How to Use Your HomePod as a Speakerphone

[MacRumors]

Apple's HomePod smart speaker is primarily geared towards playing songs from the Apple Music catalog and listening to music and podcasts in your iTunes library, but it also features a handy speakerphone function that's ready to use out of the box.

The speakerphone feature is available on both the HomePod mini and larger HomePod, but it works best with the latter device since it has a multi-microphone array, which features an advanced echo cancellation system so that Siri can understand anyone speaking to it in the room.

This also means that anyone in your household on the same local network can easily hand off calls to the HomePod from a nearby iPhone, with the HomePod able to serve as both a speaker and a microphone for a handsfree conversation, regardless of their position in relation to the device. Here's how it's done.
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Article Link: How to Use Your HomePod as a Speakerphone

 

[dan9700]

But why cant we say hey siri call.... Handfree calling such a simple thing cant be done?

 

[Nozuka]

This is a first generation product. Like with every other first gen apple product, it is incomplete and will get better with updates.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Seems like that is how it would work on a non-Apple device. The point of Apple products -- to me at least, and why I've been attracted to them is that they are designed to simplify annoying tasks.

I can say "hey Siri -- call X" on my iDevices and done. I can press the Siri button on my Mac and do the same (actually configured the work around "hey Siri" command on my Mac but obviously that's not standard). So it's just one more Siri does this on that product, but not on that product. Why? If anything HomePod is ideal as a voice command speaker phone. Clearly Siri CAN do this.
[doublepost=1518179215][/doublepost]

This is a first generation product. Like with every other first gen apple product, it is incomplete and will get better with updates.

Bah. That's enabler talk. This isn't Apple's first Siri rodeo. Siri has been out longer than Jobs has been dead. Every previous Apple product with Siri has had a chip and at least one speaker. And smart speakers have been out for years. Apple supposedly took it's time to "get it right." OK. Then the features should be there. There really is no excuse here regarding hands-free calling with Siri.

 

[Nozuka]

Bah. That's enabler talk. This isn't Apple's first Siri rodeo. Siri has been out longer than Jobs has been dead. Every previous Apple product with Siri has had a chip and at least one speaker. And smart speakers have been out for years. Apple supposedly took it's time to "get it right." OK. Then the features should be there. There really is no excuse here regarding hands-free calling with Siri.

They don't need an excuse. They just want to make money and people seem to buy their first gen products, because they just can't wait.

and there's a reason they are not promoting the "smart" part of the speaker that much yet..

And sadly none of the available Voice Assistants work well enough for me to use them daily. I just get annoyed by them, because there are not smart at all. But Siri is definitely one of the worst and doesn't seem to improve at all..

 

[Chupa Chupa]

They don't need an excuse. They just want to make money and people seem to buy their first gen products, because they just can't wait.

and there's a reason they are not promoting the "smart" part of the speaker that much yet..

And sadly none of the available Voice Assistants work well enough for me to use them daily. I just get annoyed by them, because there are not smart at all. But Siri is definitely one of the worst and doesn't seem to improve at all..

Yes, but you make my point. Apple waited this long to come out with a half-baked product? If it was on purpose to leave room for v2 they are not the innovators they get credit for being because Siri isn't new. Using HomePod as a hands-free speaker phone should be a v1 feature. It's basic and something all of Apple's other Siri hardware products already do.

 

[BvizioN]

This is a first generation product. Like with every other first gen apple product, it is incomplete

What product is complete if we talk about technology? None! As technology advances, things do get added and stuff gets improved. It never ends! I personally don't buy the "first generation" argument at all! Buy what you like, when you like. If you wait for a future stuff to get better then the current, you will always be waiting.

 

[Mtmspa]

Here is the required Siri sucks, Alexa is better, no native Spotify support, late to the game, an echodot is cheaper, do not want post.

Please repost this every other post in every HomePod thread.

 

[freezah]

I own almost every type of Apple device but won’t buy HomePod until it will natively support Spotify.

 

[Mtmspa]

I own almost every type of Apple device but won’t buy HomePod until it will natively support Spotify.

Good job.

 

[Nozuka]

Yes, but you make my point. Apple waited this long to come out with a half-baked product? If it was on purpose to leave room for v2 they are not the innovators they get credit for being because Siri isn't new. Using HomePod as a hands-free speaker phone should be a v1 feature. It's basic and something all of Apple's other Siri hardware products already do.

They can add it with a software update.

