In accordance with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple may very well be working on a brand new HomePod gadget that may function a built-in show for 2024. The rumor appears to be primarily based on third-party provide chain firms, akin to Tianma, a Chinese language show producer.
This new product within the HomePod lineup would look fully completely different from current HomePods as it could function a seven-inch show. In different phrases, it could seem like 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 course of revamping its sensible dwelling technique with new units and options. Along with the HomePod Mini, Apple lately launched a new premium HomePod with a well-known look. It appears just like the mannequin that debuted in 2018 however with model new inner parts.
There’s a purpose Apple is focusing extra on the sensible dwelling. Matter, a brand new sensible dwelling normal, is meant to unify sensible dwelling units — and Apple is among the launch companions. The brand new HomePod helps Thread, the Matter-backed wi-fi protocol particularly designed for IoT units.
“The brand new Matter sensible dwelling connectivity normal provides customers extra alternative and interoperability to attach all kinds of sensible dwelling equipment throughout completely different ecosystems,” Apple’s vice chairman of {Hardware} Engineering and Operations Matthew Costello instructed 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 situated all through the house.”
Apple can be the corporate behind the iPad. Including a touchscreen show to a wise speaker would make sense for the corporate as many individuals already use and like their iPad. It could be a well-known interface and will additionally probably run some standard iPad apps out of the field.
In January, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentioned that Apple has additionally been engaged on a wise show that may very well be used to regulate your sensible dwelling. Basically, it could be a low-end iPad that you would mount on a wall to regulate your lights, thermostat and extra.
It’s unclear whether or not Ming-Chi Kuo is speaking about the identical gadget or not. This sensible dwelling pill may carry the HomePod model, or Apple may very well be engaged on two separate units — a wall-mounted pill and a countertop HomePod with a pill.
