Apple appears to be quietly rebuilding what a HomePod setup can do. Fresh code references buried inside audioOS 27 point to a real surround sound system, a feature called Party Mode, and a few other additions that go well beyond what HomePod currently offers.
A Real Surround Setup, Not Just a Stereo Pair
Right now, HomePod owners can only pair two units together as a stereo speaker output for Apple TV. The new code suggests something bigger: support for arranging four full-sized second-generation HomePod speakers into an actual surround sound system.
Each speaker in that setup gets its own specific job. The front two handle left and right channels, with processing built to account for speakers that often sit close to walls or corners. The rear pair works differently, using omnidirectional sound designed to fill the space behind and around the listener rather than aim sound in one direction.
Behind all of that sits a processing pipeline tasked with managing each speaker’s woofer, tweeters, bass, EQ, synchronization, and calibration data. The code also points to dynamic audio tuning that adjusts in real time depending on what’s playing, whether that’s a movie soundtrack or a music playlist.
Party Mode and a Mysterious “Forklift” System
Another feature tucked into the code goes by the name Party Mode. Turning it on spreads a HomePod’s sound into what the code describes as a wider, more ambient mix, aiming to fill an entire room evenly instead of creating one ideal listening spot directly in front of the speaker.
There’s also a system labeled “Forklift,” which appears to combine two full-sized second-generation HomePods with two additional speakers carrying an identifier that doesn’t match any HomePod product Apple currently sells. What exactly those extra speakers are remains unclear for now.
New Hardware May Be Coming Too
The software clues line up with recent hardware reporting. Bloomberg reported that Apple could release a new HomePod mini within the next several months, and that the company is testing a new full-sized HomePod as well, though that model isn’t expected soon. Apple’s current full-sized HomePod dates back to February 2023, making it overdue for a refresh regardless of these software hints.
None of this guarantees Apple will ship any of these features in their current form. Code found in beta software often gets delayed, reworked, or scrapped entirely before reaching a public release. Still, seeing this much groundwork laid for surround sound and room-filling audio modes is a solid sign that Apple hasn’t lost interest in building out its home theater lineup.
