Here’s what’s going on with Siri AI on HomePod and Apple TV, and why HomePod 2 may end up getting it.
One of the prerequisites for enabling Siri AI on any device is a SiriMode hardware check through MobileGestalt. The hardware check relies on the device’s reported newer for HomePod.
Here are the soc-generations for each HomePod device:
• HomePod (OG): H7
• HomePod mini 1: M9
• HomePod (2nd generation): M10
• HomePod mini 2: M11
HomePod (2nd generation) and HomePod mini 2 pass the gate. However, it seems that Apple may have tested Siri AI on older hardware as well. If a HomePod device fails the generation check, it can qualify based on a defined list of product IDs. In audioOS 27.2, those include both HomePod (OG) and HomePod mini 1.
Why does this hardware gate matter? It turns out there’s an equivalent eligibility gate for all products. For Apple TV, it expects soc-generation H11 or newer. Here are the recent Apple TV 4K models:
• Apple TV 4K (1st generation): H9
• Apple TV 4K (2nd generation): H11
• Apple TV 4K (3rd generation): H14
• Apple TV 4K (4th generation): H18
Apple has confirmed that access to Siri AI is available on Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) or later. All three currently supported models pass the hardware check. There is no product ID bypass for this gate.
If both HomePod 2 and Apple TV 4K pass the hardware gate, why can’t you enable it today?
• On Apple TV, the Linwood feature is gated to internal builds, even if the hardware qualifies. Apple says Apple TV 4K (4th generation) gets Siri AI with tvOS 27.2, so we’ll see what ships.
• On HomePod, the Linwood feature explicitly returns false. This tracks with Apple’s “will be available later as a free software update” announcement.
On both products, there’s a Siri/linwood_override feature flag that can bypass the ordinary Linwood check.
As always, these gates may change before release.
One of the prerequisites for enabling Siri AI on any device is a SiriMode hardware check through MobileGestalt. The hardware check relies on the device’s reported newer for HomePod.
Here are the soc-generations for each HomePod device:
• HomePod (OG): H7
• HomePod mini 1: M9
• HomePod (2nd generation): M10
• HomePod mini 2: M11
HomePod (2nd generation) and HomePod mini 2 pass the gate. However, it seems that Apple may have tested Siri AI on older hardware as well. If a HomePod device fails the generation check, it can qualify based on a defined list of product IDs. In audioOS 27.2, those include both HomePod (OG) and HomePod mini 1.
Why does this hardware gate matter? It turns out there’s an equivalent eligibility gate for all products. For Apple TV, it expects soc-generation H11 or newer. Here are the recent Apple TV 4K models:
• Apple TV 4K (1st generation): H9
• Apple TV 4K (2nd generation): H11
• Apple TV 4K (3rd generation): H14
• Apple TV 4K (4th generation): H18
Apple has confirmed that access to Siri AI is available on Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) or later. All three currently supported models pass the hardware check. There is no product ID bypass for this gate.
If both HomePod 2 and Apple TV 4K pass the hardware gate, why can’t you enable it today?
• On Apple TV, the Linwood feature is gated to internal builds, even if the hardware qualifies. Apple says Apple TV 4K (4th generation) gets Siri AI with tvOS 27.2, so we’ll see what ships.
• On HomePod, the Linwood feature explicitly returns false. This tracks with Apple’s “will be available later as a free software update” announcement.
On both products, there’s a Siri/linwood_override feature flag that can bypass the ordinary Linwood check.
As always, these gates may change before release.
9
13
227
16,535
Spotlight and Siri AI move to the Dynamic Island on the new MacBook Pro.
The new MenuBarAgent finally gets its moment.
The new MenuBarAgent finally gets its moment.
macOS 27 paves the way for a touchscreen Mac and a Dynamic Island with the new MenuBarAgent. Some system compact and minimal views already ship.
Siri AI is set to take over the new system aperture with a droplet-like design. Should be a fun day tomorrow!
4
8
270
11,796
macOS 27 adjustments when you use touch, part 4:
Stickies gets some love!
• Tap and hold to show Collapse, Zoom, and Close. (Side note, those window controls are tiny!)
Added in macOS 27.2 beta 1. Touch behavior tested in Sidecar.
Stickies gets some love!
