It looks like you’ll use Apple’s Home app to update your HomePod once it arrives.
Developer Guilherme Rambo dug into Apple’s iOS code and found the HomePod software update mechanism. Along with alerting you to new software updates, the Home app will also let you enable automatic software updates, much like Apple TV.
While this is a little bit unexpected, it also fits into Apple’s history of sometimes building in Frankenstein-esque functionality into its apps, much like the way iTunes grew to become a central hub for media and devices.
Using the Home app to manage HomePod may be a hint that Apple plans to make the device more useful as a stationary Siri interface. Or, it may just be the app Apple decided was the best fit for managing the speaker updates.
HomePod functions as a smart speaker with Siri voice control support. It boasts seven tweeters, a woofer, and six far-field microphones packed into its canister body. Along with music streaming, the speaker supports some Siri commands for accessing things like tasks and messages, weather and news reports, and controlling HomeKit devices.
The HomePod is available for preorder and retails for $349. The unit will be available in stores on Friday, February 9th.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via The Mac Observer and 9to5Mac