Forget HomePod 2, all AirPlay speakers could soon get full Apple TV 4K support

Date:
Wed, 21 Sep 2022 17:41:00 +0000

Description:
Right now, only HomePods can be set as default speakers for Apple TV 4K, but according to beta code found in iOS 16.1, it's a trick any AirPlay 2 speaker might soon be able to pull off.

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It looks as if Apple has been devising a way to allow any AirPlay 2 speaker
to act as your default Apple TV 4K sound solution at least, that's suggested by code found in the first beta of iOS 16.1, which was released to developers last week.

Right now, both of Apple's HomePods (the original and the newer HomePod Mini
) can be set as default speakers for Apple TV 4K, meaning that everything you play from your Apple TV automatically comes through them (though only the discontinued original HomePod can deliver Dolby Atmos audio).

Wouldn't it be awesome if your KEF LSX II , Sonos One or, in fact, any of the best AirPlay speakers could function in much the same way ie. wireless Apple TV sound that doesn't disconnected when your Apple TV 4K (2021) goes into standby? Well, according to iOS 16.1 beta code discovered by 9to5Mac , your wish may soon be granted.



Currently, using an original HomePod as your default Apple TV 4K speaker
works very well indeed it can even suck up and deliver Dolby Atmos sound
from your PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series X or other HDMI-connected device,
thanks to that model's HDMI eARC support. Analysis: Apple wouldn't do this if it didn't have big plans

How is this all set to happen? Well, according to 9to5Mac's report, it's all about the Home app: in the iOS 16.1 beta, you can pair AirPlay 2 speakers in
a permanent speaker group. Said speaker group could then be set as the
default audio output for an Apple TV 4K.

Apple actually launched this currently HomePod-specific feature in early
2021, weeks before discontinuing the HomePod (aka the only device capable of delivering it in Dolby Atmos), so it makes sense for Apple to be broadening its horizons now and the news also adds weight to the much rumored HomePod 2 's imminent launch, to take up the mantle.



Although Apple hasn't confirmed any of this, the Cupertino giant has
specified that it will launch its new Home architecture with Matter support later this year. So, it makes sense that these enhanced AirPlay 2 speaker capabilities could form part of the rollout.



Oh, and aside from a new HomePod, Apple is also rumored to be working on a
new Apple TV 4K (2022) , an upgraded Apple TV streaming set-top box with a more powerful A14 chip and more memory.

For the Apple- and Siri- ensconced, the wider rollout of iOS 16.1 can't come soon enough.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/forget-homepod-2-all-airplay-speakers-could-soo n-get-full-apple-tv-4k-support/


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