Joe Rossignol
Apple is planning to release a new “HomePod” with a 7-inch LCD display, an A18 chip, and support for Apple Intelligence in 2025, according to DigiTimes.
Google’s Nest Hub
It’s unclear how much the HomePod with a screen will cost, but Apple appears to be aiming for a reasonable price. In a paid report this week, the supply chain publication reported that Apple has chosen Chinese manufacturer Tianma to supply the LCD panels for the device at an “extremely competitive” price of $10 per panel. The low cost of this component will likely contribute to the device being more affordable.
There have been several rumors of a HomePod with a screen over the past few years. Earlier this month, for example, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo similarly said that a HomePod with a 6- to 7-inch display, an A18 chip, and support for Apple Intelligence would enter mass production in the second half of 2025. Kuo said that smart home capabilities would be a core aspect of the device, so it appears that the rumors of a HomePod with a screen and the rumors of Apple’s smart home hub, which is said to be coming next year, are referring to the same product.
Last month, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said that Apple’s smart home hub looks like a “square iPad” with a roughly 6-inch screen. He said the hub could be attached to a tabletop base with a speaker or mounted on a wall. It will run a new “homeOS” operating system with a customizable widget-focused home screen and revolve around Siri, Apple Intelligence, and HomeKit, he added. The hub can also be used as a home security system, displaying camera footage, and is said to have a built-in camera that allows for FaceTime video calls.
Apple’s hub will compete with products like Google’s Nest Hub and Amazon’s Echo Show, which cost between $150 and $400. Kuo and Gurman both said Apple is also planning a wireless security camera that will work with the hub.
It’s unclear whether Apple will actually use the HomePod branding for the home hub or go with a completely new name. It’s also unclear whether the current HomePod speaker will be updated next year, but a new HomePod mini is expected to launch next year.
Related review: HomePodTags: Apple Command Center Guide, DigiTimesBuyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)[ 159 comments ]
