Apple on Tuesday released its new 14.4 software update for the HomePod and HomePod mini. The update comes a bit more than a month after the 14.3 software release.
The update adds new U1 Ultra Wideband functionality for the HomePod mini and devices that include the U1 chip, which currently includes the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12.
Software version 14.4 includes bug fixes and the following new features with an Ultra Wideband (U1) equipped iPhone.
– Hand off music with visual, audible, and haptic effects from iPhone to HomePod mini
– Get personalized listening suggestions on iPhone when it is next to HomePod mini
– Media controls automatically appear without having to unlock iPhone when it is close to HomePod mini
After installing the update, users will notice visual, audio, and haptic effects when songs are transferred from a HomePod mini and an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12. When an iPhone gets near a HomePod mini, it will begin a soft haptic touch rhythm that increases in speed as the iPhone gets closer to the HomePod mini, finally resulting in an interface opening on the iPhone to transfer a song between the mini and the iPhone.
The functionality is available only on the HomePod mini and is not available on the full-sized HomePod, as it does not have a U1 chip.
The new functionality will make the handoff between devices faster and more reliable.
In addition to the new handoff features, the update also adds media controls that automatically appear on your iPhone without the need to unlock it when the iPhone is close to the HomePod mini. It also adds personalized listening suggestions on iPhone when it is next to HomePod mini.