Announcing Im Going to Be a Mini Again

(Pocket-lint) - Got a HomePod or HomePod mini? Swell! Bated from saying "Hey Siri, play me some music", in that location is plenty more these smart speakers can do.

Here we've detailed a load of HomePod and HomePod mini tips and tricks to get you started and show you lot what your Apple smart speaker can exercise including, how to ensure it is upwards to date with the latest version of software and so you lot get all the latest features.

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HomePod and HomePod mini setup tips and tricks

How to set up upwardly HomePod and HomePod mini

The HomePod gear up is similar to setting up a pair of AirPods or Apple TV. You need to exist on the latest version of iOS and take your iOS device nigh the speaker when you lot do.

Turn on the HomePod or HomePod mini and await for the low-cal to glow on the top
Put your iPhone or iPad near the HomePod or HomePod mini
Tap Set Upwardly
Set which room the HomePod is going to exist
Choose whether or not to Enable Personal Requests. This is whether or not you want to be able to dictate text messages, add together reminders, or have notes via the smart speaker.
Hold to transfer your iCloud account, Wi-Fi and other HomeKit settings over to the speaker.
Say "Hey Siri, what can you exercise?" followed by "Hey Siri, play some music"

Best HomePod alternatives

How to update your HomePod

To update your HomePod to the latest version of iOS and ensure you lot benefit from whatsoever new features that appear, follow the steps below:

Open the Abode app on your iPhone or iPad
Tap the House icon in the upper left-paw corner
Tap 'Home Settings'
Scroll downwards and tap Software Update
Tap the 'Update (All)' button to brainstorm the update or pull down to see if in that location is one
Tap 'Hold' on the Terms and Conditions page.

Don't unplug the cable from the HomePod

Information technology might exist tempting if you are trying to get the cable down the dorsum of a sideboard, or through a hole, but while possible, information technology'due south not recommended to pull the plug out of the back of the HomePod or HomePod mini. According to internal support documents, uncovered by MacRumours, whipping out the cable to get the cable through a desk-bound hole or behind the back of something isn't recommended:

"The HomePod includes a built-in ability cable that should not be removed. In the rare instance that the cablevision is detached or damaged, practice not endeavor to remove or plug it back into HomePod. If the cable is removed or impaired, damage could have occurred to the cable or the internal components of HomePod."

Continue with caution.

If your HomePod doesn't audio correct, pick it up

The HomePod and HomePod mini both feature an accelerometer that detects when the speaker has been moved so it can automatically whizz through the sound setup procedure again.

If for some reason you aren't happy with the audio your speaker is creating, pick up the HomePod or HomePod mini, lift it in the air, and replace information technology where you lot want the speaker to go. This should automatically force the speaker to calibrate the sound once again - something that takes seconds, and the audio should be improved. The chances are though, that y'all should never have to worry about doing this.

How to create a HomePod or HomePod mini stereo pair

If you have two HomePods or two HomePod minis, you lot tin create a stereo pair. We've got a full characteristic on this, merely in a nutshell, follow the instructions beneath:

Make certain your HomePods or HomePod minis are running iOS eleven.iv or after.
Open up the Domicile app on your iPhone or iPad.
Touch and agree a HomePod in the list.
Scroll down and tap on the Settings cog.
Tap 'Create Stereo Pair'.
Follow the onscreen instructions, such as selecting which will be left and right.

Use your HomePod or HomePod mini equally a speaker for Apple TV 4K

If you accept the Apple Television 4K, you lot can utilize your HomePod and HomePod mini equally the default speaker, which is bully if you don't take a soundbar and your TV sound isn't brilliant. Nosotros've got a separate feature on this, but here are the bones instructions:

Using your Apple Tv

Head to Settings on your Apple tree TV card
Select Video and Audio
Select Default Sound Output
Your HomePod mini should announced on the list, allowing you to select it.

Using your iPhone or iPad

If you lot want to connect your HomePod mini to your Apple Tv set using your iPhone or iPad, you'll beginning demand to open the Home app. You'll so need to make certain your HomePod mini and your Apple tree Idiot box are linked to the aforementioned room.

