Apple is rolling out a new feature for HomePod mini and the second-generation HomePod called Sound Glow. It lights up the touch surface of the speaker with colors drawn from the album artwork of the currently playing song, adding some extra ambience to a party vibe. Here's how to enable it.
Sound Glow is supported by HomePod mini, HomePod mini 2, and the second-generation HomePod. The original 2018 HomePod is not supported. The feature shows animated ambient light effects based on what's playing, so music or a podcast with album artwork must be playing for it to work. In practice, two or three dominant colors from the artwork appear on the illuminated surface, and the balls of color bounce around to give a bit of motion. The light is not very bright, but if the HomePod sits against a white wall, you can get some visible color cast in a dark room, even if you can't see the top of the HomePod itself.
To enable Sound Glow, update to the latest software version, 27.2, which is currently in release candidate beta. Then open the Home app, long-press your HomePod, and scroll down to the settings. A new toggle for Sound Glow will appear. Enable it and start playing music to see it in action.
You can also turn on Sound Glow from Control Center on an Apple TV paired to HomePods. Long-press the Apple TV remote, scroll across to the HomePod menu item, and click to enable or disable Sound Glow. This quick access is handy when hosting a party, and it's just as easy to turn off when the effect becomes too distracting.
Source: 9to5Mac · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing