Upcoming HomePod Software to Add Call Support, Multiple Timers, Find My iPhone, Lyric Search and More

Wednesday September 12, 2018 3:44 PM PDT by Juli Clover
At today's "Gather Round" event at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted some new features that are coming to the HomePod through a software update set to be released next Monday.


The HomePod will gain a number of new features with the software update, which is going to come alongside iOS 12, tvOS 12, and watchOS 5.
  • Search for your favorite songs by lyrics using Siri
  • Create multiple timers
  • Make and receive phone calls right from the HomePod
  • Ping your iPhone or any of your Apple devices to find them in your home
HomePod is also going to work with Siri Shortcuts, a feature coming in iOS 12. According to Cook, Siri Shortcuts will "open up a world of apps" for HomePod.

Many of these new features are additions that HomePod users have been hoping for. The HomePod has been the butt of jokes for not being able to support more than one timer at once, and while it could be used as a speakerphone previously, the new phone call functionality will expand its usefulness as a standalone communication device.

All of Apple's fall software updates are set to be released on Monday, September 17, with the exception of macOS Mojave, which will see a release on September 24.

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30 comments


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OldSchoolMacGuy
1 week ago

just make a homepod without siri. I just want a nice Apple AirPlay2 speaker


You know you don't have to use it, right? You can simply use it as a speaker system if you like.

Using your voice:

[LIST=1]
* Say "Hey Siri, stop listening.""
* When Siri asks you to confirm, say ""Yes.".

Using the Home app:

[LIST=1]
* Launch the Home app on your iPhone or iPad Home screen.
* Tap on the Rooms tab, bottom middle.
* Swipe to the Room that contains your HomePod.
* Long press (or firmly press) on your HomePod.
* Tap Details.
* Toggle Listen for "Hey Siri" off.

Rating: 7 Votes
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BWhaler
1 week ago
Still won’t buy it. Strangled by Siri.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Stike
1 week ago

I so wanted Calendar access. Just want to say "Hey Siri! What have I got on today?" and "Hey Siri! Remind me to call Jim tomorrow morning."

Calendar support has been added. I just asked my HomePod what's on the calendar for the weekend, and it started narrating my entries...
Rating: 4 Votes
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k2director
1 week ago
Needs to recognize different family
members.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Lidar
1 week ago
Still a no-go for me until family support is added.
Rating: 3 Votes
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OldSchoolMacGuy
1 week ago
Some nice additions. Certainly stuff people complained about it not having.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Bryan Bowler
1 week ago
Finally! Thank you Tim!
Rating: 2 Votes
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PickUrPoison
1 week ago

Do you own either? Or just going off specs. I own both. If I had to choose just one I would choose the beam. The price difference is not large, and it does sound great. But more importantly it’s connection options are far superior. That’s my opinion after owning both. I do not say the same about sonos one.

I don’t really appreciate the name, as I think it’s an attempt to imply it’s something it’s not. It’s fine for a sound bar, but you consider it great for music? Maybe paired with a sub. If I wanted Sonos I’d rather spend the extra money for a play:five.
Rating: 1 Votes
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G5isAlive
1 week ago

just make a homepod without siri. I just want a nice Apple AirPlay2 speaker


Its available and it’s called Sonos Beam
Rating: 1 Votes
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SBlue1
1 week ago

Needs to recognize different family
members.


I was wondering how it would know who is asking since both me and my wife have separate iCloud accounts like most have. Will it read my mails, messages, contacts and so on or hers? Now I get it, it is useless for one half of the household!
Rating: 1 Votes
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