So, you’ve got a new HomePod. Great! But aside from saying „Hey Siri, play me some music“ there is plenty more the smart speaker can do. Here we’ve detailed
So, you’ve got a new HomePod. Great! But aside from saying „Hey Siri, play me some music“ there is plenty more the smart speaker can do.
Here we’ve detailed a load of HomePod tips and tricks to get you started and show you what your new Apple smart speaker can do.
The HomePod set up is similar to setting up a pair of AirPods or the Apple TV. You need to be on iOS 11.2.5 and have your iOS device near the speaker when you do.
Don’t unplug the cable from the HomePod
It might be tempting if you are trying to get the cable down the back of a sideboard, or through a hole, but while possible, it’s not recommended to pull the plug out of the back of the HomePod. According to internal support documents, uncovered by MacRumours, whipping out the cable to get the cable through a desk hole or behind the back of something isn’t recommended:
„The HomePod includes a built-in power cable that should not be removed. In the rare instance that the cable is detached or damaged, do not attempt to remove or plug it back into HomePod. If the cable is removed or impaired, damage could have occurred to the cable or the internal components of HomePod.“
Proceed with caution.
If your HomePod doesn’t sound right, pick it up
The HomePod features an accelerometer that detects when the speaker has been moved so it can automatically whizz through the sound setup procedure again. If for some reason you aren’t happy with the sound your speaker is creating, pick up the HomePod, lift it in the air, and replace it where you want the speaker to go. This should automatically force the speaker to calibrate the sound again – something that takes seconds, and the audio should be improved. The chances are though, that you should never have to worry about doing this.
There are a number of ways you can control music playback on the HomePod. Either via voice commands to Siri, through the touch panel on the top of the speaker, or via the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad.
HomePod touch controls
You can tap the top of HomePod to play, pause, skip a song, or adjust the volume. Touch and hold the top to talk to Siri.
HomePod music voice controls
You can control the music playback of music played via the HomePod (ie not via AirPlay) by simply saying „Hey Siri“. Here are some basic voice commands:
Siri almost supports a number of more complex music voice commands like asking for specific genres, moods, or activities.
Activities include:
Moods include:
Genres include:
You can also go more specific either with artists or playlists. For example:
Once you’re playing a track you can then ask Siri more questions about what’s playing.
Controlling HomePod music via your iPhone
You can see what’s playing on your HomePod at any time either by asking Siri to tell you, or by accessing the HomePod via Control Center or the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad. To do so you have to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Via Control Center do the following:
Via Apple Music app to the following:
Allow Explicit Content on HomePod
You can set whether you want to listen to music with explicit content or not on the HomePod. Handy if you’ve got kids. To turn this feature on or off you need to go to the HomePod settings page in the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
Use Listening History on HomePod
Apple allows music played on the HomePod to influence your „For You“ recommendations and appear on your profile. If you’re worried that other members of your family might disrupt your recommendations (read kids listening to Disney or girl bands too much) you can turn this feature off. To do this follow the following instructions:
AirPlay from your iPhone to HomePod
If you want to play music directly from your device or from another service like Spotify or BBC radio you can AirPlay content straight from your iPhone or iPad to the HomePod. To do so simply go the app you want to play, find the AirPlay logo and then select your HomePod from the list of available devices.
Beyond music controls the HomePod also has the ability to send messages, set reminders, create lists, and add to notes using your voice.
Enabling Personal Requests
To enable or disable personal requests – ie send messages, add to your reminders, or create notes – you have to go to the Home app.
Creating a message with HomePod
To create a new message, you simply have to say „Hey Siri, text…“ or „Hey Siri, WhatsApp…“ As it stands Siri supports text messaging through iMessage, SMS, WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber, Skype, Linked In, and textPlus.
Adding to your Reminders or Lists
For Reminders and Lists you can ask to add items or complete them by telling Siri. You simply say things like: „Hey Siri, mark walk the neighbor’s dog as complete“ or „Hey Siri, add broccoli to the grocery list.“
HomePod supports Apple’s own Reminders app as well as Evernote, Things 3, Remember The Milk, Picniic, Streaks, and OmniFocus 2.
Adding or creating Notes
You can either create or add notes via the HomePod by saying things like: „Hey Siri, create a note Books to Read“ or „Hey Siri, add Columns of Fire to my Books to Read note“
You can hand-off calls you’ve started or received on your HomePod from your iPhone easily. When you’re in a call or about to accept a call simply select HomePod from the audio choices in Phone app in the same way you would a Bluetooth headset or speaker.
Once set up you can access the HomePod settings via the Home app on your Apple iPhone or iPad. To check the settings, find the HomePod in your Favourite Accessories and long press on the icon.
Setting an alarm on HomePod
You can set multiple sound alarms on the HomePod. Do to so follow these instructions
Using HomePod to control HomeKit devices
You can use the HomePod in the same way you would Siri on your phone to control Homekit devices in your home either by issuing commands to do something like „Hey Siri, turn on the lights“ to „Hey Siri, what’s the temperature in the living room?“ Any command or device that was previously set up with your phone will work in the same way on the HomePod.
You can fine tune Siri to some extent in the Home app on your iPhone or iPad although the control you have is limited.
