Since Apple's HomePod became available for preorder last week, there has been confusion about the music it can play. Apple recently added an "audio sources" section to HomePod's tech spec webpage that lays out exactly where you can play music from using the smart speaker. These are the supported sources:

Apple Music (subscription required)

iTunes Music purchases

iCloud Music Library with an Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription

Beats 1 Live Radio

Podcasts

Content via AirPlay to HomePod from iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Mac

It's not surprising that nearly all of these sources draw music from Apple's ecosystem. HomePod was always going to prioritize Apple-approved music before all other types, but that will make it harder for users who don't dwell in Apple's ecosystem to use HomePod regularly.

Siri voice commands should work with all music sources except content accessed via AirPlay. It appears Siri has limited integration on HomePod right now, and in terms of music, Apple will likely keep Siri controlling only music that the company provides. AirPlay appears to be the best way for users to stream music that isn't controlled by Apple, such as Spotify or Pandora, to a HomePod speaker (it's still unclear if HomePod can be used as a Bluetooth speaker). When the AirPlay 2 protocol launches later this year, users will be able to stream audio to multiple HomePods and other AirPlay 2 compatible speakers.

Questions about audio source support have been swirling since HomePod was announced, and there was recent confusion surrounding iCloud Music Libraries with and without iTunes Match subscriptions. According to an iMore report, you can ask Siri to play any songs you've purchased through iTunes no matter if you have an iTunes Match subscription or not. However, those with songs in their library purchased elsewhere will need to have an iTunes Match subscription to play them on HomePod and access them with Siri commands.

Apple is quite late to the smart speaker party, and HomePod may have trouble breaking in due to its Apple-only compatibility and its $349 price tag. Not only have Amazon and Google been making smart speakers for while, but both companies have embraced the affordable smart speaker sector with their Echo Dot and Google Home Mini devices (both of which are $49). Also, Amazon's Alexa and Google's Assistant are more advanced than Siri will be on HomePod at launch, but Apple is likely hoping that SiriKit for HomePod will make the assistant better equipped to help out in the home over time.

HomePod will be widely available in the US, UK, and Australia starting February 9.