These iOS 27 features make so much sense for Apple’s ‘HomePad’

June 26, 2026 admin

iOS 27 adds a variety of new features to the Photos app on iPhone, some of which appear very much intended for the forthcoming ‘HomePad’ product.

iOS 27’s Photos app has new slideshow and shared album features perfect for HomePad

If you follow Apple rumors closely, you’ll know that iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate are packed with hints about forthcoming hardware products.

New software features offer signs of what’s coming in iPhone Ultra, MacBook Ultra, and an Apple Home security camera.

But iOS 27 also includes features that seem very much designed for the new HomePad / HomePod Touch product.

Apple’s smart display is expected to launch this fall, at the same time as iOS 27’s Photos app gets improvements that are perfect for it. For example, new slideshow features I detailed here:

Apple Photos has supported quick, easy slideshow creation for years. But if you wanted to customize the automatically generated slideshows, you were out of luck.

Now in iOS 27, slideshows offer new tools for customization. You can change the transition type, set a custom length for the full slideshow and for each photo, and more.

Slideshows could easily be one of the HomePad’s tentpole features, displaying images onscreen when the device isn’t actively in use. Users have wanted more powerful slideshow features for years, and it’s likely no coincidence that Apple has granted that wish now.

Similarly, iCloud Shared Albums are getting big updates in iOS 27 after many years sitting untouched by Apple. Here’s what’s new, per Apple:

Full resolution photos and videos
Shared Albums with Windows and Android
React with any emoji
Easier to save photos
Expire your Shared Albums
Additional participant permissions

The HomePad will be a great reason to encourage iPhone owners to start using iCloud Shared Albums. Imagine being able to have new photos from friends and family show up right on your HomePad, with no need for anyone to download an extra app or set up new accounts.

It’s been a longer wait than expected, but I’m still very excited for Apple’s HomePad, and iOS 27’s new upgrades help.