Top 7 Uses for a Homepod Mini in your Homekit Smart Home
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- Опубліковано 4 чер 2024
- The Homepod Mini is Small and it's still Mighty but are you using it to it's fullest?
How did I live before the Homepod Mini? That is still to be determined but the important thing is that it's here now. I use this little sphere of magic every single day. I could give you 99 tips & tricks for the Homepod Mini but in this video I'll focus on my Top 7 uses for a Homepod Mini. As in, practical and real-life uses that save our family time, money & energy and just geneerally enhance our Smart Home!
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:50 Top 7 Uses for a HomePod Mini
01:01 #1 - Alarms & Timers
02:03 #2 - Notes & Reminders
04:17 #3 - Intercom
05:26 #4 - Controlling Homekit
06:06 #5 - Voice Assistant
06:36 #6 - Music
08:45 #7 - Airplay
09:33 Bonus Tip - Automations
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I like that you show family situations with actual family members. It really shows a smart home is an improvement for everyone in the household. Most homekit youtubers don’t do this. Great work!
Thank you Shinji! I appreciate it so much and glad you enjoy some guest appearances from my fam! 👌🏼 It’s so true, it helps everyone stay connected and saves so much time for us!
I love my mini’s. I have one in each bedroom, TV room and kitchen. They have made my life so simple.
They are amazing👌🏼 Love the sound of your set up!! Thanks for watching the channel Anthony!
I use the ones in the bedroom to play white noise (Stream Sounds) to help us sleep at night.
Good one Frederick! I have done that as well. There are some great ambient noise options available!
I love to see how people use this it in real life - great video
Thank you so much! Hope it gave you an idea or two! 😁 Thanks for watching!
So many good uses. I don’t know what we ever did without em.
Totally agree! Thanks for watching Eric!
Nice Brad, I didn’t know about being able to update lists in notes, that’s a great use for sure! Home pod is so versatile I have them everywhere!
Thanks Danny! Glad you enjoyed the vid and found something new to try out. Pretty soon you’ll be able to use your HPMs yo ask about your air quality with the addition of your Eve Room giveaway prize!! 🎉
Love the opening and new social media graphics!
Another great video Brad - You're absolutely right about lists - it's an under-appreciated aspect which I must admit I don't use myself all that much, but I really should!
Thanks so much! I’m impressed you noticed a few new elements in the video! Notes are helpful and many don’t think about sharing them. Anytime my wife and I are collaborating on something we open a new note.👏🏼
Can’t believe I watched the whole video without been bored
Really appreciate 👍 subscribed
Wow, great to hear that feedback, Adam! Thank you so much and welcome to the channel!
Great video, love the subtle Canadian flavor, such as the HPM price in igloo dollars, Our Lady Peace as the band, and the Canadian (mis)pronunciation of “pasta”. Subscribed... but mostly for the good content without hype.
Thanks so much! Love this. Appreciate you subscribing. 🇨🇦👌🏼🍁
Just got my basement re-rigged up (our main living space use to be all Alexa ) and am loving all the HomeKit stuff! Been a breeze to set up compared to our old echo. Can’t believe how simple it is to be completely honest.
Another good video Brad!
I've kind of went overboard with HPMs. All of the features you mention are great.
While it is the most basic of functions, I really like having them in (pretty much) every room and being able to play them at low-volume for background music. In my home, they are playing pretty much any time a television isn't on...and it's provided us with a 'whole home audio' experience.
And my Stereo Pair of OG HomePods set as Default Audio on my ATV4K makes for a great sound stage for 'normal' TV viewing - when I'm not watching something that warrants going thru my Surround Receiver/speakers...
I have couple of rooms that could probably benefit from another HPM so that I could configure a Stereo Pair, but I think that might get me into some trouble with the Wifey. :)
Lol! Thanks for sharing your set up Brad! It is so nice to have some whole home audio and nothing wrong with going overboard on the HPMs! 🤣
The HomePod minis are superb & the original HomePod has the most beautiful bass 👏👍😊
Agreed!
Great video! I have a few homepods around my apartment that only get used for music and Apple TV but a lot of the features you mention seem really helpful. I’ll be sure to try and incorporate these tips!
