Apple officially released iOS 14.4 and a corresponding update for its HomePod mini speaker, adding the long-promised ultra-broadband transfer (UWB) feature that will allow newer iPhones to transfer music, calls and podcasts between the two devices more perfectly.
While the original HomePod and HomePod mini have supported music distribution for some time, the smaller device has an ultra-wideband U1 chip that promises to make transferring content from an iPhone 12 or iPhone 11 device even easier. The new enhanced functionality at U1 also adds additional features, including new visual and tactile comments. The U1-based system will also give you the option to show listening suggestions when you approach the phone and display the media controls on the iPhone without requiring you to unlock it first.
The ultra-broadband transfer feature was originally introduced when the HomePod mini was first announced, but was not included in the original launch. Instead, Apple promised it would be available later in 2020 (a deadline the company missed slightly).
To take advantage of the new update, you will need a HomePod mini that has been updated with the latest software, along with an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 device equipped with U1 running iOS 14.4. The original HomePod is not compatible with the new functionality, however, due to the lack of a U1 chip.