audioOS
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Written in | C, C++, Swift, Objective-C, assembly language |
| OS family | |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Closed, with open-source components |
| General availability | February 9, 2018 |
| Update method | Firmware-over-the-air |
| Platforms | |
| Kernel type | Hybrid (XNU) |
| License | Commercial proprietary software |
| Support status | |
| Supported | |
audioOS (publicly called HomePod Software[1]) is an operating system developed by Apple Inc. for its smart speakers, the HomePod and HomePod Mini. It was launched alongside the release of the original HomePod, released on February 9, 2018.
History
After the release of the HomePod's first update, iOS 11.3, users complained online that the update had worsened their HomePod's bass and decreased its loudness, which was not alluded to in Apple's official release notes.[2] Dwight Silverman of the Houston Chronicle agreed with these observations, though Apple denied that the update contained any updates to the HomePod's equalization settings.[3]
The iOS 13.2 update had a bug which would brick HomePods if a system reset was attempted; Apple withdrew the update.[4]
audioOS 14.1 added the Intercom feature.[5]
In 2021, an Apple job listing referenced a non-existent "homeOS" operating system, echoing previous Bloomberg leaks about possible future Apple products for the living room that would merge the Apple TV and HomePod.[6][7][8]
Features
audioOS's main user-facing features are AirPlay 2 and Siri.
Development
Though it was initially a fork of iOS,[1] since version 13.4, it is a fork of tvOS.[9] Software updates are installed automatically over-the-air, but can also be installed manually through the Home app.[10]
While Apple publicly calls this OS "HomePod Software", the build manifest in .ipsw update files for the HomePod shows its name as "audioOS".[11][12]
Version history
| Name | Most recent version | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| iOS 11 | 11.4.1 | July 9, 2018 |
| iOS 12 | 12.4 | July 17, 2019 |
| iOS 13 | 13.4.6 | June 1, 2020 |
| audioOS 14 | 14.7 | July 19, 2021 |
| audioOS 15 | 15.6 | July 20, 2022 |
| audioOS 16 | 16.5 | May 18, 2023 |
| audioOS 17 | 17.2 | September 18, 2023 |
| Legend: Obsolete Current Beta | ||
See also
- HomePod
- HomePod Mini
- Fuchsia (operating system), Google's equivalent for their Google Home lineup of smart speakers
References
- ^ a b "About Software Updates for HomePod". Apple Support. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ "Disgruntled HomePod owners say firmware update alters sound quality". AppleInsider. March 30, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ Silverman, Dwight (March 30, 2018). "Did the HomePod's software update tone down its bass? [Updated]". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ "Apple withdraws HomePod update after units are bricked". Macworld. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ Cross, Jason (October 20, 2020). "Apple releases HomePod software update 14.1 with Intercom and other enhancements". Macworld. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ "Apple Once Again Refers to Unreleased 'homeOS' in Job Listing [Removed]". MacRumors. November 3, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ Axon, Samuel (June 2, 2021). "Apple's "homeOS" slip fits with prior rumors about new smart home products". Ars Technica. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ "Apple to Expand Smart-Home Lineup, Taking On Amazon and Google". Bloomberg.com. January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ Espósito, Filipe (April 13, 2020). "HomePod now runs on tvOS, here's what that could mean". 9to5Mac. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ Keller, Joseph (March 14, 2022). "How to install software updates for your HomePod or HomePod mini". iMore.
- ^ Rambo, Guilherme (March 29, 2018). "Apple releasing first HomePod software update alongside iOS 11.3 today (U: Now available)". 9to5Mac. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ "OTA for the HomePod". IPSW.me. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