Open up the Home app
Make certain your HomePod or HomePod mini and your Apple TV are linked to the aforementioned room
Impact and agree the Apple Tv tile
Scroll down to the settings cog in the bottom correct corner
Tap on Default Audio Option
Select the room with your HomePod or HomePod mini in it.

HomePod music tricks and tips

There are a number of ways you can command music playback on the HomePod. Either via voice commands to Siri, through the touch panel on the top of the speaker, or via the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad.

HomePod affect controls

You tin tap the top of HomePod or HomePod mini to play, pause, skip a vocal, or adjust the volume. Touch and hold the top to talk to Siri.

Tap once to Play/Suspension
Double-tap to skip to the side by side track
Triple tap to skip dorsum to the previous track
Touch and hold to access Siri without saying "Hey Siri"
Tap or concord the plus icon to turn the volume up
Tap or agree the minus icon to turn the volume down

HomePod music voice controls

You can command the music playback of music played via the HomePod (ie not via AirPlay) by but saying "Hey Siri". Here are some bones voice commands:

Hey Siri, turn the volume up
Hey Siri, turn the volume to 85 per cent
Hey Siri, plow the book downwards
Hey Siri, stop
Hey Siri, play
Hey Siri, side by side song
Hey Siri, skip frontwards 30 seconds
Hey Siri, previous runway

Siri almost supports a number of more complex music vocalization commands like asking for specific genres, moods, or activities.

Activities include:

Bedtime
Break Up
Cardio
Cooking
Dancing
Dinner Political party
Meditating
Party Music
Studying
Waking Up

Moods include:

Affectionate
Blue
Arctic
Lively
Safe for Kids
Soothing
Unwind
Upbeat
Warm
Whimsical

Genres include:

Alternative
Brazilian
Chicago Blues
Country Rock
Electric Blues
French Popular
Grunge
Indie
Trip the light fantastic toe
Pop
Rock
Smooth
Jazz

Y'all tin can as well get more specific either with artists or playlists. For example:

Hey Siri, play the latest song past Norah Jones
Hey Siri, play Ed Sheeran
Hey Siri, play this year's Grammy nominees
Hey Siri, play Adele's first anthology
Hey Siri, play a playlist from Pitchfork
Hey Siri, play the song by Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake

One time you lot're playing a track yous can then inquire Siri more than questions about what's playing.

Hey Siri, what song is this?
Hey Siri, when was this released?
Hey Siri, what'due south Taylor Swift's newest album?
Hey Siri, who plays drums for Coldplay?

Controlling HomePod music via your iPhone

You tin run across what'south playing on your HomePod at any fourth dimension either by asking Siri to tell you or by accessing the HomePod via Command Heart or the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad. To do so yous have to be on the aforementioned Wi-Fi network.

Through Command Middle

Open Command Center
Tap on the small wireless looking icon at the top of the music console
Scroll down the screen to see your HomePod'due south proper noun. If you've already played music, it will take the concluding track you've played with the accompanying album fine art.
Tap on the vocal championship to reveal playback commands
Tap again to open control in the Apple tree Music app

Through the Apple tree Music app

Open the Apple Music app
Tap on the current song or previous song y'all were playing
Tap on the AirPlay logo at the lesser centre of the screen
Scroll down the screen to run into your HomePod's proper name. If y'all've already played music, it volition have the last track you've played with the accompanying album art.
Tap on the song championship to reveal playback commands
Tap once again to render to the Apple Music app and choose the vocal y'all desire to play.

Reduce the bass on your HomePod or HomePod mini

If y'all find the HomePod or HomePod mini also bassy, you tin can employ a setting to reduce the low frequency output of the speakers.

Open the Home app
Tap and hold your HomePod in the Favourite Accessory section
Toggle on Reduce Bass

Allow Explicit Content on HomePod

You can set whether you want to listen to music with explicit content or non on the HomePod and HomePod mini. Handy if you lot've got kids. To plow this feature on or off you need to go to the HomePod or HomePod mini's settings folio in the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.

