Apple’s HomePod smart speaker is getting its first-ever software update today. Apple will release the first software update for the HomePod alongside iOS 11.3 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The device can either be updated automatically or manually via the Home app after the iOS device that the user has is updated to iOS 11.3 first. For those who are unaware, the HomePod’s operating system is an iteration of Apple’s iOS platform and it’s called “audioOS” internally at Apple.
Apple responded to the popular Amazon Echo and Google Home speakers with the HomePod. It’s a $349 speaker that it says has been in developed for the past six years.
Instead of focusing on the smart features like the Echo and Google Home devices do, Apple has focused more on the sound quality with the HomePod. It has positioned it as a premium speaker that can be considered more of a rival to Sonos speakers than an Amazon Echo.
The changelog of the first HomePod update isn’t available as yet but reports suggest that it’s going to bring support for AirPlay 2 and the ability to pair two HomePod speakers together for stereo sound. That’s a feature that many customers have been looking forward to as it would enable them to achieve a multi-room audio experience with the HomePod.
Apple is expected to start rolling out the HomePod’s first software update as well as iOS 11.3 later today.
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