Apple’s HomePod is a kind of merchandise that’s typically left us scratching our heads as to precisely what the corporate is as much as. Regardless of frequent rumors about highly effective new HomePod fashions on the horizon over the previous few years, what we preserve seeing out of Cupertino is way extra pedestrian — and infrequently downright perplexing.
The unique HomePod got here alongside in early 2018 and remained Apple’s sole foray into the good speaker marketplace for over two years. In that point, we noticed plenty of loopy hypothesis on what a “HomePod 2” might seem like; as an alternative, what we bought was the smaller HomePod mini in late 2020, adopted by the discontinuation of the full-sized HomePod six months later.
That transfer seemingly got here out of nowhere, main some to consider Apple was giving up on the premium good speaker market. It was additionally very sudden, contemplating that the 2021 Apple TV 4K got here alongside three months later with unique options for the speaker that Apple had simply discontinued.
Apple rectified this with a brand new full-sized HomePod earlier this 12 months — a follow-up that was nearly indistinguishable visually from the unique and much from the extra unique variations that leakers had been predicting.
However, as uninspired because the second-generation HomePod was, it shouldn’t be taken to imply that Apple isn’t engaged on one thing extra thrilling. At most, the brand new HomePod was launched to tide us over, and rumors persist that we’ll ultimately see a “HomePod Professional” — or not less than a HomePod with a display.
Idea artists have had a variety of enjoyable with that notion, creating mockups of a tool that appears rather more like a Google Nest, Amazon Alexa, or only a HomePod with an iPad connected. Nevertheless, a brand new set of leaked photos means that the brand new “HomePod-with-a-screen” might look remarkably just like the HomePod we’ve already come to know and love.
Apple collector Kosutami not too long ago got here throughout some elements from an unreleased HomePod that present a glass LCD touchscreen on high the place the standing LED would usually be.
Whereas Kosutami believes this can be a current prototype, as they’re related in development to the second-generation HomePod, they assumed it might be a mannequin that Apple tried and deserted, selecting to stay with the older design as an alternative.
Nevertheless, the parents at 9to5Mac have independently confirmed with their sources that this isn’t an deserted thought however truly an “advanced-stage prototype” that has an inner codename of B720 and is being “actively labored on by Apple.”
There’s nonetheless no assure that Apple plans to launch this as an precise product, but when so, it could be simply across the nook for the reason that improvement seems to be fairly far alongside. It’s unclear how previous the photographs in query are, however assuming they’re current — and that Apple decides to maneuver forward — early subsequent 12 months looks like an affordable timeframe for the design to maneuver by way of the required engineering validation check (EVT) phases and enter mass manufacturing.
This could line up with the timeline that analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared earlier this 12 months when he found that Apple had contracted with a brand new provider who would offer shows particularly for a HomePod. Whereas Kuo predictions have typically been speculative in current months, this one appeared to have some tooth; since HomePods have by no means had shows prior to now, a brand new show provider for the HomePod was important information.
As to what the show could be used for, 9to5Mac has discovered that Apple has been modifying a few of its tvOS apps to work on totally different show codecs, particularly Apple Music and Apple Podcasts, which is uncommon for the reason that Apple TV doesn’t usually have to work with something greater than commonplace tv units. Nevertheless, the HomePod additionally runs tvOS beneath the hood.
However, the show might not present rather more than notifications and animations, with sources saying that the HomePod show is designed to “present a blurred animation primarily based on the colours of the album artwork when a music or podcast is enjoying.” This doesn’t appear meant to be the extra refined Echo-like Residence Hub many have hoped for.
Primarily based on the rumors we’ve heard through the years and the best way Apple rolls, there’s cause to consider that the corporate might have deliberate to have this LCD-equipped HomePod prepared for launch a lot sooner however determined to create and launch the extra fundamental second-generation HomePod when plans for the extra refined one fell behind. In any case, Apple runs lean and imply in the case of product engineering groups, and it’s clearly had a lot larger fish to fry over the previous couple of years; it’s not unusual for the corporate to shift personnel away from lower-priority tasks — which the HomePod would undoubtedly qualify as.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]