Go to the Home app
Tap on the Habitation icon in the top left corner
Tap on Home Settings
Tap a user
Toggle Permit Explicit Content

Use Listening History on HomePod and HomePod mini

Apple allows music played on the HomePod and HomePod mini to influence your "Listen Now" recommendations and announced on your profile. If you lot're worried that other members of your family might disrupt your recommendations (read kids listening to Disney or daughter bands too much) you tin plow this feature off. To do this follow the instructions below:

Go to the Dwelling app
Tap on the Home icon in the top left corner
Tap on Abode Settings
Tap a user
Toggle Update Listening History

AirPlay from your iPhone to HomePod

If you want to play music directly from your device or from another service like Spotify or BBC radio y'all can AirPlay content direct from your iPhone or iPad to the HomePod or HomePod mini.

To practise then simply go the app you want to play, find the AirPlay logo and then select your HomePod or HomePod mini from the list of available devices.

HomePod messaging tips tricks

Beyond music controls the HomePod also has the ability to send messages, set reminders, create lists, and add to notes using your voice.

Enabling Personal Requests

To enable or disable personal requests - i.due east, send messages, add to your reminders, or create notes when your iPhone is nearby - y'all have to become to the Home app.

Open up the Home app
Tap and hold your HomePod or HomePod mini from the Favourite Accessories section
Tap the settings cog in the bottom right corner
Tap on Personal Requests
Toggle Personal Requests on for each HomePod you desire them on for

Creating a bulletin with HomePod and HomePod mini

To create a new message, you simply take to say "Hey Siri, text…" or "Hey Siri, WhatsApp…" Siri supports text messaging through a number of apps, including iMessage, SMS, WhatsApp and WeChat.

You can also tell Siri that a certain contact is your brother or partner, for example, and Siri will call back that for the hereafter so you'll exist able to say "Ship a message to my married man" or "Send a message to my married woman" and information technology will send a message to whoever you have told Siri is your hubby or your married woman.

Calculation to your Reminders or Lists

For Reminders and Lists, y'all tin ask to add items or consummate them past telling Siri. You merely say things like: "Hey Siri, marking walk the neighbour's dog as complete" or "Hey Siri, add broccoli to the grocery list."

HomePod and HomePod mini back up Apple'south ain Reminders app as well as others, like Evernote and Things 3.

Calculation or creating Notes

You can either create or add notes via the HomePod by saying things like: "Hey Siri, create a note Books to Read" or "Hey Siri, add Columns of Fire to my Books to Read note".

HomePod and HomePod mini Intercom tips and tricks

HomePod and HomePod mini tin can be used as an intercom if you accept multiple HomePod speakers in your domicile or multiple Apple devices. You can transport unlike intercom messages to specific rooms and zones or send the aforementioned bulletin, like "Hey Siri, intercom 'Time for dinner!'" to tell everyone to get to the tabular array.

An intercom message will go far on any HomePod speakers yous tell it to, likewise as iOS, iPadOS or Apple Watch or CarPlay devices

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Transport an intercom message

To send an intercom message on your HomePod or HomePod mini, simply attempt any of the examples below or make upwardly your own.

"Hey Siri, intercom 'Who ate the last beige?'"
"Hey Siri, denote 'I'm home!'"
"Hey Siri, ask everyone where are my glasses?"
"Hey Siri, let everyone know I plant my glasses"
"Hey Siri, tell everyone I'm taking the dog for a walk"
"Hey Siri, intercom 'On my way dwelling, want me to pick annihilation up?'"

To ship a message to a HomePod in a specific room or zone, say something like "Hey Siri, tell the role the film is starting" or "Hey Siri, announce upstairs I'yard going to the shops".

Replying to an intercom message

You can answer to an intercom message by simply saying "Hey Siri reply I'll be right there" or "Hey Siri, announce I am but finishing my homework".

Turn on, off or limit intercom messages

By default, all members of your home will go intercom message delivered to their devices when they are at home, though they need to accept location services on.

