We reported a few weeks ago that Apple would be working on a feature allowing the synchronization of up to four of its HomePod speakers, notably to form a Home Cinema system. A much-anticipated wireless evolution by fans of the Apple ecosystem.
Clues in the tvOS 27.2 beta
Today, only two HomePods can be synchronized simultaneously in a stereo pair. But that should soon change, as the specialized site FlatPanels has indeed uncovered new information about this new multichannel feature, buried in beta 2 of the tvOS 27.2 operating system intended for Apple TV boxes. In this version, the feature is partially accessible in the Home app, and makes it possible to synchronize two pairs of speakers with the Apple TV [abc]4K[/abc].
Dolby Atmos in video, but limitations to be fixed
However, since this is a test version, it is not yet possible to assign a distinct role to the different HomePods (surround channels, effects...), and they all play exactly the same thing at the rear and at the front. Pairing works well with Dolby Atmos and surround sound from video sources, but menu and video game audio only plays through the front speakers.