Apple Releases New Software for HomePod Alongside iOS 13.2 With Handoff, Voice Detection for Different Family Members and Ambient Sounds

[MacRumors]

Alongside of the release of iOS 13.2, a major new update that introduces a long list of new features and changes, Apple has also debuted a new software update that's designed for the HomePod.

The new HomePod software will be installed automatically on the HomePod after you update to iOS 13.2, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following the instructions in our HomePod software how to.

After installing the software update, the HomePod will be able to distinguish between different voices for the first time. That means Siri is able to recognize the voices of everyone in the family, which will allow each person in the home to listen to their own music, playlists, radio stations, and more.

HomePod now supports Handoff, so you can hand off music, phone calls, and podcasts from the iPhone to the HomePod and vice versa. If you come home from work, for example, and are listening to music on the iPhone, you can beam it right over to the HomePod so you can continue listening without missing a beat. You can also add music to your HomeKit scenes after upgrading to iOS 13.2.

The new software brings a new Ambient Sounds feature that lets you play relaxing soundtracks like rain falling, nature sounds, white noise, and more, plus you can set sleep timers to fall asleep to these new Ambient Sounds or to music.

iOS 13.2 provides support for new HomePod features:

- The ability for HomePod to recognize the voices of different family members to provide a personalized experience
- Handoff music, podcasts, or phone calls by bringing your iPhone close to HomePod
- Add music to your HomeKit scenes
- Play relaxing high-quality soundtracks with Ambient Sounds
- Set sleep timers to fall asleep to music or Ambient Sounds

For more on the HomePod, make sure to check out our HomePod roundup.

Article Link: Apple Releases New Software for HomePod Alongside iOS 13.2 With Handoff, Voice Detection for Different Family Members and Ambient Sounds

 

[Defender2010]

Finally. So excited to try the new features.

 

[smartbot]

Finally! I was wondering when they were going to release this...

 

[solace]

Can you still not adjust the bass level?

 

[Fireproof!]

Voice detection - finally! This will be really handy for us.

 

[iOS Geek]

Finally! I've been looking forward to this one!!!

 

[zaneliu]

Surprise sleep timer for music is a fantastic addition. Been waiting on this forever!

 

[digduggler]

Soooo...how do you customize this for family members? I don't see much out there.

 

[TwoBytes]

So where is the list of ambient sounds to choose from?

 

[penajmz]

Was waiting for this one for a while. Yay! Can’t wait to get home to try them out.

 

[iOS Geek]

So where is the list of ambient sounds to choose from?

I think it would be a good idea to have one as well. So far, I tested out Rain and I'm listening to Ocean Waves right now. Love it already! Definitely curious about how many there actually are.

 

[chrisdazzo]

Finally! Maybe Homepod Siri will finally recognize all those randomly-selected Homekit (Hue) devices that my Watch and iPhone turn on and off all the time... because she doesn't now!

Update: seems to have fixed the Homekit (Hue) device issues.

 

[Diatribe]

Does it recognize different languages as well or is it just in the one language it is set to?

 

[WiiDSmoker]

I think it would be a good idea to have one as well. So far, I tested out Rain and I'm listening to Ocean Waves right now. Love it already! Definitely curious about how many there actually are.

how do you do this?

 

[iOS Geek]

how do you do this?

I asked Siri to "play the sounds of ______" and she responds with "here's _____ from ambient sounds". In addition to the two I mentioned before, I am now listening to "Forest". Those are the only three that I know the official names of, as those are the three mentioned on Apple's site. But the site also said "and more". Just have yet to figure those out!

 

[OneInfiniteLooper]

I’ve been waiting for this and have been excited. Most anticipated is handoff to HomePod. I know I could just use the UI to do it, but the ability to just walk past my HomePods, hold my phone up and continue my podcast/music is amazing. Voice recognition will also be a nice touch, and raise the roof for that sleep timer!

 

[decypher44]

Finally! Sleep timer!!!

 

[Chris The Bipolarbear]

About time

 

[keys]

These are all that I have found by playing one and then asking Siri to play the next one.
Ambient sounds: night, white noise, ocean, forest, fireplace, rain, stream

 

[TheRedOx]

I still have no idea how my HomePod works and at this point I'm afraid to ask. It sounds great and works nicely when I throw music to it via Airplay but, other than that, I have no idea how to use it or what else I can do with it.

 

[jancz]

Anyone able to find out how to play the ambient sounds after the update? No luck for me, also with unable to find the voice recognition and Hand Off in settings. Sleep timer works just fine.

 

[hrefman]

Came across these when tapping currently playing track, can’t seem to find an official playlist.

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I’ve been waiting for this and have been excited. Most anticipated is handoff to HomePod. I know I could just use the UI to do it, but the ability to just walk past my HomePods, hold my phone up and continue my podcast/music is amazing. Voice recognition will also be a nice touch, and raise the roof for that sleep timer!

I’ve found it’s not easy as passing by, I had to physically hold my iPhone on top of the HomePod.

 

[Fireproof!]

So I had previously disabled "update listening history" since me, wife, and 2 daughters were all telling the HomePod to play music. I didn't want their choices to affect my music recommendations, etc.

But it sounds like I can now ENABLE that once we set up our HomePods to detect each of our voices.

Am I thinking correctly?

 

[chabig]

Was playing music on iPhone. Asked Siri to “send this to my HomePod” and it seamlessly switched. Neat.

 

[penajmz]

Was playing music on iPhone. Asked Siri to “send this to my HomePod” and it seamlessly switched. Neat.

You can also just tap the phone on the HomePod and it will hand it off presumably.