Apple Expanding Sound Recognition Feature to New HomePod and HomePod Mini With Software Update Later This Year

[kingtj1971]

That’s a great idea, can see this being super useful.

It's a good idea, but stolen from Amazon's Alexa. They already offered this a year ago.

 

[visualseed]

At least I'll know when dinner is almost ready and I should come home.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

That's incredibly stupid.

Alarms that are actually connected to alerting systems have existed for many, many years. Having a "smart" speaker listen for alarms is going to be unreliable.

 

[visualseed]

It's a good idea, but stolen from Amazon's Alexa. They already offered this a year ago.

Stolen? Isn't this kind of a feature we should expect like seatbelts in cars?

 

[visualseed]

That's incredibly stupid.

Alarms that are actually connected to alerting systems have existed for many, many years. Having a "smart" speaker listen for alarms is going to be unreliable.

I'd wager 99% of smoke detectors only have audible alarms and a lot of people quit paying for monitoring on their home security systems after the initial promo expires in 6 months or a year.

 

[fatTribble]

What a great feature! Let’s hope the new home architecture allows an ever expanding feature set like this

 

[ProfessionalFan]

That's incredibly stupid.

Alarms that are actually connected to alerting systems have existed for many, many years. Having a "smart" speaker listen for alarms is going to be unreliable.

It doesn't replace the existing system, it is just an addition.

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

Apple says Sound Recognition will be available on both the new HomePod and the existing HomePod mini in a software update that will be released "later this spring,"...

And THAT'S how they push you to upgrade 😂

 

[nutmac]

Other features in iOS 16 that Apple should migrate over to HomePods:

• On-device Siri
• More capable Siri knowledge response, instead of "try it on iPhone" response
• HealthKit Sleep integration

 

[Ghost31]

Like when my Robot vac crashes into half the stuff in my house in the most violent ways?

Lamp falls over.

Hey Siri.

Imagine it calls 911 and paramedics come rescue your HomePod on the floor

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Imagine it calls 911 and paramedics come rescue your HomePod on the floor

Imagine if your dog or cat knocks the HomePod on the floor. Apple needs to perform all the testing it needs before it can push out the sound recognition. Also, add the Anti-Theft Alarm sound recognition.

 

[Orionfox]

I am in a very small 1 bedroom apt and have disconnected 2 of the 3 fire alarms because simply turning on a burner on the stove or using the air fryer (no burning nor smoke) I enough to set off the alarms.

Yes I really need another annoying false notification that a machine thinks something is wrong when it isn't

 

[miabadboys]

So basically for the same $299 price, Apple is using the same old shell and most of the old components inside except for a "new" S7 processor. Some nice new features but I feel price was a limiting factor for sales.
That being said, due their excellent sound, I have 2 of the original HomePods and will probably get another 😂😂

 

[foobarbaz]

That's incredibly stupid.

Alarms that are actually connected to alerting systems have existed for many, many years. Having a "smart" speaker listen for alarms is going to be unreliable.

You mean they've existed on the market. They don't exist in my home and won't the next time I need to replace mine (every 10 years), precisely because I don't trust a smart device for life-saving tasks. I'll get the simplest, most reliable, least software-driven one to wake me in an emergency.

I also wouldn't pay 5x as much for notification functionality I don't need. But now I get it for free. Who cares if it's not 100% reliable. I'll probably never, ever need it and nobody's life depends on (it in my case).

So what's stupid about it? I see only benefits and zero downside.

 

[I7guy]

Clearly shows the hype vs reality of the smart speaker and the not so smart speaker. One software or hardware update and the expensive smart speaker end of life near. Happening all over the technology world we live in. The TV once lasted 10 plus years. The wired speakers properly taken care of could easily outlive us. The home phone lasted decades. As long as we are willing to keep buying new electronics every couple years, the manufacturers will be most helpful in taking our money.

The reality is not so smart speakers can't detect smoke alarms etc. Although like other electronic gadgets these things will at some point not get any updates, but as long as the hardware is good, should function as intended as of the last update.

 

[siddavis]

Stolen? Isn't this kind of a feature we should expect like seatbelts in cars?

Sure. Now if only HomePod could steal the nuuuuumerous other features that Echos have, I might be able to convince the fam to rid our house of the spyware.

 

[Pianoplayah]

Apple warns that the feature should not be relied upon "in circumstances where users may be harmed or injured," or in "high-risk or emergency situations."

Damage control right there. However I fully understand just gives an aftertaste after Emergency SOS and that the feature is not released during release.

Somehow this is just an Apple Watch S7 in a cheaper housing.😂😂

Yes, I am unclear what use that feature would be in a non-emergency situation lol

 

[Pianoplayah]

I don’t know how to delete this comment 😂

 

[Pianoplayah]

It'll be interesting when someone's using these as their sound system and a smoke alarm goes off in the movie they're watching.

no worse than when my dogs hear a doorbell in the movie I’m watching.

 

[goobot]

I’m sure the og homepod with more mics won’t get this feature

 

[currentinterest]

Siri works very well in our house. We have multiple HomePods and rely on Siri for a range of useful automations, timers, reminders, phone calls, and information. I recently read an independent objective study that showed Google Assistant barely edging out Siri for best Smart Assistant with Alexia a distant third. This has been my sons’ experience as well who have tried both. I understand that Apple is working on alternatives to “Hey Siri” which would be a welcome improvement, however.

 

[npmacuser5]

The reality is not so smart speakers can't detect smoke alarms etc. Although like other electronic gadgets these things will at some point not get any updates, but as long as the hardware is good, should function as intended as of the last update.

My concern with anything on my network, updates or it goes in the trash. Today, all these devices without updates are going to be a hackers dream come true.

 

[Black.Infinity]

I hate that when I have my iPhone, iPad and Home Pod mini in the same room. When you say “Hey Siri” You can’t control which device to respond.

 

[volcanic]

It's a good idea, but stolen from Amazon's Alexa. They already offered this a year ago.

Nope, Amazon stole it from Leeo, and Leeo then went out of business.

 

[joecomo]

Couldn't resist and bought a pair