Leak Confirms Apple's Work On 'Home Accessory'

[MacRumors]

Code discovered on Apple's backend by MacRumors confirms Apple is indeed working on a long-rumored home accessory in addition to the HomePod and Apple TV.

The code references a device with the identifier "HomeAccessory17,1," which is a new identifier category. The name is similar to the HomePod's "AudioAccessory" identifier.

Interestingly, the 17,1 in the identifier name suggests that this device may receive Apple's upcoming A18 chip, which will be used in all four iPhone 16 models later this year. With the A18 chip, the HomeAccessory device would have the power for Apple Intelligence.

The code also indicates that this "home accessory" will be running a software variant of tvOS, much like the HomePod. Earlier this year, MacRumors found evidence of Apple's work on homeOS, which could be the firmware running on this device.

On a similar note, the code also references two unreleased Apple TV models with the identifiers AppleTV14,4 and AppleTV14,5. Rumors suggest that an updated Apple TV could launch in 2024.

Apple is expected to announce new iPhones, iPads, and potentially other products in September.

(Thanks Nicolás Alvarez!)

Article Link: Leak Confirms Apple's Work On 'Home Accessory'

 

[Icehawk]

Cool. Parents got an Echo years ago. They don't use it for much, but having something similar that is connected to all their apple stuff would rock, for the right price.

meanwhile, I'm glad to hear references to a new Apple TV. Want one but would rather wait for an updated one.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Ha! It's funny, but I have a half-completed one of those [pictured] in my workshop at the moment.

 

[Realityck]

The code also indicates that this "home accessory" will be running a software variant of tvOS, much like the HomePod. Earlier this year, MacRumors found evidence of Apple's work on homeOS, which could be the firmware running on this device.

Well tvOS is just a variant of iOS as is iPadOS, VisioOS. I would think Apple would be more inclined to make a adaption of the Mac mini since it could have HDMI out supporting Atmos, in a small form package. tvOS is just a 24/7 device, always on or standby. It's still using the A SoC's, but will that continue if they want to make it more useful/capable for a home 24/7 device that substantiates this rumor?

 

[kiranmk2]

I wonder how an Apple Intelligence Homepod is going to work. I imagine it will be similarly split between common Apple-based "tasks" that will be done on-device or via the Apple LLM, but I can also see a lot of usage for conversational discovery which will be done at ChatGPT (or Bard etc). I can foresee the line "would you like me to send that to ChatGPT?" being uttered a lot...

 

[EugW]

If it actually looked like that, I'd consider buying one, even though I have no use for it.

Ha! It's funny, but I have a half-completed one of those [pictured] in my workshop at the moment.

What are you making? Any pix, or a thread on it?

 

[turbineseaplane]

They should make iMacs like that again

It was the best iMac design ever IMO

Loved how you could just finger touch move the screen around/up/down, etc

 

[CharlesShaw]

One person living and working alone here, counting seven devices with screens that are considered essential, so what's one more, bring it on.

 

[Alwaysfindsaway]

Nice! A home accessory with artificial intelligence would be cool!

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Could be a HomePod replacement.

 

[mapsdotapp]

On a similar note, the code also references two unreleased Apple TV models with the identifiers AppleTV14,4 and AppleTV14,5. Rumors suggest that an updated Apple TV could launch in 2024.

Please just put out an Apple TV with an M series chip. Why wouldn't Apple want to compete in the console space?

 

[maxfromdenmark]

The graphic used to all the rumors about new Apple TV/home accessory is horrible. I believe Apple still has more creative designers.

 

[goonie4life9]

Folks, don't fall for the tutti-frutti, phoney-baloney, plastic banana, good time, rock-n-roll Apple PR "leaks." Apple didn't leave all this information in the "backend system" by accident. This is classic Apple PR trying to hype the product pipeline, showing how "bleeding edge" they are when they have to suddenly "delay" a product because "it just wasn't ready to delight out customers."

 

[Cervisia]

So.. an ipad with a stand, but welded together? What am I missing?

 

[turbineseaplane]

So.. an ipad with a stand, but welded together? What am I missing?

... and AI too

"yay"

 

[dpfenninger]

Make a HomePod with screen that looks just like that, like the old iMac G4s, and I would buy one in a heartbeat.

 

[appleguy123]

This design plus Apple intelligence would make me replace all 5 OG HomePods in my house. Hope it happens soon because they are becoming pretty deaf.

 

[now i see it]

iMicrowave?
iBlender?
iToaster?
iVacuum?
iFan?

 

[Premium1]

Wish they would make a soundbar with built in ATV. could cut down on all the needed "devices" and could put a beefier chip to run AI as well as future proof it.

 

[Jay Tee]

That's one way you'd get me to buy an iPad again !

 

[subjonas]

Glad it’s expected to be in addition to HomePod and Apple TV, instead of replacing.

 

[2761216]

If it actually looked like that, I'd consider buying one, even though I have no use for it.

Seriously? That looks uglier than the 3rd cousin of Echo dot and Google Home’s first love child.

 

[2761216]

Wish they would make a soundbar with built in ATV. could cut down on all the needed "devices" and could put a beefier chip to run AI as well as future proof it.

Are you ready to pay 2k+ for it though?

 

[CJM]

They should make iMacs like that again

It was the best iMac design ever IMO

Loved how you could just finger touch move the screen around/up/down, etc

They’d charge you £1000 just for the hinge.

 

[Premium1]

Are you ready to pay 2k+ for it though?

Only apple would try to charge $2K for that setup...