Know how Apple’s new Intercom feature helps you communicate

With the recent launch of HomePod mini, Apple revealed that this ultimate smart speaker comes packed with a lot of innovations. The most interesting is a new Intercom feature that offers a quick and easy way for family members to connect with each other at home.

According to Apple, this feature enables one person to send an Intercom message from one HomePod to another — whether in a different room, a specific zone, or multiple rooms throughout the home — and their voice will automatically play on the designated HomePod speaker.

Furthermore, the Cupertino-based tech giant revealed that this Intercom feature works perfectly with iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay. The reason behind this is that everyone in the household can get Intercom notifications and send Intercom messages from the backyard or on their way home.

As the HomePod software version 14.1 and Apple’s latest iOS version 14.2 are currently undergoing beta testing, the following steps will enable a user to access Intercom on the ultimate speaker HomePod:

1. Firstly, one has to install HomePod software version 14.1 (which includes support for HomePod mini and new Siri and Intercom features)
2. Once HomePod software version 14.1 is installed, click on the Home app.
3. Double click on little house icon that is located at the top-most left side.
4. Click on “Home Settings.”
5. Now, scroll down to find “Intercom” and click on it.
6. You can now make changes to notification settings to choose who can use the Intercom feature at your house to connect with each other.

Wondering how one could Intercom to rely message? Well, a report by MacRumors has notified that Intercom messages can be shared to the HomePods across a home via Siri on ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, Apple Watch, another ‌HomePod‌, etc. All that is needed is activation of ‌Siri‌ on your ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, Apple Watch, ‌CarPlay‌, or ‌AirPods. Once Siri is activated, one has to say “Intercom” and record your message. Isn’t this amazing to stay connected with each other without the need to move out of your place?

Mind you! HomePod mini will be available in white and space grey colour for Rs 9,900 from apple.com/in, and Apple Authorised Resellers. Moreover, customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US are able to order HomePod mini beginning at 5 a.m. PST on Friday, November 6, with availability beginning the week of November 16.

With the intelligence of Siri, HomePod mini delivers a personalised and deeply integrated experience for iPhone customers. Siri can identify who is speaking and tailor music and podcasts to their preferences, and respond to personal requests, like accessing messages, reminders, notes, and calendar appointments, or making and answering phone calls.

As far as compatibility is concerned, HomePod mini is compatible with iPhone SE, iPhone 6s or later, or iPod touch (7th generation) running iOS 14; or iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad Air 2 or later, or iPad mini 4 or later running iPadOS 14.

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