If y'all want to turn intercom notifications off on your device, or limit them, follow the steps below:

Open the Home app on your device
Tap on the Home icon in the top left corner
Tap on Home Settings
Tap on Intercom
Choose your preference

Using HomePod or HomePod mini as a speakerphone

You tin can manus-off calls y'all've started or received on your HomePod or HomePod mini from your iPhone hands. When you're in a call or well-nigh to accept a call simply select HomePod or HomePod mini from the sound choices in Phone app in the aforementioned way y'all would a Bluetooth headset or speaker.

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HomePod and HomePod mini specific controls in Home App

Once gear up you can access the HomePod and HomePod mini settings via the Dwelling house app on your Apple iPhone or iPad. To check the settings, observe the HomePod in your Favourite Accessories and long printing on the icon.

Setting an alarm on HomePod or HomePod mini

You tin can set multiple audio alarms on the HomePod and HomePod mini. To do so follow these instructions

Go to the Abode app
Select HomePod or HomePod mini speaker in Favourite Accessories
Long press on HomePod or HomePod mini icon
Tap New Alert
Set time, whether you desire it to echo, and give it a label
You can also choose whether you desire it to play a tone or play media

Setting a timer on HomePod or HomePod mini

Similar alarms, you tin set multiple timers on the HomePod and HomePod mini. Follow the steps beneath:

Get to the Home app
Select HomePod or HomePod mini speaker in Favourite Accessories
Long press on HomePod or HomePod mini icon
Tap New Timer
Set timer and give it a label

Using HomePod to control HomeKit devices

Y'all can use the HomePod in the same style you would Siri on your phone to control Homekit devices in your domicile either past issuing commands to exercise something like "Hey Siri, turn on the lights" to "Hey Siri, what'due south the temperature in the living room?" Whatsoever command or device that was previously set up with your phone will work in the same way on the HomePod.

Apple TV tips and tricks

Fine-tuning Siri on the HomePod

You can fine-tune Siri to some extent in the Habitation app on your iPhone or iPad although the control you have is limited.

Turning off Hey Siri

In that location'southward isn't a physical button on the HomePod to plough off Siri like the Echo, Sonos One, and Google Home or Nest devices, simply you lot can all the same plow off the function if yous are worried about Siri listening in on your conversation. To plow Siri off on the HomePod and HomePod mini, you have to exercise it via the Home app on your iPhone.

Go to the Dwelling app
Select HomePod speaker in Favourite Accessories
Long printing on HomePod icon
Tap the settings icon in the lesser right corner
Curl down to Siri
Toggle off Listen for "Hey Siri"

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Playing a sound and lighting up when using Siri

By default, the HomePod and HomePod mini lights up a minor function of the touchscreen on the meridian of the speaker when you lot say "Hey Siri".

You can turn this off, besides as have an aural beep when y'all say the control and then you know when to beginning speaking. To enable or disable these features:

Go to the Home app
Select HomePod speaker in Favourite Accessories
Long press on HomePod icon
Tap the settings icon in the bottom correct
Curl down to Siri
Toggle Light When Using Siri or Sound When Using Siri

Changing Siri'southward vocalism on the HomePod

Siri will default to the vocalism of your territory; however, you can change information technology if you lot fancy a alter. Siri is available in both male and female voices in American, British, Australian, Indian, Irish gaelic and South African. To change Siri's vocalization, do the following:

Get to the Abode app
Select HomePod speaker in Favourite Accessories
Long press on HomePod icon
Tap the settings cog in the lesser right corner
Roll down to Siri
Tap to modify Siri'due south Vocalization

Web Search Handoff to iPhone

Siri on HomePod works seamlessly with your other Apple devices equally you might imagine. You tin can ask Siri on HomePod or HomePod mini to search the spider web and the results can be sent to your iPhone.

To practise this simply say "Hey Siri, search the spider web for Yosemite travel guides" and while yous've asked the HomePod or HomePod mini, the search will be performed on your iPhone.

Writing by Stuart Miles and Britta O'Boyle.

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Source: https://www.pocket-lint.com/speakers/news/apple/143560-the-best-apple-homepod-tips-and-tricks-plus-how-to-set-up-homepod