With the launch of iOS 26 and HomePod Software 26, Apple is adding support for Crossfade, an Apple Music feature that improves transitions between songs.
Beta testers who have the second HomePod Software 26 and iOS 26 betas now have an option to enable Crossfade. The toggle is a little bit hidden, but it can be found by opening up the Home app, going to Settings, tapping on a person's name, and choosing Apple Music.
Crossfade timing can be set anywhere from one second to 12 seconds, so users can adjust the fade in and fade out period for song transitions. When Crossfade is toggled on, the volume of the song that's ending will lower gradually, while the volume of the song that's coming on will increase. It is designed to prevent silence gaps between songs.
Crossfade is an Apple Music feature, so an Apple Music subscription is required to use it. It has been an option on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac for some time now, but Apple didn't bring it to the HomePod until now.
Apple Music in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26has a new AutoMix feature that replaces Crossfade. AutoMix goes beyond simple crossfading, and it uses time stretching and beat matching for a DJ-like song transition experience.
The HomePod 26 software also includes a new feature that allows you to select a Wi-Fi network to connect to, something that wasn't an option before.
Thursday July 24, 2025 9:11 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone 17 series is expected to debut in September 2025. This release follows Apple's recent trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall.
To unveil the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple is expected to hold its annual iPhone announcement event during the week of September 8, 2025, with September 9 or 10 emerging as the most likely...
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max should launch in late September, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices.
Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models, as of July 2025:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14...
Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models will have several new camera-related features, according to an anonymous tipster who contacted MacRumors today.
The tipster claimed to be familiar with an iPhone 17 Pro commercial that is allegedly being produced by a film company that has publicly listed Apple as one of its clients. MacRumors has not independently confirmed any of the information shared ...
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device.
Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable
5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2
Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
Earlier this month, MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to permanently close its Partridge Creek store, just outside of Detroit, Michigan, and now the company has announced a closure date for the location.
Apple Partridge Creek
Apple Partridge Creek's final day of business will be Saturday, August 16, with the store set to close for good at 8 p.m. local time that day. All of ...
While the focus is now on iOS 26, there is still an iOS 18.6 update incoming.
As noted by Aaron Zollo, Apple on Wednesday re-labeled iOS 18.6 Beta 4 as simply iOS 18.6, meaning that it is the Release Candidate version. This change effectively confirms that the update will be released to the public next week.
Alongside the new label, Apple shared release notes for iOS 18.6, which is a...
We may finally have a definitive list of all color options for the iPhone 17 series, ahead of the devices launching in September.
MacRumors concept
In a Macworld report this month, Filipe Espósito said he obtained an "internal document" that allegedly reveals all of the color options for the upcoming iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max models.
The report...
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices.
Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models, as of July 2025:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Apple Introduces Genmoji on HomePod with iOS 26 Now your speaker can send emoji. Because that was the missing piece in your life.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA — June 25, 2025 — In a move that’s “revolutionary”, Apple today announced game changing new functionality: Genmoji are now available on HomePod with the release of iOS 26.
Yes, the speaker that’s been magically playing your music and mishearing your requests since 2018 is now capable of responding with AI-generated emojis. Because clearly, what users wanted was not better Siri comprehension, multi-user memory, or local podcast support—it was anthropomorphic emojis giving them side-eye.
“Built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence, Genmoji on HomePod represents a huge leap forward in ambient personality projection,” said Kelly Smirkson, VP of Feature Justification. “Now when you ask Siri about the weather, she can shrug with a sarcastic cartoon cloud or a web emoji instead of the typical 'here's what I found on the web'.”
New Features in iOS 26 for HomePod include:
* Emotionally Overexpressive Siri: No longer limited to just voice, Siri now responds to queries with abstract Genmoji. Ask how your stocks are doing, and HomePod may respond with a todamoon rocket, sweating piggy bank or a burning dumpster. * Silent Judgment, Visually Rendered: You’ll know HomePod is listening—and quietly mocking—when it flashes a Genmoji of an exhausted rabbit in response to your third Taylor Swift request of the day. * Voice-to-Emoji Translation: Tell your HomePod you’re “fine,” and it’ll reply with a melting smiley that says, “No you’re not, but sure.”
Critics have described the feature as “the least helpful update since U2 appeared in my library,” and “a high-effort way to feel low-key insulted by a $299 speaker.”
When pressed for clarity on the feature’s purpose, Apple responded, “Vibes.”
Compatibility: Genmoji on HomePod requires iOS 26 and a tolerance for minor absurdity. Works on HomePod (2nd gen) and HomePod mini. Not supported on AirPods Pro—yet. But don’t worry. We’re working on it.
At Apple, we’ve always believed in pushing the boundaries of what technology can do.
Hope they bring back the feature "doesn't mishear you half the time" and get rid of the feature "hang for 15 seconds and then say it ran into a problem." Our HomePod mini has gotten steadily less usable with every update.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
