Apple HomePod: which music streaming services are supported?

The Apple HomePod is the firm’s long-overdue foray into the smart speaker market, even if they’re branding it as a high-end audio speaker instead.

Nevertheless, music lovers will appreciate the tech going into the device, but what about supported music services?

Apple has updated its HomePod spec page (h/t: Ars Technica) with “audio sources”, specifically listing Apple Music, iTunes music purchases, Podcasts, iCloud Music Library, Beats 1 Live Radio and Airplay from other Apple devices to the speaker.

In other words, it looks like Google Play Music, Spotify, Deezer and other third-party music streaming services aren’t properly integrated into the HomePod then. You’ll probably want to Airplay third-party content from your iOS device or Mac instead.

Read more: Google Home Mini review – a cheap yet capable smart speaker?

The lack of integration means voice commands via the HomePod will likely not work for these third-party services.

To be fair, Google Home speakers don’t explicitly support Apple’s music services, forcing consumers to use Bluetooth instead. But Google’s speakers do support a few other third-party streaming services, down to voice commands.

Here’s hoping Apple issues updates to enable more third-party support…