In response to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple may very well be engaged on a brand new HomePod system that may function a built-in show for 2024. The rumor appears to be primarily based on third-party provide chain firms, similar to Tianma, a Chinese language show producer.
This new product within the HomePod lineup would look fully totally different from current HomePods as it could function a seven-inch show. In different phrases, it could appear to be a speaker with a small pill (or a small pill with a speaker) just like the Amazon Echo Present or Google’s Nest Hub.
Kuo believes that Apple is in the midst of revamping its sensible house technique with new gadgets and options. Along with the HomePod Mini, Apple lately launched a brand new premium HomePod with a well-recognized look. It seems just like the mannequin that debuted in 2018 however with model new inner parts.
There’s a cause Apple is focusing extra on the sensible house. Matter, a brand new sensible house normal, is meant to unify sensible house gadgets — and Apple is among the launch companions. The brand new HomePod helps Thread, the Matter-backed wi-fi protocol particularly designed for IoT gadgets.
“The brand new Matter sensible house connectivity normal provides customers extra selection and interoperability to attach all kinds of sensible house equipment throughout totally different ecosystems,” Apple’s vp of {Hardware} Engineering and Operations Matthew Costello advised TechCrunch’s Brian Heater final month. “With help for Thread, the brand new HomePod can function a border router and securely allow communications to Thread-based equipment positioned all through the house.”
Apple can be the corporate behind the iPad. Including a touchscreen show to a sensible speaker would make sense for the corporate as many individuals already use and like their iPad. It might be a well-recognized interface and will additionally doubtlessly run some common iPad apps out of the field.
In January, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentioned that Apple has additionally been engaged on a sensible show that may very well be used to manage your sensible house. Basically, it could be a low-end iPad that you would mount on a wall to manage your lights, thermostat and extra.
It’s unclear whether or not Ming-Chi Kuo is speaking about the identical system or not. This sensible house pill might carry the HomePod model, or Apple may very well be engaged on two separate gadgets — a wall-mounted pill and a countertop HomePod with a pill.
