Apple says HomePod and HomePod mini will receive a software update in the future to natively support Apple Music Lossless

9to5Mac 2021-05-24 José Adorno

Context & Ripple Effects

HomePod’s audio capabilities have previously been extended after launch: Apple planned a HomePod-only Dolby Atmos and multichannel update for Apple TV 4K, while separately committing the speaker to third-party music-service support. Adding Apple Music Lossless to both HomePod models broadens the shared music feature set, including for the mini.

First-order effects

Existing HomePod and HomePod mini owners are slated to gain native Apple Music Lossless support through software rather than a hardware replacement.
Apple Music gains a native lossless playback endpoint across both of Apple’s current smart-speaker variants.

Second-order effects

The inclusion of HomePod mini contrasts with the earlier Dolby Atmos update that excluded it, reducing one feature-level distinction between Apple’s two speakers.
Apple can use software support to make Apple Music’s service features more valuable to the installed HomePod base.

Third-order effects

If Apple continues extending speaker capabilities through updates, HomePod competition will depend increasingly on evolving media-service compatibility rather than launch-day hardware specifications.

The trend: Apple is treating HomePod as an updatable endpoint for expanding Apple Music and home-entertainment features over its installed life.

Discussion

@marcoarment Marco Arment on x
@parrots Maybe because HomePods are AC-powered Wi-Fi devices, while AirPods are battery-constrained Bluetooth devices. AAC: 256 kbit Lossless: 16/48: up to 1536 kbit 24/48: up to 2304 kbit 24/192: up to 9216 kbit Modern Bluetooth can do those speeds, but it'll take much more powe…
@viticci Federico Viticci on x
@MehNitesh2 Bingo. That's why I like this theory. At least this is one of the very few that makes sense.
@viticci Federico Viticci on x
To me, this suggests HomePod and HomePod mini can be updated to support lossless (but not hi-res?) because they have an iPhone-based SoC (A8 and S5). Now I'm curious to see if there's an AirPlay 3 angle to all this coming at WWDC 🤔 https://twitter.com/...
@mehnitesh2 Nitesh on x
@viticci This is what I wasn't understanding about Jon's rumor. If they were going to do it over wifi, they would have needed to be FCC registered for wifi channels, and nothing indicated hardware support. If they have the bandwidth to do it over Bluetooth, however...
@viticci Federico Viticci on x
For instance, I really like this theory of AirPlay over Bluetooth as Apple's response to LDAC and aptX HD: https://www.digitaltrends.com/ ...
@samifathi_ Sami Fathi on x
✅ HomePod and HomePod mini gaining Lossless support in future software update ✅ AirPods Max will support Lossless over cable ❌ AirPods and AirPods Pro due to Bluetooth won't support Lossless https://twitter.com/...
@stevemoser Steve Moser on x
Why would Apple bring lossless to the HomePods unless there is a replacement for the big HomePod on the way? https://twitter.com/...
@micahsingleton Micah Singleton on x
Apple released a support page for lossless on Apple Music that answers a number of questions https://support.apple.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@film_girl Christina Warren on x
At least the HomePod isn't totally worthless. https://9to5mac.com/...
@onejarednewman Jared Newman on x
The vibe I get from this support doc is “We think lossless is bullshit, but you do you.” https://twitter.com/...
@parrots Curtis Herbert on x
Interesting they are calling out a future update for HomePod and not AirPod. No lossless over wireless seems like a compromise they're willing to live with, at least not without new hardware. https://twitter.com/...
@rsgnl Joe Rossignol on x
Latest info on Apple Music lossless support... iPhone + iPad + Mac: Yes AirPods + AirPods Pro: No AirPods Max (Wireless): No AirPods Max (Wired): Yes (but not “completely” lossless) Apple TV 4K: Yes (but no Hi-Res yet) HomePod + HomePod mini: Yes (with a future software update)
@rsgnl Joe Rossignol on x
“About lossless audio in Apple Music”: https://support.apple.com/... Very helpful.
@davemark Dark Mode Dave on x
Apple clarifies Apple Lossless details: - Support for HomePod/HomePod mini coming in future software update. - Lightning headphone adapter has DAC to support Lossless But, AirPods Max via Lightning aren't completely Lossless (see pic). Hmm. 🤔🎧 https://support.apple.com/... https:…
@tanmays Tanmay on x
So basically lossless can work over AirPlay but it will come later via an update. Makes sense as AirPlay doesn't work over bluetooth and Apple has full control over it's stack. https://support.apple.com/...
@bzamayo Benjamin Mayo on x
Apple says difference between lossless and AAC is “virtually indistinguishable”, but if you care HomePod will play lossless with a future software update https://9to5mac.com/...
@journeydan Daniel Bader on x
Oh yeah that isn't confusing at all https://twitter.com/...
@r3dash Ershad Kaleebullah on x
It is technically not possible. Unlike, what leaks would have you believe that Apple will magically add lossless support for the AirPods range with AirPlay. This also means that Apple doesn't consider LDAC or aptX HD lossless BT codecs. Which is right. https://support.apple.com/.…

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