audioOS

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.

audioOS
DeveloperApple Inc.
Written inC, C++, Swift, Objective-C, assembly language
OS family
Working stateCurrent
Source modelClosed, with open-source components
General
availability		February 9, 2018 (2018-02-09)
Update methodFirmware-over-the-air
Platforms
Kernel typeHybrid (XNU)
LicenseCommercial proprietary software
Support status
Supported

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 17.0 September 18, 2023
Legend:   Obsolete   Current   Beta

See also

References
  1. "About Software Updates for HomePod". Apple Support. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  2. "Disgruntled HomePod owners say firmware update alters sound quality". AppleInsider. March 30, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  3. Silverman, Dwight (March 30, 2018). "Did the HomePod's software update tone down its bass? [Updated]". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  4. "Apple withdraws HomePod update after units are bricked". Macworld. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  5. Cross, Jason (October 20, 2020). "Apple releases HomePod software update 14.1 with Intercom and other enhancements". Macworld. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  6. "Apple Once Again Refers to Unreleased 'homeOS' in Job Listing [Removed]". MacRumors. November 3, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  7. Axon, Samuel (June 2, 2021). "Apple's "homeOS" slip fits with prior rumors about new smart home products". Ars Technica. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  8. "Apple to Expand Smart-Home Lineup, Taking On Amazon and Google". Bloomberg.com. January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  9. Espósito, Filipe (April 13, 2020). "HomePod now runs on tvOS, here's what that could mean". 9to5Mac. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  10. Keller, Joseph (March 14, 2022). "How to install software updates for your HomePod or HomePod mini". iMore.
  11. Rambo, Guilherme (March 29, 2018). "Apple releasing first HomePod software update alongside iOS 11.3 today (U: Now available)". 9to5Mac. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  12. "OTA for the HomePod". IPSW.me. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
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