According to a private account on X with a proven track record for upcoming software updates, MacRumors reports that Apple’s upcoming HomePod Software 26 (homeOS 26) update will support the original first-generation HomePod along with all later HomePod models.
Apple released the original HomePod eight years ago, so it’s good to see that Apple’s latest software will support it. As for what the new software will bring to the table in terms of new features, it’s not yet clear, but hopefully improvements to the Siri experience are forthcoming.
The HomePod family is expected to grow in size this year or next, with the arrival of Apple’s long-rumored smart home hub. We’re hoping that Apple provides an early preview of the home hub at WWDC, based on recent trademarking activity.
MacDailyNews Take: We’ve got more than a couple of those around, still going strong (built like tanks), so it’s nice that they’ll remain current.
‘Tis highly likely that the software will be renamed to “homeOS” with the version number changing to the upcoming year, in this case, “26.”
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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
if I bought a speaker 30 years ago, it’d still work.
I’m glad to see my smart speaker from Apple won’t be put in the Obsolete category in only eight years.
My original one quit working with the Home App about a year or two ago. It seems as though the original ones can function when accompanied by the successive generations. Very problematic. After switching carefully the mismatched versions of later gen Minis and HomePods so that all pairs are identical versions, I finally (after restarting and holding my darned finger on the top for countless attempts) got the rest of them paired and working. However, that one original one just flashes the symbols on the screen but never starts a proper reset…🙀… anyone have a suggestion as to what might get it to launch? Thanks…
unplug it overnight and try it again