William Gallagher
Both the HomePod and HomePod mini can now recognize the sound of smoke alarms, and automatically send a notification alert to a user's iPhone.
Apple announced what it calls Sound Recognition in January, alongside the release of the revised HomePod. However, it required the use of the revamped HomeKit architecture, which it released in November 2022, then pulled in December.
Now the new HomeKit architecture has been released again with macOS Ventura 13.3 and iOS 16.4. It's not clear why Sound Recognition was not enabled when those OSes were released — or in fact whether it was — but the feature is now available.
It's intended to alert users when there is a fire, or at least smoke at home while they are away. The HomePod or HomePod mini are able to recognize the sound of a smoke or a carbon monoxide alarm, and this can then trigger sending the alert.
"Sound Recognition may detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds and send you notifications when recognized," says Apple in the specifications for the HomePod. "Sound Recognition should not be relied upon in circumstances where you may be harmed or injured, or in high-risk or emergency situations."
Neither the HomePod nor HomePod mini contain a smoke detector, so this is entirely based on sound — which means users have to have a smoke alarm for this to work. However, both models do have a built-in temperature sensor.
So in a fully-equipped smart home setting, a HomePod could hear the sound of an alarm and also register a rising temperature.
For the new Sound Recognition to work, not only must a user have a smoke alarm, but all of their Apple devices must be updated to the latest software.
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15 Comments
This is a great feature but also one that you hope you'll never have to use for an actual emergency.
This isn't the first listening device that can recognize the sound from smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms going off. The universal challenge with all of these devices is what do you do when the thing goes off? If the only indication is a notification to your phone and you don't have your phone or Apple Watch on you, the outcome could be pretty bad. In the case of CO alarms that are triggered while you are at home you may not have any detectable indications that something is wrong. You may be incapacitated before you can respond to a notification on your phone.
Some listeners like the one Ring sells automatically call the fire department when the listener device hears the smoke/CO alarm go off. These automated calls, unlike security alarms, are non-revokable. So if you overdo the microwave popcorn and the smoke alarm triggers, be prepared to greet the fire squad in a few minutes. Maybe make an extra unburned batch of popcorn to share with them. The Ring listener has the added "feature" of being active all of the time in every mode, with no bypass switch. Better keep that in mind if you want to test your smoke/CO detector, say after changing the main batteries or backup batteries.
Of course having first responders show up for false alarms is 1000% better than not having the extra protection that these listening devices can offer. But be prepared ahead of time. You have to at least do a mental walkthrough about how you are going to deal with the limitations of these devices, how you are going to respond when they go off while you are home, and how you are going to respond when they go off and you are away from home. You don't want to be trying to figure out this stuff the very first time the device gets triggered. For example, if you're away from home calling 911 from where you are is probably going to create a lot of confusion. You may want to have the phone numbers for the first responders in your home location very handy. Similar advanced preparation is required for security alarms, freeze/water leak detectors, etc.
~Alarm goes off~
Siri: Here’s what I found on the web for TWEEEEEEE……
Kidding!
"Apple turns on HomePod's smoke alarm recognition"...has anyone actually been able to turn it on?
Does it work with iOS16.4.1 or does it require iOS16.5, currently in beta?
There is not even a source for the info in the article!