Apple has released a software update for the HomePod alongside iOS 14.1, which adds support for the newly announced Intercom feature for the HomePod and HomePod mini.
Intercom allows users to quickly send voice messages to other HomePods around the home. The Intercom feature also works with iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay, so messages can be listened to when out and about.
Today’s new HomePod software update brings an option to add music to alarms to wake up to a favorite song or playlist from Apple Music, as well as fixes an issue where stereo pairs can sometimes play out of sync, Siri improvements, and more.
Apple says: āSoftware version 14.1 includes support for āHomePod miniā and new āSiriā and Intercom features. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.ā
HomePod miniā
– Setup and automatically transfer your Apple ID, āApple Musicā, āSiriā and Wi-Fi settings to āHomePod miniā
āSiriā
– āSiriā suggestions appear in Maps when you ask āHomePodā for information about a location
– Web search requests to āHomePodā can be sent from āHomePodā to your āiPhoneā
– āSiriā can now stop alarms, timers, and media across āHomePodā speakers
– Voice recognition support for Podcasts for multiple users in the home
Intercom
– Ask āHomePodā to make announcements to other āHomePodā speakers throughout your home
– Intercom to all āHomePodā speakers
– Intercom to a āHomePodā in a specific room or zone
Other improvements and fixes
– Add music to your alarms and wake up to your personal song, playlist, or radio station from āApple Musicā
– Fixes an issue where stereo pairs can sometimes play out of sync
– Improves reliability when using āSiriā to control multiple speakers
– Optimizes āSiriā performance