• Tap and hold to show Collapse, Zoom, and Close. (Side note, those window controls are tiny!)
Added in macOS 27.2 beta 1. Touch behavior tested in Sidecar.
macOS 27 adaptations when you use touch, part 3:
Calendar
• Events get touch-specific circular resize handles.
Added in macOS 27.2 beta 4. Touch behavior tested in Sidecar.
2
1
122
14,471
macOS 27 adaptations when you use touch, part 3:
Calendar
• Events get touch-specific circular resize handles.
Added in macOS 27.2 beta 4. Touch behavior tested in Sidecar.
Calendar
• Events get touch-specific circular resize handles.
Added in macOS 27.2 beta 4. Touch behavior tested in Sidecar.
macOS 27 changes to accommodate touch, part 2:
Finder
• The Edit Tags menu adds more spacing between items, making them easier to tap.
Added in macOS 27.2 beta 4.
3
10
285
36,324
macOS 27 changes to accommodate touch, part 2:
Finder
• The Edit Tags menu adds more spacing between items, making them easier to tap.
Added in macOS 27.2 beta 4.
Finder
• The Edit Tags menu adds more spacing between items, making them easier to tap.
Added in macOS 27.2 beta 4.
macOS 27 changes to accommodate touch, part 1:
Safari
• Tabs lift and scale as you drag to reorder.
• Tap and hold a tab to open its context menu. The touch menu omits “Ask Siri.”
Added in 27.2 beta 3 & 4.
12
10
553
124,613
Apple shipped the SetupBackground app again in tvOS 27.2 RC, so you should see the Garhwal Himalayas background when setting up your new Apple TV next month.
Spotted on @_inside’s cool virtualization post: x.com/_inside/status…
Spotted on @_inside’s cool virtualization post: x.com/_inside/status…
Apple tested the Himalayan Peaks aerial as a Setup Assistant backdrop in tvOS 27 beta 3.
The aerial file appeared in a new SetupBackground app that only shipped in beta 3, and was later removed in beta 4.
This landscape aerial is already available in current tvOS versions.
1
2
228
9,884
No, iPhone Duo doesn’t have 4 inner ambient light sensors. It has 2. Point a flashlight at them to verify.
Most likely an iOS bug. Without a passcode, SpringBoard requests an empty padlock container for AOD. Sleep/wake transitions briefly show it. Also seen in the Duo sim.
Most likely an iOS bug. Without a passcode, SpringBoard requests an empty padlock container for AOD. Sleep/wake transitions briefly show it. Also seen in the Duo sim.
iPhone Duoのインナーディスプレイは、どの方向や持ち方でも輝度を測れるよう四隅に環境光センサーを備えているそうで、どの向きに持っていても画面ロック時に右上に黒い丸が一瞬現れて消える。
3
9
417
56,326
It’s iPhone Duo time! Some camera tidbits, based on iOS 27.1 and 27.2 RC:
Main: IMX954
• Quad-pixel, 1.0µm sub-pixels
• Largest configured readout: 8448 × 6048 (51 MP)
• Output: 12 MP 4032 × 3024, 24 MP 5712 × 4284, 48 MP 8064 × 6048
Ultra Wide: IMX972
• Quad-pixel, 0.7µm sub-pixels
• Same largest readout/photo sizes as Main, but largest readout at 15 fps vs 30.
• Also seen on iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 17/17 Pro/17 Pro Max.
Outer selfie: IMX915 (Boston)
• Largest configured readout: 4896 × 4896 (24 MP)
• Output: 12 MP 4032 × 3024, 16 MP 4032 × 4032 square.
Inner selfie: IMX916 (Reno)
• Quad-pixel sensor with 4896 × 4896 (24 MP) readout no config uses. Every format reads 2448 × 2448 (6 MP).
• Output: 4.44 MP 2432 × 1824, 5.9 MP 2432 × 2432 square.
• Also has “12 MP” 3024 × 4032 mode, upscaled 2× from a 1512 × 2016 crop.
Main: IMX954
• Quad-pixel, 1.0µm sub-pixels
• Largest configured readout: 8448 × 6048 (51 MP)
• Output: 12 MP 4032 × 3024, 24 MP 5712 × 4284, 48 MP 8064 × 6048
Ultra Wide: IMX972
• Quad-pixel, 0.7µm sub-pixels
• Same largest readout/photo sizes as Main, but largest readout at 15 fps vs 30.