And you can use it as a hands-free speaker. Siri is just too stupid to help you with it

 

[danmart]

I can say "hey Siri -- call X" on my iDevices and done. I can press the Siri button on my Mac and do the same (actually configured the work around "hey Siri" command on my Mac but obviously that's not standard). So it's just one more Siri does this on that product, but not on that product. Why?

Because, as the article says, you can use any iPhone on your WiFi network with the HomePod. If my wife and I are both home and we initiate a call from the HomePod, which iPhone would dial out? Many of my friends have iPhones and have access to my WiFi, so in a gathering context the effect would be even worse.

Apple hasn’t cracked multi-user on iOS yet. Even on the AppleTV, which has warranted multi-user for some time, there isn’t the option to have multiple users associated with it.

Other vendors have solved the multi-ID challenge as their voice assistants can differentiate between users.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Here is the required Siri sucks, Alexa is better, no native Spotify support, late to the game, an echodot is cheaper, do not want post.

Please repost this every other post in every HomePod thread.

I think that is an easy excuse to dismiss those who cite genuine issues with either Siri or Siri integration. I'm all on board with Siri and have lots of Homekit in my house -- thermostat, lightbulbs, wired light switches, door locks.

While I understand why Spotify isn't supported, it's hard for me to grasp why hands-free calling isn't supported since that would just link up with an iPhone. I mean my Mac can do that. My Apple Watch can do that. But HomePod can't? Huh? What makes more sense to you being able to ask Siri to make a call on AW or HomePod? Now tell us we are trolls or haters for thinking HomePod wins in a HomePod vs AW match up for more comfortable way to have a phone conversation. If you are going to call those of us that think HP would be superior a troll or hater for that then ease up on the Kool-Aid.
[doublepost=1518183527][/doublepost]

Because, as the article says, you can use any iPhone on your WiFi network with the HomePod. If my wife and I are both home and we initiate a call from the HomePod, which iPhone would dial out? Many of my friends have iPhones and have access to my WiFi, so in a gathering context the effect would be even worse.

Apple hasn’t cracked multi-user on iOS yet. Even on the AppleTV, which has warranted multi-user for some time, there isn’t the option to have multiple users associated with it.

Other vendors have solved the multi-ID challenge as their voice assistants can differentiate between users.

Again, more apologizing for Apple. I get multi-user isn't perfected. Not my argument here. What I'm saying is that there is ZERO way to make a hands-free Siri phone call unlike other Siri Apple products. It's not even an opt-in option like many of the "Accessibility" features in OS X and IOS. Apple could have built the feature in, turned it off by default and then let the user turn it on if desired. Apple does this with many features. Why not here?
[doublepost=1518183716][/doublepost]

They can add it with a software update.

And you can use it as a hands-free speaker. Siri is just too stupid to help you with it

Right, but I specifically said hands-free Siri speaker. Obviously every speakerphone is hand-free. It's the Siri part I'm focusing on. And yes, Siri is smart enough to handle that. As I mentioned it's something it can do in every other Siri product -- iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, & Mac.

 

[Kaibelf]

Because, as the article says, you can use any iPhone on your WiFi network with the HomePod. If my wife and I are both home and we initiate a call from the HomePod, which iPhone would dial out? Many of my friends have iPhones and have access to my WiFi, so in a gathering context the effect would be even worse.

Apple hasn’t cracked multi-user on iOS yet. Even on the AppleTV, which has warranted multi-user for some time, there isn’t the option to have multiple users associated with it.

Other vendors have solved the multi-ID challenge as their voice assistants can differentiate between users.

THIS. And of course someone will chime in with the whole “Siri can tell a husband and wife apart” line, so I’ll pre-rebut wth “think about two men or women who are married, or siblings, or roommates of the same gender.” Just too many variables to have open speakerphone functionality with a house that likely includes several iOS users on one network.

 

[B.A.T]

I hope handing off calls works better on this than it does on my iMac and iPad.

 

[G5isAlive]

Because, as the article says, you can use any iPhone on your WiFi network with the HomePod. If my wife and I are both home and we initiate a call from the HomePod, which iPhone would dial out? Many of my friends have iPhones and have access to my WiFi, so in a gathering context the effect would be even worse.

Apple hasn’t cracked multi-user on iOS yet. Even on the AppleTV, which has warranted multi-user for some time, there isn’t the option to have multiple users associated with it.

Other vendors have solved the multi-ID challenge as their voice assistants can differentiate between users.

