Latest Apple smart home news - breaking smart home news, leaks

Apple HomePod to get ambient sounds, call handoff, and voice profiles By Maggie Tillman 12 September 2019

Apple is quietly updating the HomePod speaker with new Ambient Sounds designed to help you relax. But that's not the only new feature.... Read more

Apple HomePod 2: Release date, rumours and what we want to see in Apple's second-gen smart speaker By Dan Grabham 23 August 2019

Here's what we want to see from a HomePod 2 - which could be a direct replacement or a lower-priced secondary device - as well rumours so far.... Read more

Could the next-gen Apple HomePod feature hand gestures and Face ID? By Dan Grabham 8 February 2019

A recently-granted patent application could point the way towards the next-gen HomePod having facial recognition and control via hand gestures. As with... Read more

Apple HomeKit and Home app: What are they and how do they work? By Maggie Tillman 20 December 2018

Apple wants to make it easier for smart accessories - like Philips Hue lights, Wink lights, and other smart speakers, thermostats, detectors, plugs, blinds,... Read more

Apple HomePod adds multiple timers, lyric search, and calls By Maggie Tillman 12 September 2018

Apple didn't forget about its Siri speaker. CEO Tim Cook featured the product during the final minutes of the keynote presentation... Read more

How to create a HomePod Stereo Pair By Stuart Miles 30 May 2018

Apple has released iOS 11.4 and HomePod 11.4 and with it enabled AirPlay 2, which for Apple HomePod owners allows you to now connect two HomePod speakers... Read more

Apple hires Google Assistant guru: is this the move that can make Siri better? By Dan Grabham 4 April 2018

Apple needs to beef up Siri’s capabilities fast and has hired Google’s head of search and artificial intelligence (AI) to get the job done.Scot John... Read more

Putting the Home in HomePod: The new housing development that's smart from day one By Stuart Miles 1 April 2018

"And over here is the HomePod…" explains Ken Forster, Managing Director of Trivselhus UK, to Pocket-lint.It is not a phrase you expect to hear on a tour... Read more

Apple is trying to hire hundreds of AI engineers to make Siri smarter By Elyse Betters 31 March 2018

Nobody likes Siri.Apple launched its voice assistant years ago, and yet, it's miserable to use, especially compared to Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant,... Read more

Spike Jonze's brilliant Apple HomePod advert isn't really about HomePod By Rik Henderson 6 March 2018

Apple commissioned esteemed film and music video director Spike Jonze to create an elongated advert for its HomePod smart speaker and the end result is,... Read more

Funniest internet reactions to Apple HomePod's white ring marks By Elyse Betters 15 February 2018

If you haven't heard yet, HomePod can ruin some wood furniture.When Pocket-lint reviewed Apple's smart speaker, we discovered its silicone base left a... Read more

#Ringgate: How to stop HomePod from leaving rings on wood surfaces By Elyse Betters 14 February 2018

Oh, Apple. We really wanted to love the HomePod. But, when we reviewed it, we discovered the silicone base on Apple's smart speaker left a white, discoloured... Read more

Repairing your Apple HomePod costs almost as much as a new HomePod By Rik Henderson 12 February 2018

Siri might have some way to catch up with Alexa in smart speaker usability but there is no denying the audio quality emitted from an Apple HomePod. It... Read more

Apple could add Face ID tech to next HomePod so it can identify you By Elyse Betters 14 November 2017

Apple's HomePod speaker still isn't available, but that hasn't stopped the rumour mill from talking about the next version.According to a report by Nikkei,... Read more

Apple HomeKit spec change likely to see river of new products flood the market By Stuart Miles 12 June 2017

Apple has quietly opened up its HomeKit specification, allowing third-party manufacturers, like Philips and Honeywell, to connect to the Apple smart home... Read more

Apple finalising plans for Amazon Echo-like device to control your home through Siri By Rik Henderson 27 April 2017

Apple has long thought to be working on a product to rival Amazon Alexa and the Echo speaker. Now it is reported that any such designs are in the final... Read more

Apple might no longer make Wi-Fi routers or Time Capsules By Elyse Betters 21 November 2016

Apple has reportedly ditched its wireless router biz.According to Bloomberg, the Cupertino, CA-based company is trying to focus on consumer products that... Read more

How does the Eve app compare to Apple Home app? By Pocket-lint Promotion 15 November 2016

Apple Home is the dedicated HomeKit app that comes with iOS 10 allowing you to monitor and control your HomeKit enabled devices from your iPhone, your... Read more

Five scenarios for getting more from Apple HomeKit By Pocket-lint Promotion 11 October 2016

Apple Homekit is finally here. With over 100 products supporting the ecosystem, including Elgato Eve, there are now tonnes of things you can do to your... Read more

Apple might be working on official HomeKit app for setting up accessories By Elyse Betters 10 May 2016

It would be really cool if Apple launched a HomeKit app alongside iOS 10, and it looks like that might happen.HomeKit is Apple’s framework for home automation.... Read more

How Apple HomeKit is going to homogenise smarthomes By Chris Hall 1 September 2015

Apple HomeKit is going to hit the mainstream with the release of iOS 9 - expected on an iPhone or iPad very soon after 9 September - and it's going to... Read more

GE to make HomeKit-enabled LED lights that change colours and help you sleep By Elyse Betters 5 May 2015

GE has announced it will create smart lighting with support for Apple's HomeKit.The company wants to develop colour-changing LED lightbulbs that'll also... Read more