Filipe Espósito, 9to5Mac:

Unlike all other versions of the HomePod Software, 13.4 is derived from tvOS, and no longer the original iOS that iPhone and iPad runs. As we said, this doesn’t affect how you use your HomePod since they all run with the same base system, but it makes us think about what Apple is working on for the future of HomePod.

And:

iOS is designed to work on devices that rely on an internal battery, which means that the way iOS manages power consumption is different from how tvOS does it. Apple TV is always plugged in, and so is the HomePod.

And:

Both Apple TV and HomePod also operate as a home hub for HomeKit, since they’re devices that are always connected at home.

As is, my HomePod and Apple TV do not connect at all. If I ask HomePod Siri to turn on my Apple TV, I jump into a rabbit hole of HomePod trying to run a shortcut, but ultimately failing.

I’m wondering if this path will allow HomePod Siri to act as a hands-free Apple TV remote, with all the power of my iPhone’s Remote app.

And, perhaps, HomePod Siri would know all the shows, Apple TV+, Netflix, Prime Video, etc., give me the power to ask questions, such as, “When is the next episode of The Morning Show” going to drop?” As is, I get, “I can’t get info about TV shows on HomePod. Sorry about that.”

I would welcome these sorts of changes.