In a X post, the leaker known as “pdfu” says he/she has uncovered additional code that a four-HomePod surround sound system is almost here in “audioSo 27.2”. Or perhaps it’s a four-HomePod mini system. Here are the highlights from his post:
• Siri can match a speaker to its surround system. Code includes the diagnostic “Accessory [X] is a speaker in surround system [Y].” Relies on HomeKit exposing the surroundSystem interface.
• When HomePod is part of a Home Theater group for an eligible Apple TV, it can now use a new proxy-activation path to pass Siri requests to Apple TV. A separate, older path still forwards microphone audio to Apple TV. (AFSiriActivationOdeonProxyVoiceTrigger)
- There’s a new light animation for rejecting touch events on HomePod. As an example, here’s a demo of HomePod rejecting touch events while Siri AI is in thinking mode. It’s not clear yet when the new touch rejection may activate. (ShakeCircleAnimation)
Also, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris has discovered that the third beta of macOS 27.2 contains two new SF Symbols depicting a group of four speakers in a room.
“While the HomePod is not mentioned in the names of the symbols, one of them appears to show a basic top-down view of HomePods, and the other mentions that the four speakers are part of a home theater setup,” notes MacRumors. “The timing of these symbols being added by Apple suggests they could be related to the rumored four-HomePod surround sound functionality.”
By the way,
Apple’s audioOS is the custom operating system that runs on Apple’s HomePod and HomePod mini smart speakers. Apple publicly markets the software as HomePod Software, but it is known internally as audioOS.
Apple is expected to unveil new HomePod minis and a new Apple TV set-top box next week.
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