Future HomePod Again Rumored to Add Curved LCD Display

[MacRumors]

Apple is continuing work on a new HomePod model that features a curved LCD display, according to the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami."

The device, codenamed B720, apparently features the same design as the current HomePod but with a curved, convex LCD screen at the top to display content.

In October, Kosutami shared images of component parts that allegedly belong to a prototype touch screen HomePod. Other reports at the time claimed to verify the legitimacy of these images with other sources.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1739573100604477766

Apple is believed to be working to adapt Apple Music and Apple Podcasts to be compatible with the new display, which will show a blurred animation based on the colors of the album art when a song or podcast is playing. The screen could also potentially show important notifications.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman was first to suggest in 2021 that Apple is working on new HomePods with displays and cameras. Earlier this year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed Apple plans to release a redesigned HomePod with a 7-inch display in the first half of 2024.

In the long term, Apple is believed to be rethinking its smart home strategy, and is working on a combined Apple TV and HomePod device, as well as a HomePod with a screen mounted on a robotic arm, according to a Gurman.

Article Link: Future HomePod Again Rumored to Add Curved LCD Display

 

[Coldsmoke55]

Whoopty-fricken-doo, they are putting a curved display on the HomePod.
I wonder if they have corrected the high failure rate of the power supply and/or made the device easier to repair?
Now THAT would be something worth reporting.

 

[abatabia]

Sounds lovely but after the endless issues I’ve had with my HomePods since HomePod OS 16 and especially 17, they’ll have to make my current HomePod fleet reliable before I ever consider buying one again. I even have a senior engineering team working on endless issues.

 

[uller6]

Or, you know, make Siri respond correctly to queries. It’s pretty embarrassing that they can’t seem to fix Siri - it’s been abysmal for years.

 

[abatabia]

Whoopty-fricken-doo, they are putting a curved display on the HomePod.
I wonder if they have corrected the high failure rate of the power supply and/or made the device easier to repair?
Now THAT would be something worth reporting.

Funny you should say that. One of my OG went to that big HomePod in the sky a few months back.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't care about a display on the HomePod Gen 2. I care about integration and good sound quality.

 

[zoozx]

So many issue's

Siri is total crap
Overpriced
Not reliable
Sound quality

But we are making a curved display,....Really?
Hopefully new emoji's are coming...:/

 

[zach-coleman]

I do not understand the function of this at all. Why would I walk over to look down at the display when I could just talk to it? How often do you comfortably stand above a HomePod?

 

[Kraszim]

But we are making a curved display,....Really?

I'm sure they are working on those as well, but you can't sell new homepods based on "this one isn't ****" premise so they need to add something new as well.

 

[Calle68]

Curved display, same Siri. Nope.

 

[swiftapplefan]

It would be useful for it to be StandBy like for that 7” HomePod, and if they have to use a circular display for the Mini, adapt some kind kind of circular interface: for example, the progress bar would wrap around the display’s circumference, and when not use display an adaptation of the circular Watch faces. These are a few ideas.

 

[madeirabhoy]

Whoopty-fricken-doo, they are putting a curved display on the HomePod.
I wonder if they have corrected the high failure rate of the power supply and/or made the device easier to repair?
Now THAT would be something worth reporting.

it’s not just a curved display though. It’s a curved display that will show blurry animations!

 

[MauiPa]

So many issue's

Siri is total crap
Overpriced
Not reliable
Sound quality

But we are making a curved display,....Really?
Hopefully new emoji's are coming...:/

or none of the above. Siri works great for me, price is competitive for quality, I do not have any reliability problems whatsoever, and sound quality is fantastic. (way better than the cheaper Sonos, not as good as the expensive Sonos) I have two original HomePods, got updated to 17.2 (I wasn't expecting they would be updatable). 4 minis, and just bought 2 second generation HomePods refurbs - sorry haters, they are awesome!

 

[MauiPa]

Funny you should say that. One of my OG went to that big HomePod in the sky a few months back.

