Sound Recognition rolls out for Apple’s HomePod speakers – and it could save your life

Apple has introduced a potentially life-saving feature for the HomePod and HomePod Mini – sound recognition – which means the speakers can hear smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and send a notification.

Sound Recognition is available from today and can be set up for HomePod speakers in the Home app.

If Sound Recognition detects a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm via your HomePod speaker it will send a notification to your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.

And if you receive the notification on an iPhone or iPad, it’s possible to check in and hear what’s happening in your home.

If you receive a notification a banner will also appear at the top of the Home app with the option to check in.

Tapping this notification allows users to check in and hear what’s going on.

Siri will also mention to the household members that a Home member is checking in.

And if there is a HomeKit camera in the house the video feed will be included with the notification so you can instantly take a look.

Sound Recognition respects a user’s privacy with all the audio analysis taking place on the device and if you check in and it’s encrypted end to end.