Apple is launching new products next week, with Apple TV 4K and HomePod models rumored to be among them. And leaks in the latest Apple software reveal several new Apple TV and HomePod features expected to be unveiled.
New Apple TV and HomePod features leaked in code are expected to be announced next week
Next week, Apple will unveil a fresh push into Home products, with new Apple TV 4K, ‘HomePad,’ and HomePod mini models set to launch.
We’ve already gotten plenty of leaks around new features to expect, but yesterday’s beta 3 releases of tvOS 27.2, HomePod 27.2, and iOS 27.2 reveal even more.
Aaron Perris found references in tvOS 27.2 beta 3 to Apple Intelligence coming to Apple TV. Headlined by Siri AI, these AI features are expected to be exclusive to new hardware.
He also found code in iOS 27.2 that suggests nearby home accessories could show controls in your iPhone’s Dynamic Island.
On the HomePod side, pdfu posted several discoveries related to the surround sound feature he previously detailed. A couple include:
Highlights from audioOS 27.2 beta 3:
- Siri can match a speaker to its surround system. Code includes the diagnostic “Accessory [X] is a speaker in surround system [Y].” Relies on HomeKit exposing the surroundSystem interface.
- When HomePod is part of a Home Theater group for an eligible Apple TV, it can now use a new proxy-activation path to pass Siri requests to Apple TV. A separate, older path still forwards microphone audio to Apple TV.
The leaker also found evidence of Apple TV profiles expanding its available image options by adding characters from Apple TV shows and movies. So in addition to choosing from emoji for your profile, you’ll likely be able to make Ted Lasso, Mark S. from Severance, or Carol from Pluribus your profile image.
In case you missed it, Apple TV profiles are expanding to iPhone and iPad for the first time in iOS and iPadOS 27.2. Until now they’ve been exclusive to tvOS.
Are you interested in Apple’s new Home products? Let us know in the comments.
Best Apple TV 4K and Home accessories
- AirPods Pro 3 (now only $179, down from $249)
- Anti-slip silicone case for Siri Remote, AirTag compatible
- TotalMount for mounting Apple TV
- HomeKit Garage Door Opener
- eufy 4K camera with HomeKit Secure Video
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