Your HomePod has a colorful new party trick: how to enable Sound Glow

9to5mac.com Oct 20, 2026

Your HomePod has a colorful new party trick: how to enable Sound Glow

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 20, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Apple has introduced “Sound Glow,” a visual feature for the HomePod mini, HomePod mini 2, and second‑generation HomePod that projects ambient colors onto the speaker’s touch surface. The lights draw two to three dominant hues from the album artwork of the currently playing track, creating animated, bouncing color balls that add a subtle visual cue to music or podcasts. The effect works only when artwork is available and is most visible against a light wall in a dim room. Users must install iOS 27.2 (release‑candidate beta) and enable the toggle in the Home app or via the Apple TV Control Center. The original 2018 HomePod does not support the feature.

💡 Why It Matters

· By turning audio playback into a low‑key light show, Apple blurs the line between speaker and ambient décor, giving HomePod owners a built‑in party‑mode without extra hardware.

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iPhone Duo has a bigger battery than Galaxy Z Fold 8 and…

Apple’s upcoming iPhone Duo, weighing 254 g and 11.3 mm thick when closed, features a 4,883 mAh battery—larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The capacity was confirmed via an EU energy label, a rare disclosure for Apple. While the battery size is not record‑breaking for foldables, it surpasses competitors, reinforcing Apple’s advantage in power and ecosystem integration. Pre‑orders for the Duo are delayed until 2027.

💡 The larger battery gives the Duo a tangible edge in endurance, strengthening Apple’s position against Android foldables and encouraging users to stay within its ecosystem.

9to5mac.com · Oct 20

Apple is launching major new products next week, here’s what’s coming

Apple unveiled HomeView, a new Apple TV, and a HomePod mini, and announced a second event for October 28 dubbed “Pro and tell.” The agenda includes a high‑end MacBook Pro expected to sit above the current lineup, possibly branded without the rumored “Ultra” moniker. An iPad mini will receive a first‑generation OLED screen, the A20 Pro processor from the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, landscape‑oriented front camera, enhanced water resistance and louder speakers. A refreshed iMac will ship with an M6 chip featuring a 12‑core CPU, 12‑core GPU and dual 16‑core Neural Engine, plus new color options. Apple also plans an entry‑level 14‑inch MacBook Pro powered by the same M6 silicon, retaining the existing design while boosting performance and efficiency and for professional creators today.

💡 The OLED iPad mini and M6‑powered Macs give Apple its first true OLED tablet and a unified high‑performance silicon strategy, sharpening its edge in premium hardware.

appleinsider.com · Oct 20

Apple HomeView vs Amazon Echo Show 8: Smart home screens compared

Apple entered the smart‑home display market with the HomeView, a 7‑inch Liquid Retina screen powered by its A18 chip and Siri AI, priced at $299. It competes directly with Amazon’s Echo Show 8, an 8.7‑inch HD touchscreen that costs $199.99. Both devices run Wi‑Fi 6E, Thread and support Matter, but Apple leans on HomeKit and its own sensors while Amazon offers Alexa, Zigbee and a larger speaker array. The HomeView is available as a freestanding unit with a tilting aluminum hinge or a ultra‑slim wall‑mount version weighing just 10.1 oz; the Echo Show 8 lacks a hinge and wall‑mount option, relying on a separate adjustable stand. Audio differs, with Apple delivering spatial Dolby Atmos via dual drivers and a down‑firing woofer, whereas Amazon provides a 2.8‑inch woofer and two full‑range drivers.

💡 Apple’s HomeView brings its tightly integrated ecosystem and premium hardware to a space dominated by Amazon, forcing a direct showdown between Siri‑centric and Alexa‑centric smart homes.

9to5mac.com · Oct 20

iOS 27.2 adds new setting to fix common HomePod annoyance

Apple’s iOS 27.2 update introduces a “Lock Controls” option for HomePod devices, letting users disable the touch‑sensitive top cap. The setting appears in the Home app after both the HomePod and iPhone are updated to version 27.2, and it applies to every HomePod model, including the 2018 first‑generation speaker. When enabled, the speaker will ignore accidental or intentional taps that would normally start playback, while still responding to Intercom, timers, alarms, Check‑In and FaceTime calls. The feature targets owners who experience phantom touches or who need to prevent children or pets from triggering the speaker. The change was confirmed by a leaked HomePod software 27.2 RC and will roll out next week. It also gives families control over smart‑home interactions.

💡 Disabling accidental taps stops unwanted audio, making the HomePod practical for homes with children or pets.

9to5mac.com · Oct 20

MagSafe Monday: Upgrading to the iPhone Duo? This MagSafe battery was built…

BMX introduced the SolidSafe Duo, a MagSafe battery pack engineered specifically for Apple’s newly released iPhone Duo. The accessory uses a custom 5,000 mAh semi‑solid‑state cell, allowing a compact shape that matches the phone’s unique dimensions without overhanging its edges. The design includes a 360‑degree rotating ring stand that stays attached as the device shifts between portrait, landscape and folded positions, eliminating the need to detach the pack. Charging delivers up to 15 W via MagSafe or 20 W through an integrated USB‑C lanyard, while the same cable can replenish the battery at up to 15 W. An LCD panel shows remaining capacity and real‑time charging speed. Priced above generic MagSafe packs, the SolidSafe Duo is available on Amazon and directly from BMX.

💡 By pairing a semi‑solid‑state cell with a dedicated form factor, BMX offers the first truly integrated power solution for the iPhone Duo’s unconventional design.

appleinsider.com · Oct 20

Apple still doesn’t understand gamers in spite of iPhone being a gaming…

Apple’s new App Store Worldwide head Carson Oliver told Polygon that the company remains convinced iPhone hardware can support premium gaming, citing the A20 Pro GPU, Mac‑gaming apps and new developer tools. Despite iPhones generating the world’s largest mobile game revenue, Oliver admitted most top‑selling titles are indie, pixel‑art experiences and that Apple’s past initiatives such as the Apple Games app have failed to attract core gamers. The interview highlighted Apple Arcade’s ad‑free catalog and upcoming ports like No Man’s Sky, yet Oliver stressed that “more console and PC franchises” are arriving on mobile. Critics argue Apple’s strategy repeats old missteps, limiting advanced emulators and pricing premium AAA ports higher than comparable PC or console versions, and raises questions about future platform relevance.

💡 Apple’s inability to align its hardware bragging rights with gamer expectations threatens to alienate a lucrative segment that could otherwise cement the iPhone as a true gaming hub.