Following yesterday’s release of iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, tvOS 16.3, watchOS 9.3, and macOS Ventura 13.2 updates, Apple today released a new HomePod software release for HomePod, HomePod 2, and HomePod mini. software 16.3, version number (2A1467).
According to Apple’s release notes, version 16.3 of the HomePod software adds several new features. It activates temperature and humidity sensing for the HomePod 2 and HomePod mini, allowing these readings to be used for home automation.
HomePod mini previously had a dormant temperature and humidity sensor, but Apple has finally activated it, allowing temperature and humidity sensing to be activated in home automation and devices.
With sound recognition, HomePod can hear smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and send notifications directly to the user’s iPhone after recognizing such sounds. New built-in temperature and humidity sensors measure the indoor environment and let users set up automated actions, such as closing the curtains or turning on a fan when the room reaches a certain temperature.
With Siri, customers can control a single device hands-free, or create scenarios such as having multiple smart home devices start working at the same time in the morning, or set up recurring automation such as “Hey Siri, open the curtains at sunrise every morning. When users use Siri to control accessories such as the heater that can’t be distinguished by the naked eye, or to control accessories located in different rooms, HomePod will emit a new confirmation sound. Remastered ambient sounds such as the ocean, forest, and rain will be further integrated into the experience, allowing customers to add new sounds to scenes, automation, and alerts.
Users can also intuitively control, view and manage accessories in the redesigned Home App. The Home App offers new categories such as “Environment,” “Lights” and “Security” and provides a new multi-camera view that allows users to easily set up and control their smart homes.
HomePod’s Find My integration also allows users to ask Siri for the location of friends and family.
Tuning optimizations improve the clarity of voice content such as podcasts and audiobooks, and on the first-generation HomePod, volume controls have been updated to allow for finer adjustments at lower volumes.
The full release notes for Apple’s update are below.
HomePod Software v16.3 includes support for new HomePod features. This update also includes bug fixes and stability enhancements.
- Temperature and humidity sensing to measure indoor environments with HomePod (2nd generation) and HomePod mini
- Re-recorded ambient sounds are more immersive and can now be added to scenes, automation and alarms in the Home app
- Find on HomePod now lets you ask Siri for your friends and family’s location if they share it with you
- Set up recurring home automation using just your voice
- For accessories where changes may not be visible or located in other rooms, Siri confirmation tones now play to indicate that the smart home request has been completed
- Tuned to optimize read-aloud content, such as podcasts, so that content sounds clearer on HomePod (2nd generation) and HomePod (1st generation)
- Updated volume controls on HomePod (Gen 1) allow you to fine-tune lower volumes
The HomePod software is automatically installed on HomePod unless the feature is disabled, but users can also update HomePod manually in the Home app.
