Apple may have released a new HomePod speaker this week, but existing owners don’t get the silent treatment.
In the HomePod software version 16.3 update, Apple is adding several features for the original HomePod and HomePod mini, as well as the second-generation model that will arrive in early February. Not since version 14.1, which added Intercom and several new Siri features, has the HomePod received so many new features in a single update.
Notably, HomePod 16.3 will activate the temperature and humidity sensor on HomePod mini to measure the room’s climate. The inactive sensor was discovered on the HomePod mini during teardowns, but it took Apple over two years to do anything with it.
Additionally, the update contains the following new features:
- Remastered ambient sounds are more immersive and can now be added to scenes, automations, and alarms in the Home app.
- Find My on HomePod now lets you ask Siri for the location of friends and family, if they’ve shared it with you.
- Recurring home automations can be set up using just your voice.
- Siri’s confirmation tone will now play to indicate when smart home requests for accessories that may not visibly display a change or are located in a different room have been completed.
- Audio tuning optimizes spoken content, like podcasts, for even greater clarity on HomePod (2nd Gen) and HomePod (1st Gen).
- Updated volume controls on HomePod (1st generation) give you more granular adjustments at lower volumes.
The HomePod update will arrive next week alongside iOS 16.3, more like Tuesday or Wednesday. To update your HomePod, go to the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, then startup settingsand finally Software update. If the HomePod 16.3 update is available, tap To update and follow the directions. Once the update begins, a rotating white light will appear on top of your HomePod or HomePod mini until the update has finished installing.