Nailed it. It’s also a security risk. I leave my locked phone on the table near the speaker .. someone walks up and says ‘hey Siri call...’ and now they are in my phone. The Apple Watch and Mac have passwords to protect this.. the HomePod does not
[doublepost=1518185016][/doublepost]

I think that is an easy excuse to dismiss those who cite genuine issues with either Siri or Siri integration. I'm all on board with Siri and have lots of Homekit in my house -- thermostat, lightbulbs, wired light switches, door locks.

While I understand why Spotify isn't supported, it's hard for me to grasp why hands-free calling isn't supported since that would just link up with an iPhone. I mean my Mac can do that. My Apple Watch can do that. But HomePod can't? Huh? What makes more sense to you being able to ask Siri to make a call on AW or HomePod? Now tell us we are trolls or haters for thinking HomePod wins in a HomePod vs AW match up for more comfortable way to have a phone conversation. If you are going to call those of us that think HP would be superior a troll or hater for that then ease up on the Kool-Aid.
[doublepost=1518183527][/doublepost]

Again, more apologizing for Apple. I get multi-user isn't perfected. Not my argument here. What I'm saying is that there is ZERO way to make a hands-free Siri phone call unlike other Siri Apple products. It's not even an opt-in option like many of the "Accessibility" features in OS X and IOS. Apple could have built the feature in, turned it off by default and then let the user turn it on if desired. Apple does this with many features. Why not here?
[doublepost=1518183716][/doublepost]

Right, but I specifically said hands-free Siri speaker. Obviously every speakerphone is hand-free. It's the Siri part I'm focusing on. And yes, Siri is smart enough to handle that. As I mentioned it's something it can do in every other Siri product -- iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, & Mac.

Those products all have passcodes that identity you as you. The HomePod does not. So in your request anyone could use the HomePod to make a call from your phone.

 

[lparsons21]

THIS. And of course someone will chime in with the whole “Siri can tell a husband and wife apart” line, so I’ll pre-rebut wth “think about two men or women who are married, or siblings, or roommates of the same gender.” Just too many variables to have open speakerphone functionality with a house that likely includes several iOS users on one network.

And yet I can do that with both Google Home and Echo products.

 

[G5isAlive]

And yet I can do that with both Google Home and Echo products.

So use them

 

[lparsons21]

So use them

I do, but don't need your permission.
I like the idea of HomePod, just not the current implementation. When/if it becomes a better smart speaker and has smaller, less expensive versions for other rooms, I'll be revisiting getting a few.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Nailed it. It’s also a security risk. I leave my locked phone on the table near the speaker .. someone walks up and says ‘hey Siri call...’ and now they are in my phone. The Apple Watch and Mac have passwords to protect this.. the HomePod does not

I can't say how your iPhone works, but I can say "Hey Sir, call XYZ" and my locked iPhone or iPad makes the call. Also, whatever stranger is trying to make a call on your HomePod with your iPhone would have to know who is in your contacts and how you entered them. And if a friend tried that anyway well, if one of my friends tried that they wouldn't be my friend any longer. I don't need friends I can't trust. And last, if you have your HomePod set up in a more public area like an office, then, yes, Apple should have a toggle for it. It should be opt-in, not opt-out.

 

[loveios]

But why cant we say hey siri call.... Handfree calling such a simple thing cant be done?

Because they concerned about user’s privacy

 

[RagingBrosGaming]

Just received my HomePod this morning. It sounds amazing, way better than any other smart speaker I’ve ever heard. Honestly who gives a rats butt about Crapify? Only hip hop and maybe some indie trendy hipsters do. Apple Music is where it’s at.
When answering calls on the HomePod...it’s fantastic. It sounds like the person is in the room with me(you can only get this kind of quality when using FaceTime Audio) cellular sound..is well...pretty tinny sounding.
Anyways, this HomePod has better bass and clarity then my Dolby Atmos surround system. Apple did it right!! This thing figured out your environment and I have music bouncing off the walls, over my head...coming through the floor.
I reset my echos and echo show and unplugged them and I’m selling them.
This is the greatest product Apple has released since the iPhone.

For those of you who call the iPhone Ten the iPhone EX....here’s my middle finger. I’m going to play my Xbox One TEN now and then I’ll use some Mac OS EX.

 

[danmart]

Again, more apologizing for Apple.

I don’t see how I am apologising for Apple when I point out other people have cracked an issue that they haven’t?

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I don’t see how I am apologising for Apple when I point out other people have cracked an issue that they haven’t?

I'm not excluding anyone else making the same point as you on this issue.

 

[ignatius345]

Honestly who gives a rats butt about Crapify? Only hip hop and maybe some indie trendy hipsters do. Apple Music is where it’s at.

Thanks Dad.