Premium audio hardware vendor Bluesound adds native Apple Music streaming

appleinsider.com Oct 20, 2026

Premium audio hardware vendor Bluesound adds native Apple Music streaming

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 20, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Bluesound has updated its BluOS software to add native Apple Music support across its wireless speakers, stereo components, and soundbars. The firmware upgrade enables direct streaming from Apple Music without a host device, though users must connect via AirPlay 2 on an iPhone or iPad and sign in once through the BluOS Controller app. The update also extends to other BluOS‑compatible brands such as NAD, PSB, DALI, Cyrus, and Monitor Audio. The feature is free for owners, but requires an active Apple Music subscription.

💡 Why It Matters

· By integrating Apple Music, Bluesound expands its premium ecosystem, allowing audiophiles to access a vast streaming library on high‑end hardware without compromising on multi‑room control.

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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

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

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.

💡 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.

ign.com · Oct 19

Don’t Miss Out on Amazon’s Fall Audible Deal: Pay $0.99 Per Month…

Amazon is offering a limited‑time Audible promotion that runs until October 19. New and lapsed users, whether they have Prime or not, can enroll in Audible Standard for three months at $0.99 per month and receive an additional $20 credit. After the promotional period, the plan reverts to the regular $8.99 monthly rate, but members may cancel auto‑renewal at any time. Audible Standard provides one free audiobook each month and access to a catalog of more than one million titles, while Premium Plus adds a larger “Plus” collection and permanent credits. The deal effectively saves subscribers up to $72 annually on the base fee and includes popular titles such as “Dungeon Crawler Carl” and “The Stormlight Archive.” for avid listeners today.

💡 The ultra‑low price and bonus credit dramatically lower the barrier for users to try audiobooks, likely expanding Audible’s subscriber base beyond its core market.

appleinsider.com · Oct 16

Beats Pill x Pokemon review: peak portable audio with a splash of…

The 2024 Beats Pill has been relaunched with a USB‑C port, IP67 rating and a more rounded chassis. Beats partnered with the Pokémon franchise to release a limited‑edition gray speaker featuring Mimikyu on the grille and a full‑color Pikachu accent, plus a lanyard with Beats and Poké‑ball charms. Audio performance mirrors the standard Pill: upgraded tweeter delivers richer highs, while the bass‑heavy woofer remains powerful enough for outdoor use. Users can link two Pill units in Amplify Mode for stereo playback, though activation requires multiple button presses rather than an app. The collaboration adds only visual flair; the speaker’s sound quality, durability and portability stay consistent with the regular 2024 model. Collectors enjoy novelty, yet colorway restricts pairing for stereo.

💡 The tie‑in proves that branding can drive sales without enhancing core performance, turning a solid portable speaker into a must‑have for nostalgia‑hungry collectors.

androidcentral.com · Oct 16

You might see audiobooks in YouTube Premium next year if all goes…

YouTube is reportedly preparing to add audiobooks to its Premium service, targeting a 2027 rollout for the ad‑free $16‑per‑month plan. The move, cited by a Wall Street Journal report and echoed by GSMArena, follows Google’s ongoing talks with publishers to secure licensed titles and replace the platform’s current AI‑generated, often pirated audiobook content, which accounts for roughly 45 % of YouTube’s audiobook listening. By integrating a legitimate catalog, YouTube would join competitors Spotify— which launched a paid audiobook tier in 2023— and Amazon’s Audible. The initiative remains unconfirmed by YouTube, and its success will depend on negotiating rights and delivering a user experience that rivals established services.

💡 Offering licensed audiobooks could transform YouTube from a piracy hotspot into a legitimate streaming hub, expanding its subscription value proposition and challenging entrenched audiobook platforms.

androidcentral.com · Oct 15

Your dusty Nest and Home speakers just got a surprise firmware lifeline

Google has released firmware version 3.79.550760 for its older Nest speakers, including the original Google Home, Home Mini, Nest Mini, and Nest Audio. The update is available through the Home Preview Program and aims to improve smart‑home integration and reliability. It does not cover the Home Max. Users can enroll via the Home app, after which the firmware installs automatically overnight. Google plans a broader rollout in the coming weeks, with an additional October update targeting Gemini and voice‑control features.

💡 The update extends the life of legacy Nest devices, allowing users to keep functional smart speakers without purchasing new hardware. It demonstrates Google’s ongoing commitment to supporting older products amid rapid platform evolution.