Apple recalls former HomePod engineer to get its software back on track

In a bid to get back on track in developing its HomePod software, Apple has reportedly rehired a former HomePod engineer, Afrooz Family, as the lead software engineer.

According to the reports from Bloomberg, this move could possibly be indicating an attempt by Apple to make its HomePod compare even better to its major competitors. Recall that just last month, the company released an updated HomePod software version 15, adding some new features. Most notably, the feature that enables users to set one or a pair of HomePod Mini speakers directly with an Apple TV 4K. But yet, Apple seems to be facing very serious competition in this line of smart speakers. Most especially with Google and Amazon’s smart speakers coming with their own smart assistants.

Family left Apple some 5 years ago (2016 precisely), while he was a senior audio engineer. He then moved on to co-found audio company Syng with another ex-Apple employee, Christopher Stringer. No wonder a Financial Times article once described Family as Syng’s secret weapon. Syng would later go on to become very popular. If not for any other of its offerings, the company became famous for its Cell Alpha connected speaker, which offers spatial audio in a Death Star-like design, selling for an unduly high price of $1,799. According to Bloomberg however, Family left Syng early this year for undisclosed reasons.

Thinking back about the first HomePod release in 2018, Apple was initially praised about the sound quality of the product but also largely bashed for the ridiculously high price. However, taking note of users feedback and discontinuing the production, Apple waited for a long while before relaunching. Finally, the company released the smaller and cheaper HomePod Mini last year but now, just maybe the sound quality isn’t as it should be. This is most likely the reason for rehiring Family, a renowned sound engineer with lots of experience in the field.