The Homepod update was also released today. I really need to learn everything a Homepod can do. I still don't understand why a speaker would need updates. It says temperature and humidity sensing (only on the second generation) but why would a speaker need to sense temperature. They're worried it might get too hot?
The problem is you’re thinking of it as a speaker. Don’t do that. Think of it as an audio-focused computer. It‘s a computer that communicates by speaker and microphone, rather than having a screen and a keyboard. It’s also focused on home automation. I have a couple of HomePod minis, in different rooms. If they ever end up playing music, it’s because they misunderstood a command. I never ask them to play music (I ask my Sonos system to do that). I ask them to control the lights in my home. I ask them what the temperature is outside, or for the forecast (here, or where I’m going). I ask them to set timers or alarms. I ask them to add reminders or events.
The thermometer/humidity sensor was put there for future use (it only added a few cents to the cost) - and that future has arrived. You can now ask the HomePod what the current temperature is in the room you’re in. But it gets more interesting if, say, you have HomePods scattered around your house - you can ask the nearby HomePod what the temperature is in the bedroom, for instance. And with HomeKit automation, you can set up automations like, “turn on the fan in the bedroom if anyone is home and the temperature in there reaches 80°F”. (I’m actually really looking forward to having HomeKit access to the thermometers.)
I know it will never happen (especially on the old Homepod) but I would just love to see the Apple TV and Homepod communicate with each other like they are one unit. There should be a home app on the Apple TV, but maybe there should be like a HomePod app as well for things like Timers or siri, or something else.
More integration would be great, but there already is some support - hold down the TV button on the Apple TV remote to bring up the sidebar, and move down to and select the Home icon. You’ll find displays from any HomeKit-enabled cameras you have, as well as buttons for activating HomeKit scenes. And, as mentioned above, the HomePod can already do timers and such, and both take Siri commands. I don’t really see a benefit to putting, say, timer support on the Apple TV itself.
