Apple on Wednesday released iOS 16 beta 2 to developers, two weeks after the first beta version of iOS 16, announced at WWDC 2022. The update brings several changes to the system and, interestingly, adds a new menu for managing beta software on HomePod in the application Home.
HomePod beta software
The menu is hidden by default and only appears when the user has a HomePod beta profile installed. This way, users can easily choose which of their HomePods will receive beta software updates. Before that, you had to set up the beta profile for each speaker in your home.
To choose which HomePods will receive beta software, you simply need to activate the individual switch for each speaker. You should then receive a beta update. Disabling the switch will stop this HomePod from receiving beta updates.
The new menu arrives ahead of new beta versions coming to Apple’s Beta Software program next month, which will include HomePod Software Beta for the first time. Currently, the only way to install HomePod beta software is to be invited through the AppleSeed program. Even developers can’t install HomePod Software 16 beta right now.
Interestingly, only HomePod mini devices appear in the new beta menu. Maybe it’s because the original HomePod can’t be restored on a Mac if there are any issues with the update. This implies that the public beta version of the HomePod software will not be available for the original HomePod.
New rumors about HomePod
According to recent rumors, Apple is working on a new HomePod model, which is expected to be released sometime between late 2022 and early 2023. 9to5Mac has found references to an unreleased HomePod model hidden in the iOS 16 code, which confirms these rumors.
Details about the new HomePod are unclear at this time, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the new model will be a gradual upgrade of the current HomePod mini.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gourmet said earlier that Apple was experimenting with HomePod prototypes combined with Apple TV in one product. However, it seems that this product is far from ready for the market. There are also rumors about the return of a larger HomePod model.
It is worth noting that iOS 16 is currently available as beta software for developers through the Apple Developer website. The official edition is expected this fall.
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