved for continuous listening without jarring stops.
To activate Crossfade, users need to navigate to the Home app, then Home Settings, select People, tap thier name, go to Apple Music, and toggle crossfade. The duration can be adjusted anywhere from 1 to 12 seconds. Notably, the new AutoMix feature, which was rumored, is absent in this update but may appear in a future release.
Expanded Multi-Room Audio Control
The update also enhances HomePod’s multi-room audio capabilities. Previously, initiating synchronized playback across multiple HomePods often required manual setup or was limited to Apple Music playback via voice commands. Now,these voice controls extend to any AirPlay stream.
This means if you’re streaming from a service like Spotify to your HomePod in the living room, you can simply ask Siri to “play this upstairs” or “add the kitchen,” and the audio session will seamlessly expand to include other speakers. This functionality, building on AirPlay 2 released in 2018, now offers much greater flexibility for users with multiple smart speakers.
here are some examples of voice commands for multi-room audio control:
- “Play music in the living room.”
- “Play music in the living room and the kitchen.”
- “Play music everywhere.”
- “[When music is playing] Add the kitchen.”
- “[when music is playing in another room] Play music from the kitchen here.”
- “Move music to the [other room].”
The HomePod software version 26 update is slated for a public release next week, September 15, alongside other system-wide updates.
