Apple HomePod finally gets a touch of Aussie smarts

Apple’s HomePod may be one of the best speakers you can buy, but one of the things I was critical of at launch was the lack of Aussie “smarts”.

When compared to the existing smart speakers in the market – Amazon’s Echo and Google Home, there was no overwhelming set of announcement from Aussie companies letting us know the “things” we could do specific to their needs.

Today, Apple announced that ABC radio stations can now be accessed via Siri, and thus, commanded by voice on your HomePod.

Stations like Triple J, Classic FM, ABC Local stations and more can be played by simply asking Siri:

• “Hey Siri, Play Radio National”
• “Hey Siri, Play triple j radio”
• “Hey Siri, Play ABC Grandstand radio”
• “Hey Siri, Play ABC Classic radio”
• “Hey Siri, Play ABC Radio Sydney”
• “Hey Siri, Play ABC Radio Melbourne”
• “Hey Siri, Play ABC Radio Brisbane”
• “Hey Siri, Play ABC Radio Perth”
• “Hey Siri, Play ABC Radio Adelaide”
• “Hey Siri, Play ABC Radio Canberra”
• “Hey Siri, Play ABC Radio Darwin”
• “Hey Siri, Play ABC Radio Hobart”

These same commands will work on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV also.  What’s interesting is that they do not require the ABC app to be installed.  ABC has clearly worked closely with Apple toward this integration which uses Apple Music to deliver the audio.

On your iPhone it launches the Apple Music app and shows the stream as LIVE.  Question is – how much work is required for other radio stations to do the same?  Time will tell!

Users can also access ABC Radio stations using Siri on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV.