Apple HomePods now offer an exciting new safety feature. As of last week, HomePod smart speakers can now listen for a smoke or CO detector alarm and alert users via their smartphones if a fire is detected.
The Sound Recognition feature is being rolled out on first and second-generation HomePods as well as the HomePod Mini and is showing to be one of, if not the, most affordable way to protect your home against fires without the need to purchase a smart smoke or carbon monoxide detector.
While these speakers can’t detect smoke or carbon monoxide itself, their sensitive speakers can pick up the sound of alarms when they go off. When the Sound Recognition detects the sound of an alarm, instantly you will be alerted to any dangers in your home as if you were there in person. It even has the capability to let you check in from your iPhone or iPad to hear for yourself.
As a bonus safety measure for those with HomeKit-compatible cameras in their homes, you will also be able to access a live, end-to-end encrypted video feed of each room you have a camera installed.
For the Sound Recognition feature to work, users will need to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors already installed. The HomePods do not replace the need for such safety measures, but they can greatly increase your chances of alerting 911 to an ongoing fire or prevent your family from returning home to a house filled with deadly carbon monoxide gas.
What’s unique about the Apple HomePods Sound Recognition feature is that users do not need to buy a smart smoke alarm or have an internet connection to use it. All you need is a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector, then enable the Home architecture on your Apple HomePods to activate the new Sound Detection feature.
You can buy the new HomePod with the Sound Recognition feature in the Apple Store online or through the app.