Leaks reveal new Apple TV 4K and HomePod features coming next week

Apple is set to unveil new products next week, including the Apple TV 4K and HomePod models. Leaks in the latest software have revealed several anticipated features for Apple TV and HomePod. Next week, Apple will launch a new push into the Home products market, with new Apple TV 4K, 'HomePad,' and HomePod mini models slated for release. Earlier, leaked beta versions of tvOS 27.2, HomePod 27.2, and iOS 27.2 have uncovered additional details about the upcoming features.

Aaron Perris found references in the tvOS 27.2 beta 3 to Apple Intelligence coming to Apple TV. The AI features are expected to be exclusive to the new hardware. In iOS 27.2, code indicates that nearby home accessories could display controls in your iPhone's Dynamic Island. On the HomePod side, discoveries related to its surround sound feature have been made.

The audioOS 27.2 beta 3 includes code that allows Siri to match a speaker to its surround system. The diagnostic "Accessory [X] is a speaker in surround system [Y]" is part of the code. HomePod, when part of a Home Theater group for an eligible Apple TV, can use a new proxy-activation path to forward Siri requests to Apple TV. This path relies on HomeKit exposing the surroundSystem interface.

Furthermore, HomePod profiles are expanding to display characters from Apple TV shows and movies, including Ted Lasso, Mark S. from Severance, and Carol from Pluribus. Apple TV profiles will now be available on iPhones and iPads for the first time in iOS and iPadOS 27.2. Until now, these profiles were exclusive to tvOS.