Apple HomePods can send notifications when a smoke detector goes off

Apple is releasing a sound recognition feature for its second-generation HomePod and the HomePod Mini on Tuesday. This allows the smart speakers to recognize the sound of a smoke or carbon monoxide detector and send a notification to users if it goes off.

Apple announced the feature in January when introducing its second generation HomePod. However, the tech giant made the feature officially available on Tuesday, reports TechCrunch. The feature will therefore be available in the Home app for users with a HomePod Mini or second generation HomePod. Users must have the new HomeKit architecture set up in iOS 16.4 to use the feature.

When the feature is enabled, a notification is automatically sent to an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch when a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector goes off. That notification must then be visible, for example, on the lock screen of an iPhone and in the Home App. The feature works based on sound and therefore does not require a smart smoke detector to send the notification. The HomePods themselves cannot recognize smoke or carbon monoxide.

If users have paired a security camera with HomeKit, a video feed will also be shown on the user’s device. Apple says the feature uses end-to-end encryption and the sound recognition is done locally on the speaker.

Amazon previously introduced a similar feature for its Echo speakers, in the form of Alexa Guard. This feature can recognize, among other things, the sound of breaking glass, in addition to that of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Google Nest speakers can also listen to such alarms, although this requires users to sign up for a Nest Aware subscription. writes The Verge.

The second generation HomePod, which Apple released in January. Source: Apple