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August Smart Locks now work alongside Apple HomePod for easier door locking

By Lulu Chang Updated April 18, 2022

Your smart lock now works with your smart speaker — your Apple smart speaker, that is. August announced that its third-generation

August Smart Lock Pro

and second-generation

August Smart Lock

are now compatible with the Apple HomePod, which means that your extremely expensive audio device is now also something of a smart home controller. Upon its launch, HomePod users were quick to laud the sound quality of the speaker itself, but just as quick to lament the lack of real functionality beyond playing music. August’s new integration may begin to change that.

“HomePod offers another great way to control your lock with your voice,” August noted in a release. Of course, the connected lock company has long offered compatibility with other smart home hubs on the market — you’ve been able to control August locks via Alexa since 2016, and earlier in March, August unveiled deeper integrations with Google Assistant as well.

That said, thanks to HomePod’s advanced six-microphone array and advanced echo cancellation system, Siri may be better equipped to hear your commands than Alexa or Assistant, which makes controlling your door from afar that much easier.

Using this new integration seems to be quite straightforward. August lock owners can use Siri on their iPhone or Apple Watch to tell the HomePod, “Siri, lock my front door.” Alternatively, folks can include the Smart Lock as part of a good night scene, which means that with a single command, they will be able to prepare their homes for the evening. We should point out that while the HomePod can now lock your door and provide you with the lock’s status (who hasn’t forgotten whether or not they actually secured their entryway?), you can’t ask Siri on the HomePod to actually unlock your Smart Lock Pro or Smart Lock. Sure, that is likely much less important, but it’s still a functionality that we will need to look out for in the months to come.

Previously, controlling your devices from afar meant you had to have either an Apple TV or an iPad. But now, the HomePod serves as a ready conduit between your HomeKit-compatible devices and your iPhone or Apple Watch.

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Smart Home

Apple HomePod Mini vs. Apple HomePod

A white HomePod mini sitting on a desk.

Apple's HomePod mini is one of the most popular smart speakers of 2023 -- but the newly announced HomePod is going to give it a run for its money. While the miniature HomeKit hub can control your smart home gear and engage with Siri, the HomePod 2023 can do all of that while also pumping out some impressive audio. But does the HomePod do enough to warrant its $299 price tag? Here's a closer look at both the HomePod and HomePod mini to help you determine which is best for your smart home.
Pricing and availability

One of the most common complaints about the original HomePod (released in 2018) was that it was one of the most expensive smart speakers on the market. That’s still true, as the HomePod 2023 clocks in at $299.

Smart Home

Apple HomePod vs. Apple HomePod 2023

Apple HomePod second-gen.

It has been quite a few years since Apple first launched the (now-defunct) HomePod, but the old smart speaker has been given a revival. The second generation HomePod retails for $299, and it offers some serious improvements over the original. Not only does it bring enhanced audio quality, but there are plenty of other upgrades that make it much better than its older sibling. Here’s a closer look at all the differences (and similarities) between the original HomePod and HomePod 2023.
Design

When compared side by side, you won’t notice many differences between the two HomePods. The new HomePod is about 200 grams lighter than the original model and is a couple of millimeters shorter, but overall the two are very similar. The touchpad on top of the HomePod 2023 is also a bit larger and now extends almost all the way to the edge of the device. Beyond those minor differences, they both sport an oblong design and come in multiple colors.
Speakers and sound
A diagram of the second-gen Apple HomePod internals (left) seen next to those of the first-gen HomePod.

Smart Home

Apple finally activates HomePod Mini’s hidden temperature/humidity sensor

Black HomePod mini on a side table, in front of an Apple TV

Apple recently revealed its second-gen HomePod, which is set to become the company’s flagship smart speaker in 2023. Featuring the S7 chipset, spatial audio, Matter compatibility, and tons of fancy room-sensing tech, the device is certain to be a hit when it launches in February. It’ll also feature a temperature and humidity sensor. Oddly enough, so does the existing HomePod Mini -- except Apple has only just activated the feature.

Apple has kept the temperature and humidity sensor deactivated for years, although now, with the launch of a new HomePod around the corner, the company has finally gone ahead and turned on the instrument in its existing Home Mini lineup. Once your HomePod Mini receives the update, you’ll be able to use it to track both the temperature and humidity in your home, then use that information to create various automations through Apple Home.