How HomePods recognize smoke alarms, MagSafe car chargers, and more smart home news

On the 150th episode of the Homekit Insider podcast, your hosts talk about HomePod's new smoke-detecting feature, answer a listener question and more.

This week, Apple pushed a server-side update that enabled sound recognition for HomePod and HomePod mini. This allows both of Apple's smart speakers to identify smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and promptly send you an alert.

Aqara also released its long-awaited FP2 occupancy sensor — not a regular motion sensor, but one that detects the presence of a person whether they're moving around or not. This is the only presence or occupancy sensor for Apple HomeKit, so far at least, and your hosts gave their first impressions.

Next, Google-owned Nest started supporting Matter this week which marks the first time a Nest thermostat will work natively with Apple Home. The latest-generation Nest thermostats — but only the latest — will show in the Home app and be controllable like any HomeKit-certified thermostat.

Finally, we go hands-on with two new MagSafe car chargers and answer a listener's question on how to prevent smart video doorbell theft.

Links from the show

• Home Intercom Shortcut!
• 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Uconnect 5 review: Finally wireless CarPlay
• HomePod Could Save Your Life! How to Detect Smoke & CO Alerts with Sound Recognition! - YouTube
• Apple turns on HomePod's smoke alarm recognition
• One Nest thermostat is finally getting Matter, others aren't
• Velox Series for MagSafe Compatible iPhones - iOttie
• Aqara Presence Sensor FP2
• Netatmo Weather Station, Rain Gauge

Subscribe and listen to our AppleInsider Daily podcast for the latest Apple news Monday through Friday. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: andrew@appleinsider.com

Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast — and get a fast news update from AppleInsider Daily. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too. If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player.