homepod: Apple HomePod smart speakers get lossless and spatial audio support – Times of India

Apple has rolled out HomePod 15.1 update for its smart speaker range. The software update brings lossless audio support to the devices for Apple Music. It also brings spatial audio support. This means that users of both Apple HomePod and Apple HomePod mini will now be able to stream lossless ALAC encoded music when playing via Apple Music.
Readers must note that the lossless audio is available for both HomePod and HomePod mini users while the spatial audio support is rolling out to HomePod only. In case you are unaware, Apple discontinued its HomePod speaker in March this year and continues to focus on the HomePod mini.
At its Unleashed event earlier this month, Apple introduced three new colour variants of HomePod mini- Blue, Orange, and Yellow. With these new variants, the HomePod Mini now has five colours models including Black and White. The smart speaker costs Rs 9,900.
To begin using spatial audio and lossless audio on Apple smart speakers, users will have to manually enable the features from the settings on the Home app. Also, they must ensure that Apple Music is running the individual or family plan, not the new voice plan.
The new update will be automatically installed on the HomePod speaker. But in case you want to install it manually, you can head to the Home app and search for the available software update to download.