Apple’s iOS 17.4 Update Expands SharePlay to HomePod and Apple TV, CarPlay Set for Next-Gen Upgrade

Highlights

• iOS 17.4 brings Apple Music SharePlay from CarPlay to HomePod and Apple TV.
• SharePlay allows music control through QR code scanning on both iPhone and Android.
• Next-gen CarPlay announced for 2024, starting with luxury car brands.
• Developer betas already showcase SharePlay on Apple TV and HomePod.

Apple is set to revolutionise the way users interact with their music at home, thanks to the upcoming iOS 17.4 update.

This latest software enhancement brings the Apple Music SharePlay experience, previously limited to CarPlay, into the comfort of your living room with full compatibility for HomePod and Apple TV.

Integrating SharePlay into the Home Environment

With the release of iOS 17.4, along with tvOS 17.4 and HomePod 17.4 updates, users will experience a new level of music control.

First reported by Joe Rossignol from MacRumors, the developer betas released this week already feature SharePlay music control for Apple TV and HomePod.

Enhanced Music Sharing Features

Utilizing this feature on HomePod, iPhone users with Apple Music subscriptions can play a song in the Music app, tap the SharePlay icon to create a QR code, which others can scan using their phones, whether iPhone or Android, to request control over the music playback.

This inclusivity extends to both the HomePod and HomePod mini.

For Apple TV users, the tvOS 17.4 update enables the Music app to show a QR code on the TV screen.

Guests can scan this code to gain access to music control through any connected speaker.

The beauty of this system is that only the person initiating the SharePlay session needs to be an Apple Music subscriber.

Next-Gen CarPlay Takes Over Select Cars

In other exciting developments, CarPlay is on the cusp of celebrating a decade of integration, with Apple set to introduce a new generation of CarPlay in 2024.

Indications from the iOS 17.4 beta suggest that CarPlay 2.0 is nearing its debut in the automotive world.

Apple, reiterating its June 2022 announcement, confirms that the first cars equipped with the next-gen CarPlay will hit the streets in 2024.

This update, as noted by Joe Rossignol at MacRumors, includes a recent amendment to Apple’s CarPlay website, changing “Vehicle announcements coming in late 2023” to “First models arrive in 2024.”

The race to feature this next-gen technology is currently between luxury car brands Porsche and Aston Martin.

However, there’s hope that next-gen CarPlay will also be available in more affordably priced vehicles within the year.

FAQs

What new features does iOS 17.4 introduce for Apple Music SharePlay?

The iOS 17.4 update extends Apple Music SharePlay functionality from CarPlay to HomePod and Apple TV, allowing users to control music through QR code scanning.

How does SharePlay work on HomePod and Apple TV with the new update?

On HomePod, users can play a song and generate a QR code for others to scan and control music. On Apple TV, a QR code displayed on the screen grants guests music control access.

Is the SharePlay feature on iOS 17.4 limited to Apple devices?

No, SharePlay music control through QR code scanning is compatible with both iPhone and Android devices, enhancing accessibility across platforms.

When can users expect the rollout of the next-gen CarPlay?

Apple has confirmed that the first models with next-gen CarPlay will be available in 2024, with assets in the iOS 17.4 beta indicating its imminent release.

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