I had one "fail" when Apple released a bad beta that caused it to get hot. I stuck it in closet and put in a support ticket. The day Apple called me back, I plugged it in and it was working (maybe something trips when they get hot?). Now I am on latest 17.2 software and am continuously pleased with the function and sound quality.

 

[Karma*Police]

Apple is so lost. Making Siri better should be it’s number 1 goal for a smart home strategy.

And putting a display on HomePod is just lipstick on a pig. A better Siri would negate the need for a display in most cases. There are too many queries where Siri tells me to check my iPhone.

 

[MauiPa]

Whoopty-fricken-doo, they are putting a curved display on the HomePod.
I wonder if they have corrected the high failure rate of the power supply and/or made the device easier to repair?
Now THAT would be something worth reporting.

maybe you can point to a legitimate article on failure rate? I am completely with you on repairability. My biggest pet peeve on electronics in general is why put the power supply inside the unit at all? It just leads to heat build up, and cooling issues, makes it very cramped inside, and serves no identifiable purpose. Laptops, HomePod Minis, and lots of devices have external Power supplies, keeps heat away, and if power supply is wonky, just get a new one.

I don't personally own a Mac Studio, so this is simply hearsay. some people say the fans inside the Studio whistle as they draw air through the cooling ports. Well, if they used an external power supply - less heat, smaller fans, no whistle, overall better design, longer life.

 

[blaureiter]

One does feel like Apple has lost its way:
Siri was introduced 12 years ago - Apple had a great leap ahead of other companies and then became a laggard.
HomePod was a great advance in sound but then they only marginally integrated it with HomeKit. Try keeping two HomePod Mini playing the same source - they often want to take turns. Or play something else from Apple Music.

There are just so many basic issues with the Apple eco-system that need remediation but the company prefers to ignore and move to the next big thing: Apple Vision Pro.

 

[Piggie]

I do not understand the function of this at all. Why would I walk over to look down at the display when I could just talk to it? How often do you comfortably stand above a HomePod?

Exactly.

I cannot believe the engineers at Apple are not able to understand the fundamental failure of a screen in this location.

So you have a Speaker on a shelf, on a desk etc, and you would like to see information on it's screen.
Perhaps the time? Perhaps an answer to some question? Perhaps lyrics for a song that's playing.

So where would you want a screen to be?
1: On the side, so you can view the screen from where you are sitting?
2: On the top, facing the ceiling, so you cannot see anything unless you walk over to it, and look down onto the screen.

Please for the love of god, tell me, that at least someone at Apple has the intellect and perhaps bravery to stand up and explain this would be a dumb place for a screen in real world usage.

Sure, it will look fine in a store display when you are standing next to it, and also fine in a demo/presentation when you are standing/sitting right up next to it.

But in real homes with real people..... Nope.

Please Apple, stop and actually think before you build it.

 

[zilchfox]

Am I the only one who wants to use this for just music and sound? A screen would not give me any reason to upgrade from my 1st gen HomePods, which I’ve set up with my TV via eARC.

 

[alphaswift]

I am highly interested to move off of my Alexa-fail setup but this needs to be much cheaper.

 

[ApAx]

What colors will show when “hey Siri” commands fail six times in a row?

 

[DocMultimedia]

or none of the above. Siri works great for me, price is competitive for quality, I do not have any reliability problems whatsoever, and sound quality is fantastic. (way better than the cheaper Sonos, not as good as the expensive Sonos) I have two original HomePods, got updated to 17.2 (I wasn't expecting they would be updatable). 4 minis, and just bought 2 second generation HomePods refurbs - sorry haters, they are awesome!

Ditto. I love my original pair and I've never had a single issue.

 

[The Game 161]

need to get Siri right though and it better be improved for iOS 18

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

And the price will rocket for a sub standard smart speaker

Will be keeping my Echo Studio

 

[theinstructor]

They should simply add Apple Music streaming to their list of requirements instead. It will not stream podcasts or radio stations from their own app.

Hey Apple I fixed it for you, since your QA team could not. Simply stream a song from your library FIRST then switch to the radio station channel in Apple Music and it plays! I’m so amazing!