The HomePod has not yet been launched worldwide, but some of the functions that Apple announced in its presentation have finally arrived but have been waiting several months since its launch. The new iOS 11.4 version that can now be downloaded is the second update that the HomePod receives and the most important to date.
The possibility of connecting two speakers to achieve a more realistic stereo sound, compatibility with Calendar or the arrival of AirPlay 2 are the most important improvements that this speaker has received with this new version that we detail below.
The update to 11.4 will be installed automatically on your HomePod if you have it configured in the Home settings, the application from which the functions of this Apple smart speaker are managed. If you want to force the update to be done now, you must access your home Settings within the Home app and install it manually. you have a tutorial on how to do it in this link. The installation takes only a couple of minutes and your speaker will already be in the latest version available.
This new version brings AirPlay 2, a function that will allow the HomePod to play the same song in different rooms or different songs in different rooms, all controlled from your iPhone. All AirPlay 2 compatible speakers will be able to enjoy this function, even if they are from other brands. In addition, Siri will be able to control music playback on any AirPlay 2-compatible speaker. You can also use two HomePods to create a spectacular stereo system thanks to the sound quality of the Apple speaker. You only need to place them in the same room to create a pair of stereo speakers.
In addition to these improvements in sound reproduction HomePod finally gets smarter with Calendar access. At the moment these functions are only available in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, the only countries where the HomePod is for sale, but they can be used from wherever you have your HomePod as long as you have those languages configured.