Apple releases tvfOS 16.3 and HomePod Software 16.3
HomePod Software 16.3 and tvOS 16.3 were released by Apple yesterday after a little hiatus (see "Apple Releases iOS 16.3, iPad 16.3, and macOS 13.2 Ventura with Hardware Security Key Support," 23 January 2023). Now that the last two upgrades are out, HomePod Software 16.3, which is usually an afterthought like tvOS 16.3 is, is actually rather interesting.
I don't see any reason to stop HomePods and Apple TVs from updating independently since they often do so. Give the HomePod Software 16.3 a push if you want to make sure you get a new feature you're thrilled about right immediately.
Software for HomePod 16.3
HomePod Software 16.3 not only has improvements that owners of the first-generation HomePod or HomePod mini will enjoy, but it also includes support for the recently released second-generation HomePod (see "Second-Generation HomePod Supports Spatial Audio, Temperature/Humidity Monitoring, and Sound Recognition," 18 January 2023).
In the first-generation HomePod, for instance, Apple changed the volume controls to allow for finer adjustments at lower volumes. New audio tuning enhances spoken content like podcasts for enhanced clarity on both full-size HomePods.
The remaining adjustments are concentrated on Siri and interactions with smart homes:
The HomePod mini and second-generation HomePod now have temperature and humidity sensors that can be used to start home automation.
You can now include remastered ambient noises in scenes, automation, and alarms in the Home app, making them more realistic.
You can now ask Siri for the location of friends and family members who share their sites with you thanks to Find Me on HomePod.
Simply utilizing your voice, you can set up recurring Home automation. Although I haven't had a chance to test it, I advise verifying the outcomes via the Home app.
As soon as an intelligent home request is fulfilled for an accessory that might not immediately reflect a change or is in another room, HomePods will now play a Siri confirmation tone. Currently, Siri responds to such actions by speech.
Updates for the HomePod can be started in several ways. I discovered that getting all three of our HomePods to start downloading the update required touching the ••• icon in the iOS Home app's upper right corner and then tapping Home Settings > Software Update. Although I assume it would have done so automatically, I gave it a boost by hitting a Pod tile in the Home app, choosing Accessory Details, scrolling down (or tapping the gear symbol) to show the appropriate buttons, and then tapping Update.
tvOS 16.3
There isn't much to see here, guys. Apple states that tvOS 16.3 "offers general performance and stability enhancements." Additionally, it contains updates for 10 security flaws. Allow it to install by itself.