Apples upcoming update implies the HomePod will catch up to the Amazon Studio, which has had the ability to supply Dolby Atmos audio for Fire television streaming gadgets given that its release in 2015. If Amazons execution of the function is anything to pass, however, then HomePod and Apple TV 4K owners might be in for a reward. When my coworker Dan Seifert tried out the feature last year he found that Amazons speaker offered sound quality that was comparable to a bigger and more costly Dolby Atmos soundbar.
Apples HomePod is getting a lot more beneficial as a home cinema speaker for Apple television 4K owners. Apple has confirmed to The Verge that an upcoming software application update will let the speaker output Dolby Atmos audio in addition to 5.1 and 7.1 channel audio from Apples streaming box. The feature will work best when you have two HomePod speakers matched up, however also deals with just one. The brand-new $99 HomePod mini, however, will not support the brand-new home cinema performance.
Update October 15th, 6:49 AM ET: Updated to clarify that setting the HomePod as a default Apple television 4K speaker currently requires a non-public beta.
Dolby Atmos assistance gets here as Apple is upgrading how the HomePod deals with its streaming box. For starters, tvOS 14.2 beta 3 permits Apple television 4K owners to set the HomePod as their streaming boxs default speaker output, according to 9to5Mac, indicating it shouldnt continuously force users to re-select it as their audio output as it formerly did when connected over AirPlay 2. In the meantime this performance appears to require access to a non-public beta variation of the HomePods operating system, nevertheless.
Apples website verifies the home movie theater functions are unique to the HomePod.Screenshot: Apple.com
The HomePod is likewise getting new surround sound performance, using its spatial awareness functions to provide virtual surround sound audio. As noted on Apples site, the “home movie theater with Apple TV 4K” feature is only supported by the more costly HomePod considering that the $99 HomePod mini lacks its spatial awareness or beam-forming technologies. The HomePod mini can still be used with the Apple TV 4K utilizing AirPlay 2.
