This would be nice if I had an old spare iPad that I could dedicate to a room (can’t one already buy a speaker dock for an iPad and run a dock mode app though?), but I wouldn’t really want to dock my main iPads (13” and Mini) which are constantly moving around inside and outside my home. Much like desktop Macs and HomePods, part of the advantage of this rumored stationary screen would be that it’s stationary and always there when you need it in the place you usually need it and expect it, no hunting around. I definitely don’t want all my HomePods to have a screen, but there are times when I don’t have my phone or iPad on me and would appreciate if say my kitchen HomePod had a screen that I could glance at for quick info. I would prefer Apple continues making regular HomePods without screens too though. Those are more important to me than screen HomePods.
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Hints of HomePod With Screen Found in iOS 26
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So basically it'll be a smart alarm clock lol. Has a small screen with stripped down apps/widgets like weather, notifications, calender, phone?, news, siri, and apple music, on top of all the existing homepod functions. Maybe they'll open it up to 3rd party apps so you can have spotify or audiobooks etc
Not a bad product tbh, as long as it comes in different colors and stays under $200.
Not a bad product tbh, as long as it comes in different colors and stays under $200.
Indeed. And look at the front edge of the desk which must have been “sanded” by gen AI …
What if Apple stuck messages in OS betas just to throw us?
"Your 8K iMac..."
"Please open all folds on your iPhone's screen"
etc. etc.
"Your 8K iMac..."
"Please open all folds on your iPhone's screen"
etc. etc.
If you wanna be real technical, the Home app on the screen is the old design. But let's be honest, this is just a quick mockup.
I'll certainly buy one. When I'm gone from home for months at a time this would be good for those that pop in to take care of things.
It would really be nice if it did have a camera for both FaceTime and also if it could do security recordings.
It would really be nice if it did have a camera for both FaceTime and also if it could do security recordings.
I guess if you don't already have a HomePod or HomePod Mini in use as a HomeKit hub, it might be of interest. But if it's going to cost as much as an iPad, and you can get New In Box HomePod Minis on ebay for $60 (which I did), the rest of the money you don't spend could be deployed on a nice case of Francis Ford Coppola Cabernet! Or a second iPad to use as a hub with a screen!
Except Apple made a name for itself by selling a higher quality user experience than those offered by competitors. Modern Apple has been migrating toward selling an image (omg only poor people use Android). They are the corporate embodiment of rock stars who believe their fanbase will buy anything they put out even if their next album is a mediocre single and 14 tracks of filler.
It is a hub for a smart home for one. There are plenty of us that use HomeKit and I for one am excited about this device. You don't see the need? Great. I just think you are being a little close minded.
Would be great if HomeKit had a wider support of products to start with. Now why would I use a screen controller fixed to a point in the flat when I need to use any of my device closer to me at the time like my watch phone iPad ?!!!
It blows my mind when people ask questions like this. I guess I just expect more creativity and critical thinking, out of people, then what is fair.
I see the “always charged” benefit, the always where I need it benefit, the streamlined interface to get to certain information or controls. Always having my calendar visible while making breakfast in the morning or while in the bathroom getting ready…. Just some examples.
I personally find the questioning healthy and on its own right as your opinion to find this device useful for your needs … I don’t …
This is Tim’s plan. An ecosystem of products that don’t play nice with anything outside the ecosystem. Anticompetitive bullying and taking advantage of all stakeholders except the shareholders.
Pretty much why I don't want to be locked into Apple's ecosystem. Plus that from my humble opinion what Apple produce today - with Tim Cook - is not essentially for the customer, but for the shareholder's interest in first hand.
I still love my Mac's, my iPhone mini, and the iPad's without Siri - that's it.
We still have only vague rumors about what this product is let alone what features it might have. I’m excited to see what they release regardless of whether I’ll buy it.
I like this render of the device better than the screen-on-a-blob that was floating around earlier.