Apple Asks Developers to Start Optimizing Apps for HomePod Using SiriKit in iOS 11.2 - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Asks Developers to Start Optimizing Apps for HomePod Using SiriKit in iOS 11.2

by

iOS 11.2 beta, released this morning, introduces SiriKit support for the HomePod, according to Apple. With SiriKit for HomePod now available, Apple is asking developers to make sure SiriKit-compatible apps are optimized for HomePod ahead of the device's release.

SiriKit is designed to allow iOS and watchOS apps to work with Siri, so users can complete tasks with Siri voice commands. SiriKit is available for a wide range of apps on those two platforms, but its availability is slightly more limited when it comes to HomePod.

apple homepod space gray
Third-party apps that use SiriKit Messaging, Lists, and Notes are compatible with the HomePod. Siri will recognize voice requests given to the HomePod, with those requests carried out on a linked iOS device. So, for example, users can ask HomePod to send a message to a friend, add an item to a list, or create a new note. Sample HomePod requests:

- Send a text to Eric using WhatsApp
- In WeChat, tell Eric I'll be late
- Add chocolate and bananas to my list in Things
- Create a note that says "hello" in Evernote

Developers can test the voice-only experience of their apps using Siri through headphones connected to an iOS device with the iOS 11.2 beta.

Apple plans to release the HomePod this December, but a specific launch date for the speaker has not yet been provided. When it becomes available, the HomePod will cost $349.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Tag: Siri Guide
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Caution)
Related Forum: iOS 11

Popular Stories

Finder Siri Feature

iOS 27 Getting Major Siri Redesign With Chat Interface and Dedicated App

Tuesday May 12, 2026 1:38 pm PDT by
Apple is introducing an overhauled version of Siri in iOS 27, evolving the personal assistant into a more capable chatbot and AI agent able to compete with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. With Siri's transition, Apple will be making multiple Siri-related design changes in iOS 27, according to a new report from Bloomberg. Siri will largely live in the Dynamic Island in iOS 27, but there will also be...
Read Full Article • 97 comments
OpenAI vs Apple Feature

OpenAI Considering Legal Action Against Apple Over 'Strained' Siri Partnership

Thursday May 14, 2026 10:52 am PDT by
OpenAI is preparing to potentially take legal action against Apple due to a "strained" relationship with the iPhone maker, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The two companies reached a partnership in 2024 that saw ChatGPT integrated into features like Siri and Image Playground across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. iPhone users can also subscribe to ChatGPT directly via the Settings app, with...
Read Full Article • 145 comments
iOS 27 and Siri Finder Thumb

iOS 27: Dedicated Siri App to Include Auto-Deleting Chats Feature

Monday May 18, 2026 4:00 am PDT by
Apple in iOS 27 will include an enhanced Siri with a dedicated app that gives users options to keep conversations in memory for a limited time, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says that Apple is keen to market its privacy credentials as a key advantage in the way it is implementing AI across its software compared to rivals....
Read Full Article • 39 comments

Top Rated Comments

nutmac Avatar
nutmac
112 months ago
It's really dumb that like Apple Watch, HomePod cannot be used independently from iPhone. It should be similar to Apple TV in that it can be purchased and used without having to own an iPhone.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
K
KoolAid-Drink
112 months ago
iOS 11.2, released this morning ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/10/30/apple-releases-first-beta-of-ios-11-2/'),
Hmmm, shouldn't it read as beta or something like that? It can easily mislead people into thinking the actual public release version of 11.2 was released.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GadgetBen Avatar
GadgetBen
112 months ago
The limitations are why I’ve opted for the new Amazon Echo 2.

Should be delivered this Friday along with my iPhone X :D
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H
hagar
112 months ago
How does this work for multiple users? Or will everyone in the house need their own HomePod to enjoy the app-centric functionality?
I assume Apple will suggest to buy separate houses. Each with their own Homepod and Apple TV.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Regime2008 Avatar
Regime2008
112 months ago
Hahahahaha! Echo Dot hifi! Jolly good joke sir.

(As I listen to an UNCOMPRESSED original Eagles album on a Technics Turntable, Crown Amplifier, and JBL Studio Monitors.)
Pretty sure using the echo Dot, connected to those devices, would sound millions of years better than the homepod, which can't be hooked up to those devices...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Internet Enzyme Avatar
Internet Enzyme
112 months ago
Hahahahaha! Echo Dot hifi! Jolly good joke sir.

(As I listen to an UNCOMPRESSED original Eagles album on a Technics Turntable, Crown Amplifier, and JBL Studio Monitors.)
Well of course it is not ideal, as the Echo Dot is feeding an already un-digitized, analog signal to the receiver, meaning you still have to put up with the Echo's internal DAC. But I don't think I'm mistaken when I say that speakers makes a larger impact on sound quality than DAC's do. Maybe I'm wrong. That doesn't change the fact that they should still release a Echo Dot style Siri box.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments