Apple HomePod users have spotted new reference code that implies that surround and spatial audio may be on the horizon for owners of the home speaker.
Currently, users are able to pair up to two HomePods for stereo audio, but eagle-eyed users have noticed references to “speaker_multichannel_movie_surround.austrip” in the most recent audioOS 27 beta 8, reports MacRumors. This bit of code can support the wireless pairing of up to four speakers, unlocking spatial audio capabilities for the second-generation HomePod.
“References in the software for the second-generation HomePod suggest the ability to tune for a setup with front-left, front-right, rear-left, and rear-right HomePods,” writes MacRumors. “The four-speaker surround configuration references automatic room calibration, speaker-position mapping, timing adjustments, bass management, EQ, dialogue enhancement, and different processing modes for movies and music.”
Surround sound capabilities for HomePods have been mentioned as far back as a 2017 patent filed by Apple, but the technology never came to fruition. This bit of code in the most recent audioOS update implies that this might finally be changing.
