now use your HomePod as a fire alarm

The HomePod (mini) has a new update: you can now use the speaker as a fire alarm. We explain how to set this up with the HomePod.

HomePod gets new ‘Sound Recognition’ feature

Apple has introduced a new feature for the HomePod (mini). With the new feature, dubbed “Sound Recognition” by Apple, the HomePod registers an alarm going off in its surroundings. Of course super handy if you are not at home for a day, you can then use your HomePod as a fire alarm. The HomePod recognizes both the sound of a carbon monoxide alarm and that of a smoke alarm.

Also read: ‘New HomePod with display will appear in early 2024’

As soon as your HomePod registers the sound of an alarm, a notification is sent to your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. As a result, it is no longer necessary to buy ‘smart’ smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors, which are often much more expensive than variants without an internet connection. Are you curious about how to use your HomePod (mini) as a fire alarm? iPhoned explains it for you.

This way you use the HomePod as a fire alarm

To set up Sound Recognition on your HomePod, the Home app must have the latest Home architecture. So first check in the Home app whether you have the latest version of the app on your iPhone or iPad. You can check this at the three dots at the top right of the Home app under ‘Home settings > Software update’. Is there no update? Then your app up to date.

To then use the HomePod as a fire alarm, you must enable Sound Recognition. You do this as follows:

Please note, because the HomePod must also have the latest update. Once both the Home app and your HomePod are updated, you can enable Sound Recognition. Your HomePod then automatically sends a notification if a fire alarm or carbon monoxide alarm goes off in your home. That way you can easily use the HomePod as a fire alarm.

To recognize the sound of a smoke detector, the HomePod uses the always-on microphone. This means that the microphone of the HomePod is always on and that the speaker is, in principle, always ‘listening in’. Fortunately, this does not mean that Apple can listen to all your conversations, with Sound Recognition enabled, the data is sent encrypted to your Apple device. In this way, Apple itself cannot view the content of the data.

HomePod also functions as a smart thermostat

You can use both the HomePod 2023 and the HomePod mini as a fire alarm with the new update. Previously, the speakers were already provided with an update that activated the temperature and humidity sensor. The sensor can – as the name suggests – measure and register the temperature and humidity in a room. You can then see this information in the Housing app.

Read also: This is why Apple has released a new HomePod after all

Using the HomePod as a fire alarm greatly improves the safety of your home. Are you planning to buy the HomePod 2023? Then check out the best prices in our price comparison. If you find the second generation HomePod too expensive, the HomePod mini is the cheaper alternative. Check out the best prices here:

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