Apple HomePod generates tones for device pairing, setup

When Apple's HomePod launches later this year, users will be able to take advantage of an automated pairing and setup process triggered by a special tone generated by the speaker and subsequently detected by a host iPhone.

A screenshot buried in Apple's latest iOS 11 beta release, discovered by developer Guilherme Rambo on Saturday, hints at the forthcoming HomePod feature.

As with other connected Apple accessories, like Apple Watch and AirPods, it appears HomePod will sport multiple methods of pairing.

Apple Watch, for example, uses an image-based pairing technique in which Watch displays a dynamic "particle cloud" visualization for detection via a host iPhone's camera. If the automated system fails, the device falls back to a manual configuration process.

Once paired, a connected iPhone handles iCloud account authentication, hardware setup and other functions that benefit from a full onscreen keyboard.

HomePod was expected to take advantage of a similar setup procedure. Earlier this month, code unearthed in a prior iOS 11 beta version suggested HomePod's Siri assistant will read out a four-digit authentication and pairing code, which users input into their iPhone. From there, the setup process, including sign-ins for Apple ID, Apple Music and more, is offloaded to iPhone.

In essence, the HomePod tone generation function hinted at in today's screenshot is an audio version of Apple Watch's particle cloud feature that could fit into the setup process by triggering the previously uncovered Siri-based authentication process. Alternatively, the Siri readout might be part of a manual setup procedure.

Apple announced HomePod at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June as the company's answer to in-home virtual assistant devices like Amazon's Echo and Google Home. The speaker is scheduled for release in December.

12 Comments

mattinoz 2473 comments · 9 Years

About 7 years ago

I'm guess the tones are also part of the audio sensing that tunes the device to the room.

macky the macky 4801 comments · 15 Years

mattinoz said:

I'm guess the tones are also part of the audio sensing that tunes the device to the room.

Could be, but then they only be tones sent on wifi...

wigby 692 comments · 15 Years

mattinoz said:

I'm guess the tones are also part of the audio sensing that tunes the device to the room.

Not sure why you're connecting setup tones to HomePod's dynamic room sensing capabilities. Since HomePod has no Bluetooth pairing capabilties, it'll need some user friendly methods to connect users' iCloud accounts to the speaker. I suppose they could just use airplay but since HomePod works with airplay 2, they might need to include alternate pairing methods for iOS 10 and older users.

HomePod is using an A10 processor so it dynamically adjusts all audio to the room's sonic "blueprint" in realtime. No need for audio chirps to setup playback EQ like on less advanced speakers and amplifiers.

macseeker 541 comments · 8 Years

If one uses two HomePods in the same room, can they be set up as a stereo pair (i.e. left and right speakers)?

Soli 9981 comments · 9 Years

macseeker said:

If one uses two HomePods in the same room, can they be set up as a stereo pair (i.e. left and right speakers)?

I believe that was mentioned during the presentation.