Apple Releases tvOS 18.2 and HomePod 18.2 Software Updates
New updates for Apple TV 4K and HomePod bring new features, including enhanced dialogue and natural language support for Siri.
Apple has rolled out two new software updates for its home devices: tvOS 18.2 for Apple TV 4K and HomePod 18.2 for its smart speakers. The updates bring significant new features and improvements aimed at enhancing the user experience.
tvOS 18.2 Features: New Screensaver and Projector Support
The tvOS 18.2 update introduces several notable changes for Apple TV 4K, most significantly a brand-new Snoopy screensaver. Additionally, tvOS 18.2 brings expanded support for various screen aspect ratios, particularly useful for projector users. The update now includes a 21:9 aspect ratio option, which can be configured through the Audio and Video settings in the Settings app.
Although these features were initially announced by Apple during WWDC in June, they were delayed until this release. This update is particularly beneficial for projector users who will now enjoy more flexibility in display formatting. Alongside this, tvOS 18.2 also likely brings natural language support to Siri, allowing users to search for movies and TV shows using natural phrases. This update mirrors a similar feature seen in iOS 18.2, which enables users to search by combining various categories like genre, mood, actors, and more.
HomePod 18.2 Features: Siri Improvements and Enhance Dialogue for TV Viewing
The HomePod 18.2 update introduces two significant upgrades. First, Siri on HomePod now integrates with Apple Music’s natural language search. This allows users to request songs by describing what they want to hear using a variety of criteria such as genre, mood, decade, or activity. This feature should make controlling Apple Music with Siri even more intuitive and efficient, aligning with the natural language improvements seen on iPhones in iOS 18.2.
Second, the update includes a feature exclusive to the second-generation HomePod: Enhance Dialogue. This feature, when paired with an Apple TV 4K, uses real-time audio processing and machine learning to make speech clearer over background sounds. This enhancement is a significant improvement for those who use their HomePod as a TV speaker, making it easier to hear dialogue, even in noisy environments.
These updates follow several others for HomePod throughout 2024, but this release marks the first with substantial new features. HomePod users can expect a more refined and responsive Siri experience, alongside improved clarity in spoken content during TV viewing.