Apple appears to be working on new home theater features for its HomePod smart speaker, including a four-speaker surround sound system and a new “Party Mode,” according to code found in audioOS 27 beta 8.
The code, shared on the MacRumors forums by member pdfu, contains references in the software for the second-generation HomePod that provides the ability to tune for a setup with front-left, front-right, rear-left, and rear-right HomePods. Automatic room calibration, speaker-position mapping, timing adjustments, bass management, EQ, dialogue enhancement, and different processing modes for movies and music are all for the second-generation HomePod suggest the ability to tune for a setup with front-left, front-right, rear-left, and rear-right HomePods are all included in four-speaker surround configuration code.
The code suggests the ability to either spatialize sound across all four speakers for stereo content or limit traditional stereo playback to the two front speakers.
A new tuning system is also referenced and is called “Forklift.” It combines two second-generation HomePods with two speakers from an unidentified AID12007 hardware family. The identifier doesn’t correspond to any existing HomePod models, indicating that a future HomePod mini, third-generation HomePod, or some other unreleased audio device is on the way.
Apple also appears to be working on a new “Party Mode” feature for stereo-paired HomePods. The feature is designed to spread sound more evenly across the room for a more immersive listening experience.
Several rumors have claimed that a new HomePod mini, new Apple TV, and an all-new Apple smart home hub are all coming soon, but at this moment we’re in the “wait and see” stage of any such rollout.