Apple to activate previously unused HomePod mini temperature and humidity sensor with new software update
Apple has announced a new 2nd-generation full-sized HomePod, priced at $299 featuring enhanced Siri capabilities, support for Spatial Audio, the S7 chip, and more, available to pre-order today ahead of availability beginning Friday, February 3.
With the new HomePod, Apple is adding temperature and humidity sensing capabilities, allowing users to ask Siri to detect the temperature and humidity of a room, and create automations based on the results it detects.
Unbeknown to many, the temperature and humidity sensor in the new full-size HomePod has been inside the HomePod mini since its launch in 2020, although until now, Apple has kept the sensor disabled by deactivating the capabilities through software updates.
Through an update to its website today, Apple has seemingly confirmed that with a future software update, it will now enable temperature and humidity sensing on the HomePod mini, allowing users to create automations to ask Siri to close the blinds if the temperature hits 30 degrees, for example, or turn on the fan automatically when a certain temperature is reached in a room.
Apple is yet to confirm when temperature and humidity sensing capabilities will come to the HomePod mini, but it is believed a new HomePod software update could roll out as soon as next week, when Apple releases iOS 16.3.