Apple is reportedly working on a version of the HomePod, which will feature a display—a truly innovative addition, to the larger smart speaker. This revamped HomePod is expected to be released in the half of this year and it has already generated significant interest. Let’s take a look at what we know about it.
All About the Upcoming Apple Touchscreen HomePod
The rumors about Apple exploring the idea of a HomePod with a display and camera initially surfaced in 2021 with Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman leading the way. Since then it has been revealed that the operating system for this HomePod will be based on tvOS indicating a transition towards incorporating a screen.
Concrete details regarding Apple’s plans for a display-equipped HomePod came to light in March 2023 through Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. According to Kuo, this device will boast a 7-inch display supplied by Tianma, a company from China. In October 2023 an Apple insider known as “Kosutami” shared some insights into a HomePod model that maintains the familiar design of the second-generation iteration but replaces the customary LED array, on top with a substantial LCD touchscreen.
Other sources have also confirmed these details. Mentioned that this project is actively progressing under the codename “B720.” According to the code, in tvOS 17 it seems that Apple Music and Apple Podcasts are being updated to work well with the screen. This will enable an animation that matches the colors of album art while playing audio. Additionally, it looks like the touchscreen will also be used to show notifications.
Back in December “Kosutami” shared some pictures of a prototype that had a curved LCD screen on top, for displaying content. The upcoming HomePod has a feature that caught my attention. The possibility of a chip being included. It’s quite intriguing that despite the availability of the S8 chip, in 2022 Apple decided to stick with the S7 chip for the 2023 HomePod. The choice for the next-generation HomePod chip is still unclear as there are possibilities ranging from the S9 to the A15 Bionic.
Apple envisions this next-gen HomePod as an element within their ecosystem one that can greatly enhance connectivity with Apple devices. There’s speculation from Kuo about a seamless Handoff experience leveraging the second-gen Ultra Wideband chip found in iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Additionally, we might see improvements in hardware and microphones along with features like Wi-Fi 6E support.
Kuo initially reported a first-half launch for this HomePod back in March 2023. However, as of now, there are no rumors about full-sized HomePod models. On another note, Kuo predicts that mass shipments for the generation HomePod mini will begin in the half of 2024.
The role of the enabled HomePod, within the Apple product lineup remains uncertain. It’s still unclear whether it will directly replace the second-gen HomePod or if it will be introduced as a premium addition. Apple is considering making some changes, to its home strategy. They are exploring the possibility of creating a device that combines Apple TV and HomePod as a HomePod, with a screen that can be mounted on a robotic arm.