Thanks for watching, glad you found some new ways to use your HomePod minis!
Thanks Brad! A lot of great tips in there. Keep up the great work! 😎
Thanks Derrick!
Very cool. The “Tell” command was one i din’t know about. thanks!
In the music section of your video of home pod. What was that iTunes button that as displayed on the window wall
It’s a flic button! You can buy stickers for them so I have a “music” sticker on mine. Highly recommend!
I started hinting my wife to get our home “tech smart” starting with HomePod minis but it ddnt go down so well as expected. I have a long way to go…😭
Haha I've been there. Just keep chipping away!
I recently started with my home office. I got a homepod mini and impressed my wife with the sound quality. I’ve been using Siri as an assistant to send texts and make phone calls. Now she does the same on her iPhone..Baby steps. I’ll soon add a smart light switch, smart bulb for the lamp, or smart plug (maybe all 3 🙂) and let her discover the benefits for herself. Then I’ll see what I can do with the garage. The long term plan is to have all rooms integrated. Keep at it. Cheers !
Why are you hinting at your wife? If you want them buy them.
@@jestertheslacker wow alpha male here, easy tiger
I just bring them home. My wife learns and ends up using them
Great video Brad! I think also it’s worth noting that with a 2021 Apple TV 4K + Stereo Pair OG HomePods + TV with ARC/eARC combo you can use the HomePod set up to play any sound from the tv. I’m enjoying playing either my Nintendo switch or Xbox series x and have the sound come out through the HomePods (since we all know they have amazing sound quality haha).
That is awesome and great call out. The OGs in stereo would perform really well in that set up. I wish we could do the same with the minis even though the power isn’t as strong, they are an improvement to TV speaker sound. Thanks as always for watching Valdo!
I thought that were possible with the Home Pod minis as well?
I have two HomePod mini‘s set up as a pair and only one works with the hey Siri function how do I switch Siri from one to the other?
Hi Joe. I find that if you press the top of the HomePod you want the “Hey Siri” to work from, to activate Siri manually, then it will become the default moving forward. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching!
Super helpful overview - and I love the Our Lady Peace shoutouts! :)
Thanks Sean!
Good tips. I have a grocery app on my phone that I’ve been using for years. Of course I have to type in my list but it also has a favourites section so it’s easy to add your regular purchase. Being a former Blackberry user, I can type fast! I can also set up any number of different stores. That being said, I can see myself creating a List within the Reminders App using HomePod Mini. I’ll give it a try. 😊
So easy to do it from your HomePod, I literally use it everyday. I order my groceries online through PC Express. It would be even better if I could add them directly from the HomePod…. Maybe one day!
Hi Brad, greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱. I really enjoy watching your videos. You always have useful tips and tricks. Due to this video I have decided to dive into HomeKit and purchased 2 HomePod mini’s and a few Eve smartplugs. I also got a Sensibo Air to make my dumb airconditioner smart. Everything works great and the setup was a breeze. Keep up the good work!
This was very helpful thank you
You can use the HomePod mini to play internet radio stations too. Ask it to play 107.7 or ask play I HeartRadio 70's.
I have to save this video and come back to take notes! Great content.
Thank you!
Silverchair in the favs 👌 awesome video, thanks for sharing.
Agree! And you're welcome!
Does music work with Spotify or do you have to use Apple Music? Thanks!
Glad that I discovered your channel as I’m new to HomeKit I like your Canadian content (and Ontario as per your LCBO list 😀) as opposed to US channels. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! Yes - the LCBO list is an important! 😂 Welcome to HomeKit!
Hey, I’ve tried the add grocery thing, but if i wanted to add multiple items at once (eg. Apples oranges pineapples) they are always grouped in one single reminder line. Do i have to separately add them?😢
Your video quality is excellent and you’ve earned yourself a subscriber, keep up the good work!
Appreciate that - thank you Ross!
Personally I bought two minis and took them back after two days. First, you can’t hook two up to your tv, second, they sound just ok and it isn’t as good as Alexa in understanding what I say. I’m an Apple fan boy and have many Apple products.
Thanks so much for your comments! Coming this fall they can be connected as default speakers to the Apple TV. IMO the HomePod (and mini) fit perfectly into the Apple ecosystem, but like everything, it's a personal decision. Thanks again for sharing!
That would be great if in the shopping section you can set certain stores for certain items. See if I need to go to Costco when my GPS knows I’m in Costco my shopping list always appears in the wake up like Apple Maps does
Very good video. Do you have a video about HomePod mini for beginners or HomeKit for beginners? I would be interested in that topic. Not all of us are experts 🤷🏼♂.
IMO, it seems the mini is best used for music and for Siri & for anybody heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, huh? I can envision using some of your 7 uses but maybe not all of them.
Hello
can i set an alarm?? If HomePod mini isn’t connected to internet?
As a fellow, slightly older, Canadian, nice music taste! :D
what a fever dream of an intro wtf 🤣
My HomePod mini tells me to make sure the HomePod is on same network as my iPhone when I try to add something to my shopping list. What gives? I add things to list all the time using my phone or Apple Watch. Being able to use HomePods would make this even easier. Help.
Hi Peter! That must be frustrating! I've had that happen on rare occasions. I feel like it's when my iPhone is on 2.4 and my HomePod is on 5.0 GHz, but I can't say for sure. I would contact Apple support to get some assistance.
I know what it might be. In your HomePod mini settings did you activate “being able to use HomePodmini everywhere? Or only in the same network ? That might be it because their are 3 options being able to use HomePodmini everywhere, same network or only family members (members who joined family kit)
@@mateo1390 I did something to fix this issue. Not sure what I did, but my Minis now take requests like add to notes. Thanks
Nice video again! Wish Siri could speak less loud. Even at the lowest, It's too loud most of the time.
Hi Brad, I have my 2 Original HomePods as audio output for my Apple TV and now that I bought an HomePod mini in my Kitchen, the sound goes out in this one as well against my will. I checked in System configuration of Apple TV and in HomeKit and nowhere I see the HomePod mini is attached with my 2 original HomePods. Do you know how I can fix this? Thank you!
That is odd... If you check the airplay settings on your Apple TV does the mini show up? I have a HP mini in the same room as my 2 originals attached to my Apple TV as well. If I play music in the entire room, I have to go into my airplay settings and remove my mini if I want to watch TV. A little annoying, but doesn't happen very often. Hope this helps.
@@TheBradLloyd Hi Brad, found the problem, finally my HomePod mini was activated in the Temporary audio Output in my Apple TV audio output settings. I unticked it and now it's perfect. Thx for your help! Much appreciated and fast :)
Hey Brad, Just found your channel and have enjoyed your videos a lot. I am new to Homekit so have a couple of BASIC questions if you have time for brief answers. TIA. 1) I have AppleTV HD and have ordered the 2021 4K for delivery in a few days. I also have two iPod Minis I am learning to use. I plan to slowly add door lock, some lighting, etc. But I DO NOT WHICH IS MY ACTUAL HOME HUB (mini or appleTV). How can I tell and which is best for me? 2) I had previously purchased RING Doorbell Camera but don't know how to Bridge? to them with Home App. Any help would be appreciated. I will be watching more of your videos for sure because the kids are so "into it" too.
Hi Steve, welcome to HomeKit. In the Home app, click the house icon on the top left, then click "Home Settings", then "Home Hubs & Bridges". You will then see all your HomeHubs. 1 will be primary and the others in Standby. You cannot select which Hub is your primary, and it will periodically change. In theory, HomeKit will always use the most ideal HomeHub based on it's location/connection, so you shouldn't have to think about it. The new Apple TV will be a nice addition for you, since it has a Thread Border Router built in.
Ring is not supported by Apple HomeKit, though could be added into HomeKit using Homebridge. If this is something you are interested in doing, then I would suggest looking into HOOBS in a box to make the process as easy as possible.
As Matter rolls out later this year, we hope we will start to see more HomeKit (Matter) supported devices, which will be very exciting!
Hope that helps. Enjoy your new Apple TV!
@@TheBradLloyd Thanks for your response! Very helpful. HOOBS on order!
Hi Brad, I recently discovered your channel and I love your content. One small suggestion though, can you please avoid loud music in your videos or turn them down. I had to keep changing the volume up and down while watching late at night. Thank You.
