Apple Releases tvOS 13.2 and a Software Update for HomePod that brings Multi-User Support

By AppleVis, 28 October, 2019

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Alongside of the releases of iOS 13.2 and iPadOS 13.2, Apple has also today released tvOS 13.2 and a software update for HomePod that adds multi-user support.

Apple traditionally does not provide release notes for tvOS updates, so it is unknown if tvOS 13.2 brings any notable changes. However, AppleInsider reports that it adds support for Siri recording opt-in and the new AirPods Pro:

After installing the update on the Apple TV, a new intro screen appears that explains how Apple will use the Siri recordings and allows users to decide whether or not they'd like to aid Apple in improving Siri's abilities by sharing occasional bits of their Siri conversations.

To install tvOS 13.2 on Apple TV 4K or Apple TV (4th generation), go to Settings > System > Software Updates and Select Update Software. If there's an update, select Download and Install. Wait for your Apple TV to download the update. Don't disconnect or unplug your Apple TV until the update completes.

The New Software for HomePod will enable HomePod to distinguish between different voices for the first time. It also brings support for Handoff and a new Ambient Sounds feature.

The full release notes via MacRumors lists the following changes for the new HomePod software

  • The ability for HomePod‌ to recognize the voices of different family members to provide a personalized experience
  • Handoff music, podcasts, or phone calls by bringing your iPhone close to ‌HomePod‌
  • Add music to your ‌HomeKit‌ scenes
  • Play relaxing high-quality soundtracks with Ambient Sounds
  • Set sleep timers to fall asleep to music or Ambient Sounds

The new ‌HomePod‌ software will be installed automatically on the ‌HomePod‌ after you update to iOS 13.2, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following the instructions on this Apple support page.

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Comments

By Holger Fiallo on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - 16:43

Where is the update for OS6.1;

By Jim D on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - 16:43

Just wondering if any of you have upgraded to TV OS 13.2 and, if so, your thoughts on the accessibility and usability of this version? I use Apple TV a lot and heard their were significant accessibility concerns with TV OS 13, so I turned off auto updates before 13 could be installed. Sooner or later, I'm going to have to update, but would be interested to talk with someone who has made the plunge before I do.
Any info much appreciated.
Thanks.
Jim

Hi Jim
I’ve updated to TV OS 13 and i haven’t noticed any issues with accessibility. I have an apple TV 4k and it works great. some things have been changed. Like the sleep menu. Before when you’d hold the home/tv button, it would make the typical VO alert sound and it would display a message and there was two options, cancel and sleep. wwwwell, now there’s four options, sleep, Now Playing, Playback destination, and search. If you have your roder set to followed focus, then VO automatically places you on the sleep button when holding the home/tv button. So if you’re listening to music, you just hold the home/tv button and if the VO roder is set to land marks, you can check the time and date as well as the song currently playing. The sleep option is also there. But I found that it’s easier to navigate that screen with your roder set to land marks. If you click on the song in that screen, it’ll take you to the playlist, if you’re listening to one. And if you are, set the roder to followed focus and swipe right on the track surface to skip a song and left to go back.
another thing i’ve noticed is after closing out apps, the roder doesn’t return to the default option. For example, you know how you have to switch the roder to actions to close and app? Well, VO doesn’t return to land marks when placed back on the home screen. It stays on the roder you had it on. For me, I use followed focus when navigating my TV because for me it’s faster.
the last thing that i’ve noticed is that when you’re on the top row of apps, it now says, top shelf content available. Basically, you can swipe up and it’ll take you within the app. On TV OS 12, the apps on the top row never had VO read out that option. You had to guess.
Of course, your experience might vary depending on your apple tv model. But the 4th gen and 4k are basically the same, just one supports 4k and the other one doesn’t. Hopefully, this helps. there might be other changes i haven’t noticed. These are just the major ones i’ve caught.

By X2 on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - 16:43

I forgot to mention that the screen saver has changed. If you kept the default apple screen saver, you’d know it was a picture of down town Los Angeles. Well, now VO reads it as, passing Houston and approaching New Orleans in United States.

By J.P. on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - 16:43

The previous poster announced some of the major changes I’ve noticed. Some things will require a relearn. However, not earth shattering, and doesn’t break accessibility. I also have a 4K model.

By Jim D on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - 16:43

X2 and JP:
Thank you, this is the info I needed. I have a 4th gen, so I suspect my results will be fairly similar.
Much appreciated.
Jim