We’ve known since last summer that HomePod will play Apple Music and Apple Podcasts directly, and audio from other sources can be played over Apple’s AirPlay. With just over a week before HomePod hits stores, Apple has officially detailed what audio can be played on the smart speaker.
From HomePod’s tech specs page (via 512 Pixels) detailing compatible audio sources:
- Apple Music
- iTunes Music Purchases
- iCloud Music Library with an Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription
- Beats 1 Live Radio
- Podcasts
- AirPlay other content to HomePod from iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Mac
HomePod has been heavily marketed as an Apple Music player since last June, but we’ve slowly been learning which audio sources that are also from the Apple ecosystem can be played directly.
We reported last week that iTunes purchases and Beats 1 will be playable without an Apple Music subscription, and we’ve known that Apple Podcasts playback will work, which isn’t true of other smart speakers.
Apple later started sharing with press that iTunes Match — Apple’s cloud music locker that pre-dates Apple Music — would also be supported, although today marks the first time this information has been shared officially on Apple’s website.
For potential HomePod customers who do not subscribe to Apple Music from $9.99/month, iTunes Match offers a way to carry a full music library of iTunes purchased music as well as audio imported from other sources with iCloud Music Library for $24.99/year.
HomePod pre-orders launched last Friday with speakers hitting stores and shipping to customers February 9.
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