Thanks for watching Moe, glad you enjoy the channel. Appreciate the feedback and will keep that in mind!
Great video! I don’t want to be TOO pedantic, but I did snigger at your to-do list entry about “pedant lights”!
I like the idea on making shopping lists using the mini. I’m a little unclear. Do you see the list you created in your notes? This would make a great standalone video for clueless dummies like me 😊
Hi Bill - I love this feature! It’s in reminders. You can create a reminder and share (if you wish). Then you can see items you’ve added in reminders and check them off as you go. I’ll consider a full video on this. 😊
Which door lock is that you're using? Compatible with HomeKit?
Weiser Premis. It’s HomeKit, but can be hit or miss. Waiting for a thread enabled lock to come out and I will probably replace it.
I have a good night scene where i only want one album play, but when i say good night, my selected album plays but then it keeps playing other albums…. Please help? :)
Hi Frant, so it's working (playing the right album), but instead of stopping at the end of the album it continues to play other albums? Is that right? I know there is an option to "repeat" or "shuffle", but haven't tested what happens at the end of an album.
Great video. Just google, How to use Alexa and then try and do the same with homepod."Hey Siri, what can Alexa do?"
Haha thanks Lawrence. You know I’m all in on the Apple ecosystem, but agree Apple has some catching up to do in the smart assistant space.
@@TheBradLloyd the nice thing is if you have Amazon, which you do, you can pair your hue to Alexa and use her on your phone or PC. I would love to see you do a video Comparing the two.
@@Bigglare Hi Lawrence, I don't have an Echo, nor do I plan to get one (maybe a fun video idea one day though). IMO it's best to choose an ecosystem, and embrace it. Karlo over at Tech Tech & More Tech just did a video you may like with his top Alex features he wants to see come to HomeKit. ua-cam.com/video/FyUFBVOr-0U/v-deo.html
While it's true that we can stream Spotify from our phone to the HomePod mini, the feeds will often stop or sound choppy. I tried the Apple Music 6 months trial. When streaming Apple Music from iPhone to HomePod mini, I never stop. This is strange!🤔
When touching your phone with the HomePod mini could it transmit music form Spotify and viceversa ?
Sure. It will transfer whatever audio is playing on your iPhone.
Which app are you using for shared list
Just the built-in Notes and Reminders apps. They work great.
@@TheBradLloyd thank you
SOUNDFORM™ CONNECT
Audio Adapter with AirPlay 2 - connect subwoofer to minis pair for theater mode?
I have not tried that, but that would be cool!
You can set up an automation on your or your wife’s phone so when you get to a point of almost home it say to everyone almost home without you needing to do anything
I am confused regarding grocery list. How can both spouses have same list. Is it because your are both using the same apple account.
Hi Nicole! It’s a shared list. Once you share a list anyone (whom it’s shared with) can add or remove any items. So you don’t need the same apple account but you would both need an apple device with the notes app. Hope that makes sense. Let me know if you have more questions.
You need to be able to pair homepods in alarms. Right now, If I set up say a Laundry Alarm to let me know when the washer or dryer are done, I’ll have to be in the room where I set the alarm in order to hear it. If I’ve moved around cleaning the house and I’m in the Living Room, the alarm goes off but I won’t know cause I’m not in the Laundry Room.
That's a great point, I personally tend to use my apple watch (if you have one) or my phone which I generally have with me. I can definitely think of cases where this would be a beneficial feature. I think you might be able to set alarms in certain zones but I'll have to test that out before I say for sure. Thanks for watching Gary!
@@TheBradLloyd thanks for replying. I should have said timers and not alarms. It’s kinda funny that they let you set multiple timers at the same time by naming them differently but still just for one HomePod . I’ve even tried setting an alarm for the room I know I’ll be in like the room I’m watching TV. Before I can say set Laundry timer for two hours on living room HomePod Siri has already set it.
I’ve read somewhere that Apple will stop updating the original HomePod in 2021.
So be cautious !
Hope not! Apple usually supports discontinued devices for 7 years or so. If you come across that article please share! Thanks.
