Everything you can do with the new Apple HomePod

Take advantage of tech

Vidita Chandra 20 Jan 2023 03:00 PM

Apple’s crème de la crème is not the iPhone or the Macs, it's the ecosystem that makes the user experience nonpareil. Individually Apple products are good, some would agree they’re better than others while some would argue, frankly speaking, there is no final word on that. But the game changes when we bring the ecosystem in perspective, Apple devices speak to each other like no others, and the integration is further enhanced with the new devices launched this year. 

Here, we are going to look at the new HomePod and how well it fits in the family.

From iPhone to HomePod

You know, you can hand off whatever you're playing on an iPhone to the HomePod in just a click. Be it a song, podcast or even a call, the Ultra Wideband technology helps users to directly switch to the HomePod. The device recognizes and can register up to six voices, so each member of the home can hear their personal playlists, ask for reminders, and set calendar events. And, as you bring your iPhone next to the HomePod, suggestions about personalised songs and podcast recommendations surface automatically.

Sync two and more

This is our personal fav. With the use of multiroom audio in AirPlay, you can ask Siri to play the same song across multiple HomePod speakers or even use them as an intercom to broadcast messages to other rooms, cool right? And, of course, you can play different songs on different HomePod speakers as well but who likes the usual bit?

For stereo sound

You can also create a stereo pair with two HomePod speakers in the same space. In addition to separating the left and right channels, a stereo pair plays each channel in harmony, creating a wider, more immersive soundstage than traditional stereo speakers for a truly standout listening experience. And in case you don't wish to ask Siri for help, just touch and hold the top of HomePod to play the same song on multiple HomePod speakers.

HomePod’s rapport with the Apple TV

The 2nd generation HomePod easily pairs with Apple TV 4K for a home theatre experience, and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)5 support on Apple TV 4K enables customers to make HomePod the audio system for all devices connected to the TV. Plus, with Siri on HomePod, you can control what’s playing on the Apple TV hands-free.

It finds when you can’t

Another cool feature is ‘Find My’, really helpful to find the lost device. We’re sure you also reel under the frequent misplacing of smaller devices, especially phones. This is where the feature comes in handy, just say ‘Find My’ followed by the device you are looking for and the HomePod makes it possible to locate your Apple devices by playing a sound on the misplaced device. Using Siri, you can also ask for people and the location of friends or loved ones who’ve shared their location via the app.

Command home accessories

By activating Siri, you can also control a single device or multiple smart home accessories to work at the same time, or even set up recurring automations hands-free like ‘Hey Siri, open the blinds every day at sunrise’. A new confirmation tone indicates when a Siri request is made to control an accessory that may not visibly show a change, like a heater, or for accessories located in a different room.

Managing the basics

With Sound Recognition, HomePod can listen for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and send a notification directly to your iPhone. Really helpful when nobody is at home. There is a new built-in temperature and humidity sensor that can measure indoor environments, so you can also create automations about closing the blinds or turning on the fan automatically when a certain temperature is reached in a room.