• Also seen on iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 17/17 Pro/17 Pro Max.
Outer selfie: IMX915 (Boston)
• Largest configured readout: 4896 × 4896 (24 MP)
• Output: 12 MP 4032 × 3024, 16 MP 4032 × 4032 square.
Inner selfie: IMX916 (Reno)
• Quad-pixel sensor with 4896 × 4896 (24 MP) readout no config uses. Every format reads 2448 × 2448 (6 MP).
• Output: 4.44 MP 2432 × 1824, 5.9 MP 2432 × 2432 square.
• Also has “12 MP” 3024 × 4032 mode, upscaled 2× from a 1512 × 2016 crop.
3
6
212
16,473
Update: iPhone Duo may not support Pencil hover. Its iOS 27.2 touch bundle lacks the MaxHoverHeight setting found on iPad.
iOS 27.0 paths no longer activate Siri’s lightweight UI in 27.2 RC. Still, the Duo-specific send button remains.
Sorry for the false alarm folks!
iOS 27.0 paths no longer activate Siri’s lightweight UI in 27.2 RC. Still, the Duo-specific send button remains.
Sorry for the false alarm folks!
iPhone Duo will support Apple Pencil hover, according to iOS 27’s “Lightweight UI” presentation code for Siri AI.
The feature, which shows a Siri icon that expands to Ask Siri and action suggestions, is also coming to iPad.
Here we go:
1/ Lightweight UI is what Apple calls the that shows up with Siri AI enabled. It currently ships with macOS 27.
2/ iPadOS 27 ships with a disabled flag (WritingTools/LightweightUI_iPad) that controls the same feature.
You can enable it in your own apps by overriding UIResponder._isLightweightUIEnabledForWritingTools.
3/ On iPad, the feature works similarly to Mac. Grab a Magic Keyboard and hover over selected text, and the accessory shows up.
4/ Interestingly, iOS 27 RC adds another presentation branch, specifically for iPhone Duo (V68). But iPhone Duo doesn’t primarily support a mouse and keyboard.
5/ Turns out iPadOS also has a hover invocation with Apple Pencil for the feature.
Hence, iPhone Duo should have support for Apple Pencil hover to enable this feature.
This wasn’t guaranteed. iPad 11 doesn’t support hover with Apple Pencil (USB-C).
3
2
113
7,284
Opened or Closed automation triggers in Shortcuts actually ship with iPhone Duo!
Can’t wait to try this tomorrow. It’ll be interesting to test the responsiveness of the triggers on the physical device.
x.com/itspdfu/status…
Can’t wait to try this tomorrow. It’ll be interesting to test the responsiveness of the triggers on the physical device.
x.com/itspdfu/status…
Of course, during a briefing, I just had to check Shortcuts on the iPhone Duo.
There is indeed support for open/closed automations! This makes me so happy.
Will soon automate my Home Screens based on fold state
5
0
81
5,183
You can now choose characters from The Snoopy Show, Frog and Toad, and Stillwater as profile pictures for local Apple TV profiles.
The feature is rolling out in iOS 27.2 and tvOS 27.2.
Hopefully we’ll see more shows included soon!
The feature is rolling out in iOS 27.2 and tvOS 27.2.
Hopefully we’ll see more shows included soon!
You’ll soon be able to choose characters from the Apple TV catalog as profile pictures for local Apple TV profiles.
“Choose a character from Apple TV or an emoji.”
The server endpoint continues to serve only emojis, as in previous releases.
4
9
155
6,480
As expected, Edge Light comes to iPhone, but only on the inner display of the Duo.
iOS 27 gates the feature to iPhone Duo, so we’ll see if it expands to other models. Probably needed here to improve camera performance in low brightness.
x.com/itspdfu/status…
iOS 27 gates the feature to iPhone Duo, so we’ll see if it expands to other models. Probably needed here to improve camera performance in low brightness.
x.com/itspdfu/status…
Edge Light is actually on the inner Display of the iPhone Duo just like the Mac! You can also have it toggle on automatically
1
6
110
4,863
Out of the box, the volume buttons on iPhone Duo don’t change orientation with the display. The Fixed Position Volume Controls setting comes enabled by default, per @reckless.