Can’t a regular HomePod also be a border router?
like the features, setup was difficult for some of my devices (August Door lock, ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxhB5YOMNj04GuoAosExygP4cH-dKeb4aB Bose speaker)... but all switches and outlets (5), thermostat, tankless water heater. Unfortunately all I can do is turn on/off Bose. It doesn't support volume or changing channels, but I believe that is due to the particular speaker I have.... Worth getting if you already have other devices to use it with... I don't sit around and ask Alexa questions much so that doesn't really matter to me....
I need to know more about this button that you press to get music to play based on a single or double tap. I want one in my home! :)
It’s a flic button and I love it! They have different stickers as well like the music sticker you saw.
@@TheBradLloyd Thank you! :)
@@TheBradLloyd I found a great deal on Flic buttons for $10/ea at The Source, but looks like they need a hub - do you need a hub to make them work or is an iPad enough?
@@xeric77 wow, great deal. Unfortunately you do need the hub to get them into HomeKit.
@@TheBradLloyd Thanks again, Brad! I invested in the Aqara mini switch (and hub), but don't see any way to have it activate music or anything else outside of homekit. Do I need another app to bridge the switch to apple music?
door stop
siri is not in Danish on homepod min
I get it, that's frustrating. I might be mistaken but I thought I heard at WWDC 21 that new languages will be available in the fall. Crossing my fingers for you. Thanks for watching Palle.
I Mother Earth. 🤟
Can you ask it to find your phone
can you use youtube with it?
There isn't a screen, but you can airplay the audio from other Apple devices while listening to UA-cam. Hope that helps.
I just want to know the best way to label it name my lights so that when I want to turn on bedroom light it’s my light, not my daughters, not the guest room etc… drives me crazy
The only example I see with lists is the grocery list. Say I have a list called 'Games' and I wanted to add something to it; can I just say 'Add Mario Kart to Games'?
Thanks for watching, In reminders, if you create a list called games, you can say, “hey Siri, add Mario cart to my games list’. You do need to say the word list. If you simply ask Siri to add Mario kart games, it will likely think you’re asking about an App.
@@TheBradLloyd awesome, Thx for the quick reply!
Will Siri work with google calendar
Hi Nicole, yes. Under settings you can select which calendar to use as the default.
I want to buy 1 homepod to be my hub… after this video i want 2
I don't understand, do you western guys go somewhere for groceries? Why not use e commerce so that it can be delivered automatically?
Hi Andrew, Grocery deliver is available more in Metro cities (like Toronto/Montreal). We order online, but still have to pick up. Delivery would be a great option one day!
I only paid $99 for mine
Good deal!
I wish there was a apple robot 🤖 so he/she could get a beer 🍺 out off the fridge! ! That make my life complete…
Haha One day maybe!!
These cannot be connected via airplay to my Mac book. Deal breaker for me
Hi Jeff, you should be able to. Perhaps this article will help. www.idownloadblog.com/2021/02/03/macos-11-3-homepod-stereo-pair-default-sound-output/
I'm about to sell my Google Mini and Nest and get me an Apple HomePod
Yes! Great decision!
Paaaaaaaaaaasta ?
Paaaaawsta? 😂
Your doors should always be locked, even when you're home. This is 2022, not 1930.
If I ever say “I can’t imagine my life without my 4 HomePod Minis” you can punch me in the throat
Or “I can’t even imagine ever writing a list with paper and pencil”. Such drama
Hey Andrew, totally get it. #firstworldproblems 😂
he doesn't like the justin bieber song? blasphemy! LOL
It would be good if apple could get siri to understand our NZ accents. Its absolutely abysmal currently we have given up using siri.Even tried it on the Aussie voice setting, a total laugh, with constant incorrect pronunciation or just plain wrong info returned. Cant give a answer from a simple question like “tell me when it will rain today” , just says yes it will rain today, fn useless. Cant ask it what the sport results are currently as it only seems to know (yesterdays) U.S. sport. Aargh. No rugby or cricket or even soccer. WTF. Cant ask it what time a certain show is on the telly. Basically an expensive speaker and really very little benefit currently for our uses.
Dude. This intro gave me a panic attack.
Infuriating
This guy has kids? Guess men can get pregnant
😂 Not sure I follow what you mean. lol