HomePod 将通过免费软件更新获得三项新功能

HomePod

HomePod is about to get free upgrade with these new features

Ryan Christoffel | Oct 16 2026 - 8:49 am PT

Apple unveiled three new Home products this week: HomeView, HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV 4K. While there’s no new full-size HomePod launching, Apple did announce three features coming to the existing HomePod 2 via a free software update.

#1: Sound Glow

If you have an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone, your HomePod will get the new Sound Glow feature that’s also coming to HomePod mini 2.

Per Apple’s webpage for HomePod (2nd generation): “with Sound Glow, the top of your HomePod lights up with colors that match your album artwork, pulsing in tune with the music.”

The HomePod mini 2 announcement adds more details, which hopefully will be the same on the larger HomePod:

With Sound Glow, the top of HomePod mini transforms into a visual canvas that glows and pulses in sync with the music, reacting in real time to bass and treble. The song’s album artwork from Now Playing generates a color-matched light experience that’s unique to every song, and users can pick a soundscape like rain to trigger bespoke animations for a soothing atmosphere.

#2: Default speaker for Mac

Apple has long let you use a HomePod as a speaker for your Mac via AirPlay. But soon, you’ll be able to set HomePod as the default Mac speaker for a more seamless, reliable connection.

Like Sound Glow, Apple announced this feature for HomePod mini 2, but its fine print says:

Compatible with HomePod mini 2 and HomePod (2nd generation) with support on all Mac desktops and laptops with Wi-Fi 6E or later.

So if you want to upgrade your Mac speaker setup with the HomePod, or a stereo pair of HomePods, that will soon be easier than ever.

#3: Surround sound with four HomePods and Apple TV 4K

If you want the best, all-Apple home theater experience, a new surround sound feature for HomePod and Apple TV 4K will deliver that.

Exclusive to the new Apple TV 4K (4th gen), users can set up four HomePods—two as front speakers, two as rear—for a more immersive audio experience.

From Apple’s press release:

Home theater surround sound requires four HomePod mini 2 or HomePod (2nd generation) speakers in matching pairs (front and rear), paired with Apple TV 4K (4th generation) running the latest operating system software.

Apple hasn’t yet confirmed when these new features are launching on HomePod, but they’re expected to debut with iOS 27.2 and HomePod 27.2 later this month.

Are you planning to use any of the HomePod’s new features? Let us know in the comments.

Best Apple Home accessories

eufy 4K camera with HomeKit Secure Video

HomeKit Garage Door Opener

HomeKit smart plug 4-pack

Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

HomePod is Apple’s effort to “reinvent home …

Ryan got his start in journalism as an Editor at MacStories, where he worked for four years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, which focused entirely on the iPad. As a result, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.

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