With the launch of iOS 27 and HomePod 27 software, Apple is adding support for AutoMix, Apple’s AI-powered Apple Music feature that mixes songs using the corresponding key and tempo.
Apple says it has improved AutoMix’s underlying algorithms to generate new types of transitions, allowing for smoother mixes between tracks, which should also benefit the newly introduced feature for HomePod.
Running Apple’s current HomePod 26 software, Apple Music’s AutoMix feature is not available on HomePod. Users running the existing software only have access to the crossfade feature which improves transitions between songs.
If AirPlay to HomePod users and the device they’re using to AirPlay support AutoMix (and it’s enabled), then it will play over the AirPlay to HomePod stream, but that’s the only workaround.
HomePod OG support
In case anyone is wondering, the new HomePod 27 software beta supports the original HomePod. There was some confusion about this earlier in the week, but Woozad contributor Aaron Perris was able to independently confirm support for Apple’s first smart speaker, which launched in 2018 and was discontinued in 2021.
HomePod Software 27 will come out of beta when iOS 27 becomes generally available in the fall.
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