Apple is upgrading old HomePods: These models are getting new features
With the update to the HomePod software and iOS 27.2, Apple is bringing two new features of the latest generation to older HomePod models. Users can look forward to dynamic lighting effects and a lock for touch operation.
New features for older models
The speaker update 27.2, which is currently available to developers and public beta testers as a pre-release version and is scheduled to be released officially next week, brings “sound lights” and a lock for touch controls to older HomePods. The company recently announced both innovations when presenting the HomePod mini 2 at the Welcome Home event in mid-October. The Sound Lights feature expands the visual feedback on the top of the speakers.
As soon as the option is activated in the device settings or via the Apple TV’s control center, the display pulsates in sync with the running audio content. The animations react to bass and treble and adopt the color scheme of the respective album cover. The lighting works when playing music and podcasts, as well as background noise such as rain. Apple HomePod Mini 2 with Siri AI and new colors in the video
Protection against accidental operation
As iFun reports, Apple is also introducing lock controls. This allows the touch-sensitive surface of the speakers to be completely deactivated, which is intended to prevent unwanted input from children playing, pets or just walking by. If the lock is switched on in the Home app, the top of the devices does not respond to normal taps, long presses or volume control. Sound lights and lock controls can of course be configured independently of each other in the settings. When the touch lock is active, music playback is controlled exclusively via Siri, the Home app or via AirPlay from other Apple devices.
In order to see the corresponding switches in the Home app, the update to iOS 27.2 on the iPhone is also required. However, owners of the very first HomePod generation will not receive the innovations: Among the older models, the functions are reportedly only available for the HomePod 2 and the first HomePod mini. The software update will also make it possible to set up compatible HomePods as the default speakers for the Mac.
In combination with the new, 349 euro Apple TV 4K from 2026, which is not scheduled to arrive to users before November 13th, a surround sound setup is also possible. The prerequisite for surround sound is the use of four current HomePod mini 2 or four HomePod 2. A combination of two small and two large current speakers also works for the audio setup. The first generation of HomePod and HomePod mini, however, do not support this surround sound.
Amit Gohar is Technical writer at ResearchSnipers.com, he is well versed Technology News writer, he has completed is MS computer Science in 2020. He can be reached at amit.g@researchsnipers.com