You can enable dynamic volume buttons in Settings.
Full @verge review: theverge.com/tech/1015028/i…
You can enable dynamic volume buttons in Settings.
Full @verge review: theverge.com/tech/1015028/i…
iPhone Duo is the first iPhone to get dynamic volume buttons. The buttons adjust their behavior based on the device’s orientation.
iPhone Duo also supports Fixed Position Volume Controls. Available on earlier iPads, the setting keeps each button’s function fixed.
3
7
154
9,158
tvOS 27.2 allows you to shuffle through available Screen Savers throughout the day.
You can also set up Memories & Slideshows or Portraits screen savers on iPhone or iPad without sharing your whole library.
The features were announced in the Apple TV 4K press release.
You can also set up Memories & Slideshows or Portraits screen savers on iPhone or iPad without sharing your whole library.
The features were announced in the Apple TV 4K press release.
2
7
170
6,026
You’ll get new audio controls when you set up four HomePods with the new Apple TV.
Speaker Mode: Surround Sound or Whole Room Audio.
Specifically for Surround Sound:
• Spatialize Stereo: Control whether to play a spatially processed mix for video and music. As reported in d, normal stereo plays on the front speakers, while rear speakers receive an empty mix. Defaults to On for Video and Music.
• Surround Level: Adjust the rear pair relative to the fronts. Supports −8 dB through +8 dB, in 0.5 dB steps. Defaults to Normal (0 db).
There are no audio options for Whole Room Audio, as it uses stereo channels for both speaker pairs. The channels are assigned diagonally: front-left and rear-right share the left channel, while front-right and rear-left share the right channel.
Speaker Mode: Surround Sound or Whole Room Audio.
Specifically for Surround Sound:
• Spatialize Stereo: Control whether to play a spatially processed mix for video and music. As reported in d, normal stereo plays on the front speakers, while rear speakers receive an empty mix. Defaults to On for Video and Music.
• Surround Level: Adjust the rear pair relative to the fronts. Supports −8 dB through +8 dB, in 0.5 dB steps. Defaults to Normal (0 db).
There are no audio options for Whole Room Audio, as it uses stereo channels for both speaker pairs. The channels are assigned diagonally: front-left and rear-right share the left channel, while front-right and rear-left share the right channel.
11
17
300
19,351
audioOS 27.2 confirms that Whole Room Audio (Party Mode) is a secondary “diffuse” rendering mode for surround sound, so you’ll need the new Apple TV 4K.
The feature has an interesting implementation: it gives diagonally opposite HomePods the same L/R stereo role.
Front left → → Stereo right
Rear left → Stereo right
Rear right → Stereo left
So if you turn your back to the TV, you still get the correct L/R placement. You also get both L/R channels if you face sideways.
The feature has an interesting implementation: it gives diagonally opposite HomePods the same L/R stereo role.
Front left → → Stereo right
Rear left → Stereo right
Rear right → Stereo left
So if you turn your back to the TV, you still get the correct L/R placement. You also get both L/R channels if you face sideways.
8
10
261
19,398
Sound Glow will work on HomePod mini 1, HomePod mini 2 and HomePod (2nd generation)!
In HomePod Software 27.2 RC, the LightShowCapability check is “productType > 1,” so only the original HomePod is unsupported.
In HomePod Software 27.2 RC, the LightShowCapability check is “productType > 1,” so only the original HomePod is unsupported.
HomePod 2 will get the Sound Glow announced for HomePod mini 2: “the top of your HomePod lights up with colors that match your album artwork, pulsing in tune with the music.”
10
14
340
22,634
All HomePod models will support the Lock Controls setting, according to HomePod software 27.2 RC.
You should see the setting in the Home app after updating both HomePod and iPhone.
You should see the setting in the Home app after updating both HomePod and iPhone.
Apple is finally taking ghost touch issues seriously.
You may soon be able to disable touch interactions on HomePod, according to iOS 27.2 beta 4 code.
No details on model support yet. You’ll likely see the new light animation for rejecting touch events discovered last week.
7
7
118
7,202