Apple continues to explore the development of an all-new HomePod equipped with a display. While this news may excite some users, it’s crucial to approach it with measured expectations, as Bloomberg reports that a release in 2024 appears unlikely.
Apple has a history of investigating various smart home products. These have included a combined Apple TV, FaceTime, and HomePod device, a HomePod with a screen attached to a swiveling robot-like arm, and iPad-like smart home displays. However, none of these products have come to fruition, highlighting the company’s ongoing deliberations within the smart home market.
Reports suggest that Apple may not have abandoned the idea of a display-equipped HomePod. References to such a device were discovered within recent tvOS beta versions. However, it’s important to remember that the development process often takes considerable time, and a 2025 launch date is the earliest time frame currently suggested.
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Further evidence emerged with the release of the tvOS 17.4 beta 3, according to a recent report from 9to5Mac. The update revealed an unreleased device codenamed “Z314” capable of running the operating system. This device, reportedly powered by the same A15 Bionic chip found in the sixth-generation iPad mini, could potentially be the rumored HomePod with a display.
The inclusion of SwiftUI frameworks and a UI debugging tool within the HomePod’s tvOS version strengthens the evidence. These features wouldn’t be necessary if Apple wasn’t planning a new device with a built-in usable display.
Interestingly, reports also suggest another upcoming HomePod with a smaller LCD screen atop the device. This iteration is expected to replace the existing second-generation HomePod and may potentially arrive sooner than the larger display model.
