Apple rumored to launch HomePod with screen in 2024

Following the surprise return of the HomePod smart speaker earlier this year, there are reports suggesting Apple could launch a new model in 2024 to take on the Amazon Echo Show.

The HomePod line

Alongside its iPad tablets, Mac computers, and other tech, Apple also produces a range of smart speakers called HomePods, the most recent of which is the HomePod 2. The devices are very sonically capable – in our HomePod 2 review we said they deliver “mind-blowing” sound that trumps most other smart speakers, although we also noted that they feel a little too locked into the Apple ecosystem, and are pretty pricey.

The need for a screen

The HomePod line also currently lacks an answer to the likes of Amazon’s Echo Show smart displays, which are effectively screens attached to smart speakers. Alongside the typical functionality of a smart speaker, a smart display can use its screen to visually relay information. This can include showing you a video feed from your smart home cameras, a recipe while you cook a meal, or content from some of the best streaming services.

The rumors

According to Ming-Chi Kuo – an Apple analyst with a strong track record for accurate leaks – Apple could be looking to fill this gap in its lineup in 2024 by launching a HomePod with a screen.

Apple Partners with Tianma for Revamped Smart Home Strategy

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known Apple analyst, the tech giant is partnering with Tianma, a Chinese display manufacturer, as part of its “revamped smart home strategy.” This collaboration is expected to result in the launch of a HomePod with a 7-inch screen in the first half of 2024. The new product will enable “tighter integration with Apple’s other hardware,” Kuo predicts.

Tianma is a leading manufacturer of small and medium-sized displays, with a strong focus on OLED technology. The company has been supplying displays to Apple for several years, but this new partnership is expected to deepen their relationship.

The HomePod with a 7-inch screen is expected to be a significant upgrade from the current HomePod, which only has a small display on top. The new product is expected to have a larger screen, which will enable users to interact with it more easily. It will also likely have more advanced features, such as facial recognition and voice control.

The HomePod with a 7-inch screen is expected to be a key part of Apple’s smart home strategy, which is focused on creating a seamless and integrated experience for users. The new product will likely be compatible with other Apple devices, such as the iPhone and iPad, and will be able to control other smart home devices, such as lights and thermostats.

Overall, the partnership between Apple and Tianma is an exciting development for the smart home industry. With the launch of the HomePod with a 7-inch screen, Apple is expected to take a significant step forward in its efforts to create a more integrated and seamless smart home experience for users.

HomePod with Screen: What We Know So Far

Rumors have been circulating that Apple is working on a HomePod with a screen, and now a new report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that the device could be released in 2023. Kuo also predicts that the HomePod with a screen will have “tighter integration” with other Apple devices, which could make it a more attractive option than Amazon’s Echo Show or Google’s Nest Hub.

One advantage we expect a HomePod with a screen would likely offer over Amazon’s smart displays is better sound. A common theme of our Amazon Echo show reviews – including our Amazon Echo Show 15 review and Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd generation) review – is that the devices have lackluster audio capabilities. Audio is the one area where HomePods have excelled, and we’d expect a HomePod with a screen to continue this trend.

We’ll have to wait and see if Kuo is correct with his prediction, and also to find out exactly what he means by “tighter integration” – perhaps you’ll be able to use the HomePod to Face Time someone on an iPhone or iPad, or manage your phone’s files and notifications from smart display.

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What to Expect from the HomePod with Screen

Apple is rumored to be working on a HomePod with a screen, which could be released in 2023. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the HomePod with a screen will have “tighter integration” with other Apple devices, making it a more attractive option than Amazon’s Echo Show or Google’s Nest Hub.

Better Sound Quality

One advantage we expect a HomePod with a screen would likely offer over Amazon’s smart displays is better sound. A common theme of our Amazon Echo show reviews – including our Amazon Echo Show 15 review and Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd generation) review – is that the devices have lackluster audio capabilities. Audio is the one area where HomePods have excelled, and we’d expect a HomePod with a screen to continue this trend.

Tighter Integration with Other Apple Devices

According to Kuo, the HomePod with a screen will have “tighter integration” with other Apple devices. This could mean that you’ll be able to use the HomePod to FaceTime someone on an iPhone or iPad, or manage your phone’s files and notifications from the smart display. We’ll have to wait and see exactly what Kuo means by “tighter integration.”

Conclusion

While we’ll have to wait until 2023 to see if Apple releases a HomePod with a screen, the rumors and predictions from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo are certainly intriguing. If the device does come to fruition, it could offer better sound quality than Amazon’s Echo Show and tighter integration with other Apple devices. Stay tuned for more updates on the HomePod with a screen.