Apple Developing New 'HomePod' Models With Screens and Cameras

[MacRumors]

In a report today focused on an unactivated temperature/humidity sensor in the HomePod mini, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman briefly mentioned that Apple has "been developing new speakers with screens and cameras."

This reporting suggests that Apple could be at least exploring the idea of new HomePod models with a display and camera to compete with the likes of Google's Nest Hub Max, Amazon's Echo Show, and Facebook's Portal, but Gurman cautions that "a launch isn't imminent," so there is no guarantee that Apple will release such a product.

Google's Nest Hub Max, for example, is equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen that can also be controlled by voice with Google Assistant. The Nest Hub Max allows users to view daily info like the weather and calendar appointments, stream video from Netflix and other sources with built-in Chromecast, play music through the stereo speaker system, make video calls using the built-in 6.5-megapixel camera, control smart home accessories, and more.

The Nest Hub Max also functions as a "smart digital picture frame" for photo albums, and it can display a live video feed from Nest cameras and video doorbells, making it suitable for a kitchen countertop or bedside table.

Apple's camera-equipped HomePod would presumably offer similar functionality like FaceTime video calling and HomeKit integration if it ever comes to market.

Earlier this month, Apple announced that it is discontinuing the full-size HomePod and shifting its focus to the HomePod mini. Gurman said that Apple still lacks a "unifying strategy" for the smart home market, with some people within the company apparently blaming the lack of progress on Siri's shortcomings compared to Google Assistant and Alexa. Whether new HomePod models with screens and cameras come to fruition remains to be seen.

Article Link: Apple Developing New 'HomePod' Models With Screens and Cameras

 

[jerry16]

This would be a game changer for HomeKit. A central hub to adjust lights, temp, view cameras etc. I really hope this comes to fruition.

 

[adamw]

Bring it on. Using the Apple ecosystem in an Echo Show like device would be welcome!

 

[BMox81]

Instant buy.

 

[FSMBP]

That would be a great control-center concept (with HomeKit on the screen) and everything. If they can figure out how to make it 'affordable' (less than $199), that would be a nice addition.

 

[JCoe13]

Would love this, but also think that a focus on Siri is needed if they want these to succeed. My HomePods sound amazing, but they're more than just a speaker and need to perform as such.

 

[shawngt2]

Apple, my lord...Why do you have to be so late in the game?This will likely take them a good 1-2 years to develop and by that time there is new tech and people moved on and you have to cancel that too. Like making a mini HomePod should have been the FIRST product years ago. I love my large HomePod, but it was quite frustrating to not be able to expand all around the house without a significant footprint and high price...The entire HomePod team needs a shuffle and head shake.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Effing fix Siri.

Cue those who say it works all the time for them. I call BS.

 

[Cosmosent]

They need something specifically for the Elderly, & they can certainly use Silicon Valley as a testbed !

It's something I think Steve Jobs would have created already.

Something super easy to use, & with just a few key voice commands.

 

[mediacomposer]

Please make this happen Apple - in a 5” and 8” size - I’d love to throw my echos off a cliff - they’re just a shell of what they should be and their day to day hard to get working with all my homekit smart home devices - pleaseeee just make a killer device to fill this gap!

 

[LeeW]

So, an iPad with a big speaker. But different... And besides, within two years? Unlikely.

 

[dantracht]

Precisely why I resisted the urge to buy up a discontinued HomePod or two, I want to wait to see what's next, if anything. Until then, loving the 2 mini's I have and will probably snag another.

 

[and 1989 others]

If you mount your ipad in front of a HomePod. You already have one of these devices.

 

[Dorv]

Effing fix Siri.

Cue those who say it works all the time for them. I call BS.

Maybe it's that I only use it for a limited scope of things (Controlling Homekit devices primarily), but yeah, it works for me all the time.

 

[ruka.snow]

With a screen sounds good. Even better if they could eventually get smart meters to work with that instead of being their own thing.

 

[ddtmm]

A HomePod with an iPad attached. It will be expensive undoubtedly, but nothing is going to work for them until they improve Siri. When you compare the abilities of Google assistant to Siri, Siri is hands down in beta still. They dropped the ball there, to th epoint that I don;t think they can catch up.

 

[julesme]

This makes sense - Apple won't simply discontinue their full size smart speaker without a replacement. They are about as likely to discontinue the iPad or the Watch, in my opinion.

Voice is the future of computing, and a decade from now, there will more HomePod SKUs, not fewer.

 

[Stecchino]

Instant buy

 

[ceriess]

What a bunch of drivel. We already have too many screens.

In a report today focused on an unactivated temperature/humidity sensor in the HomePod mini, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman briefly mentioned that Apple has "been developing new speakers with screens and cameras."

This reporting suggests that Apple could be at least exploring the idea of new HomePod models with a display and camera to compete with the likes of Google's Nest Hub Max, Amazon's Echo Show, and Facebook's Portal, but Gurman cautions that "a launch isn't imminent," so there is no guarantee that Apple will release such a product.

Google's Nest Hub Max, for example, is equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen that can also be controlled by voice with Google Assistant. The Nest Hub Max allows users to view daily info like the weather and calendar appointments, stream video from Netflix and other sources with built-in Chromecast, play music through the stereo speaker system, make video calls using the built-in 6.5-megapixel camera, control smart home accessories, and more.

The Nest Hub Max also functions as a "smart digital picture frame" for photo albums, and it can display a live video feed from Nest cameras and video doorbells, making it suitable for a kitchen countertop or bedside table.

Apple's camera-equipped HomePod would presumably offer similar functionality like FaceTime video calling and HomeKit integration if it ever comes to market.

Earlier this month, Apple announced that it is discontinuing the full-size HomePod and shifting its focus to the HomePod mini. Gurman said that Apple still lacks a "unifying strategy" for the smart home market, with some people within the company apparently blaming the lack of progress on Siri's shortcomings compared to Google Assistant and Alexa. Whether new HomePod models with screens and cameras come to fruition remains to be seen.

Article Link: Apple Developing New 'HomePod' Models With Screens and Cameras

 

[LoadStar]

Why not update the iPad with MagSafe, then make a "MagSafe HomePod Base" that would work with either iPad or iPhone, and make it work like a HomePod?

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Rumored for the HomePod Max. It’s supposed to have a small exterior screen to where you can text and pretty much use it like an iPod Touch because of how small it’s going to be. Think of it like a Google Home Mini in a rectangle with a screen on it.

 

[adamjackson]

If this thing is $499, it means they didn't choose a new strategy that was the fate of the original HomePod.

I'll still buy one because I'm a huge fanboy and love Apple but this thing needs to compete with Amazon's Show which costs $99.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Rumored for the HomePod Max. It’s supposed to have a small exterior screen to where you can text and pretty much use it like an iPod Touch because of how small it’s going to be. Think of it like a Google Home Mini in a rectangle with a screen on it.

 

[ian87w]

with a display and camera

Isn't that basically an iPad?

 

[Christoffee]

Effing fix Siri.

Cue those who say it works all the time for them. I call BS.

I have Alexas at home and CarPlay in my car. Whenever I ask Siri anything it says it can’t show it to me when I’m driving. Does the HomePod do something similar? Does it say it has no screen so can’t answer?