macOS Big Sur 11.3 gives your Mac the ultimate speaker upgrade

macOS Large Sur 11.3 gives your Mac the ultimate speaker upgrade

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Apple has released a beta version of its macOS Big Sur xi.3 update, which includes massively improved back up for using stereo paired HomePods in place of your Mac'southward congenital-in speakers.

While the beta version appears incomplete, this could marker a big change for serious Apple tree fans who want to get even more out of their smart speakers. The update adds the ability to select the stereo pair as a single default sound output, something the release version of Large Sur can't currently do.

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Information technology is currently possible to turn a HomePod stereo pair into a set of desktop Mac speakers, though the process is much more complicated and limited. You need to use the AirPlay carte to select the pair as an output, and tin can then only use information technology for playback through the AirPlay and Music apps. In the 11.3 beta, being able to set a pair of HomePods as a default output should substantially merely let y'all utilise them as would whatever other pair of connected speakers.

This likewise brings macOS in line with other Apple platforms similar iOS, iPadOS and Apple Tv, which already allows you lot to apply a HomePod stereo pair every bit a straightforward audio output.

Notwithstanding, as noted by MacRumors, the beta version is simply available for developers and doesn't entirely have paired HomePods behaving as you might look. Apparently you can play stereo sound from music and videos, but system sounds still play from the Mac's own speakers. The report too says "the feature is non nevertheless working consistently," though that's not terribly surprising for a beta exam.

It as well sounds similar the improved stereo pairing support will also apply to the HomePod mini, which would make for a much more affordable Mac audio setup than using two full-size HomePods. You can pair ii HomePods or ii HomePod minis together, only y'all can't mix the two models.

There's no official release date for Big Sur 11.iii proper, and every bit beta testing has but just begun it likely won't be for a few weeks at least. In the meantime, you can ever check out the best computers speakers instead.

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James joined Tom's Guide in 2020, bringing years of experience in consumer tech and product testing. Every bit Audio Editor, James covers headphones, speakers, soundbars and annihilation else that intentionally makes dissonance. A PC enthusiast, he also covers the occasional spot of calculating and gaming news, commonly relating to how hard it is to notice graphics menu stock.