HomePod update to allow users to make and answer phone calls, and more
Apple is supposedly beta testing a range of new features for Siri on the HomePod as part of a closed-door beta program open to corporate and (some) retail employees ahead of the launch of HomePod OS 12.0, most likely arriving alongside the public release of iOS 12 in September.
The new HomePod beta reportedly includes call features, allowing users to start and answer calls directly from the Siri-enabled smart speaker as well as the ability to ask Siri to Find My iPhone, and set multiple timers on the device.
According to French tech blog iGeneration, in addition to the new features above, the report suggests HomePod users could soon be able to listen to voicemails and search their call history by simply asking Siri.
It is yet unknown if Apple will eventually expand the HomePod OS 12.0 beta to registered developers or public beta testers like it has done for iOS 12, watchOS 5 and macOS Mojave. HomePod last received an update alongside the release of iOS 11.4.1 which added stability and quality improvements.