HomePod & Apple TV: Beta code reveals Siri AI Apfelpatient

Traces of Siri AI have surfaced in the code of the second tvOS 27 developer beta – specifically around the time of setting up the HomePod. This discovery fits a scenario that is becoming increasingly clear for the fall: new home hardware whose main selling point is its completely revamped voice control.

New versions of Apple TV 4K and HomePod have long been considered virtually finished – the only thing missing was the software. A detail from the tvOS 27 beta code now supports this view. It was already reported over the weekend that the upcoming home hardware is expected to launch this fall with support for Siri AI; the rumor mill has long considered it a given that Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini will launch together this fall. The latest code discoveries provide another piece of the puzzle – and show that Apple is already preparing the platforms behind the scenes for AI-powered voice control.

What's in the tvOS 27 beta code

The clue was spotted by developer Filipe Espósito, who was examining the code of the tvOS 27 beta. The first beta already contained references to Apple Intelligence features. The second developer beta now goes a step further: New code surrounding the HomePod setup process explicitly mentions the next generation of Siri, which is based on Apple Intelligence.

The code doesn't reveal exactly how these functions will ultimately work. However, it does demonstrate that Apple is actively preparing the tvOS and HomePod software for Siri AI integration. This is particularly noteworthy because Siri AI is not yet available on any HomePod or Apple TV model. A reference deep within the setup code is therefore more than just a footnote – it indicates that the feature is indeed in development for this class of devices.

Hardware waiting for software

It's been known for months that new Apple Home devices are in development. Originally expected last fall, they had to be postponed due to repeated delays with Siri AI. Now, all signs point to a market launch this fall. The reason for the long wait was never the hardware itself, but the software: the launch was tied from the outset to the revamped Siri version, which is intended to be the central selling point for the new models. It was already apparent that the Siri delay would slow down the market launch of the new Apple TV 4K.

The WWDC keynote was notable: when Apple unveiled its completely revamped voice control, Apple TV and HomePod went unmentioned, and tvOS 27 and the HomePod software barely featured. This newly discovered code now fills that gap and provides the first solid evidence that both device classes are intended for Siri AI.

Shared code base up to the HomePad

One reason why this discovery carries weight beyond just Apple TV is that Apple TV and HomePod share the same software foundation. This is likely to extend to the HomePad, expected later this year – the modular display device at the heart of Apple's planned smart home initiative. What's revealed in the tvOS code therefore potentially affects an entire product family, not just a single model.

Furthermore, there's a long-circulating rumor that the shared software platform could eventually be migrated to a standalone operating system called homeOS. While this hasn't been confirmed, it fits the picture of an Apple home that relies more heavily than before on its own hardware, its own software, and consistent AI control.

The open question for users in the EU

For users in Germany and the rest of the EU, a separate question arises. Siri AI will not initially launch on iPhones and iPads in these countries because Apple cites the Digital Markets Act as an obstacle. Interestingly, Macs and Apple Vision Pro are exempt from this restriction and will receive the feature in the EU. While the Apple Watch is not formally among the blocked devices, in practice it relies on the paired iPhone – if Siri AI is missing there, the feature will also be unavailable on the watch. Since the block is not based on technical grounds but rather on the regulatory classification of iPhones and iPads as core platforms, it remains unclear how Apple will classify HomePod and Apple TV. Whether the new voice control will launch on the HomePod hardware in Germany is therefore currently uncertain – nothing is confirmed.

Why the discovery reinforces the autumn plans

That Siri AI is coming to HomePod and Apple TV wasn't a huge surprise given previous reports. Nevertheless, the code hint from the ongoing tvOS 27 beta is a strong signal: it shows that the preparations are no longer just on paper and in Gurman reports, but are already built into the software. For the expected fall rollout of new Home devices, this is one of the most concrete confirmations so far. (Image: Apple)