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Apple Releases New HomePod 15 Beta Update Following Reports of Sudden Failures

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Apple today released a new version of the HomePod 15 beta software that's designed to go along with the iOS 15, iPadOS 15, tvOS 15, and macOS Monterey betas.

HomePod Happy Fix Feature
The new software comes as multiple ‌HomePod‌ owners running the original ‌HomePod‌ 15 beta have complained of sudden failures and heat issues that have rendered their HomePods non-functional.

‌HomePod‌ beta software is distributed on an invite-only basis to select users, so there is no update that can be downloaded by developers or the general public.

There are ways to get the ‌HomePod‌ software if you're not a part of Apple's testing group, but because it's designed for a small number of users on an invite-only basis, we do not recommend using any alternate method to obtain the update.

It is beta software and can be unreliable, as the multiple reports of hardware failures demonstrate. These issues have also affected those with the 14.6 release software, but there does not appear to be a new public version of the ‌HomePod‌ software at this time.

The release notes for the ‌HomePod‌ 15 update do not offer any information and do not indicate whether the failure issue has been addressed.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Caution)

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Top Rated Comments

nrose101 Avatar
nrose101
68 months ago

That’s a large HomePod
Nah. It's the real HomePod. The small ones are a joke for audiophiles.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
larrylaffer Avatar
larrylaffer
68 months ago

What about people who had to pay out of warranty for another one because of it?
If 14.6 caused this, I would be demanding a refund.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nvmls Avatar
nvmls
68 months ago

What about people who had to pay out of warranty for another one because of it?
Working as intended. Regards.

-Tim
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
mcfly88
68 months ago

For people that grew up on CDs and real stereos in their home the old Homepod can compare to a Booom Box from the 80s. These new ones sound like a cheap $20 speaker underwater and maybe compare to a pair of crapy pc speakers.
This has to be one of the most pretentious things I've ever read...

Whose expecting audiophile quality from a 3" speaker?? It's one speaker.. not a surround sound setup. Also, this is just a ridiculous comparison all around. You must have some golden ears.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
LestâtMayfair
68 months ago

My HomePod appears to have bricked with flashing volume lights about 2 months or so ago. It was on 14.5. I was using as a stereo pair hooked up to my apple tv 4k. I called apple support and they basically said I was out of luck. They said I could return it and they would fix out of warranty for $330. Thats more than a new one if you can find one. I was very aggravated to say the least. I had it for only about 2 years. I just gave more feedback to apple but to I doubt I will hear anything. Any suggestions?
Apple replaced my out-of-warranty OG HomePod, from initial release, just this past Tuesday. You have to ask for a Senior advisor and make it clear that their software bricked your device. That warrants an out-of-warranty replacement and it is their fiduciary duty to do so. Alternatively, the Senior Advisor that processed my return advised that if you take it into an Apple Store they can potentially for as upgrade to get it working and if they can not, they will replace it, because a software bricking is their corporate responsibility.

Attachment Image
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nrose101 Avatar
nrose101
68 months ago

They're not even in the same league IMO. Even stereo minis vs a single OG can't compete. Of course an OG still costs more than a two minis but there's a large gap in the HomePod line right now.

It feels like theirs a deaf person leading their HomePod division right now. (no offense to deaf people)
Exactly. The home speaker market is a mess for people who want decent quality.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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