New 'HomePod' With 7-Inch Display, A18 Chip, and More Reportedly Launching Next Year

doelcm82 said:
When I built my Dream Home (only in my dreams--it had 4 floors, made of concrete and steel, and had a lazy river that came indoors), I envisioned an iPad mounted in every room where the light switch would be. It would be running custom software so a single tap would toggle the lights, but it could also control every light, thermostat, camera, etc., in the house.

The wall-mounted control center sounds as if it could fulfill that dream in the modest house I currently own.
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Unfortunately, no mainstream natively supports the dream interface. However, open source Home Assistant is pretty darn close. If only it wasn’t so '#$&@' complicated for people past their prime to program and develop.
 
ghanwani said:
I've always been amazed at how reasonably Apple's products have been priced. How do they manage to pull that off every single time?
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It's a non-portable ipad mini. Every other manufacturer would see it as a reason to price below it, but Apple will charge for the extra material used.
 
It looks and sounds like it will be an Amazon Echo Show knock-off. Our daughter has a 3rd gen. AES 8. The AES is a mature product line by a major brand name vendor with extensive 3rd party add-on product support (e.g.: smart light bulbs) and there's strong incentive to keep the product budget-friendly because Amazon likes to keep our attention on their offerings. Many people who would want such a thing already own and are familiar with the AES.

Unless Apple has some whiz-bang major leap in intuitive functionality over that, it's hard to see their offering gaining large market penetrance. How new and obviously superior functionality will they offer that the Echo Show 8 3rd gen. and 3rd party accessories can offer right now?

Put it this way; Jack buys an Amazon Echo Show 8 3rd gen. and Jill buys this hypothetical new Apple tablet/home pod hybrid thing. Give them 6 months to get familiar with their devices. What advantages will Jill have over Jack?
 
Following up a few random things. IIRC, one poster didn't think there would be demand for this sort of product because people use their iPhones, etc... Not everyone has an iPhone, and many young kids don't. My kid can say 'Alexa, turn off all lights' without entering a code on her iPad or me looking at my iPhone for Face I.D.

Some may wonder what the advantages of a device fixed in one place is over a stand for your iPad. It's that it's fixed in one place, reliably always there. It's not missing because Dad wants to read on the toilet, Sissy is playing online games with her buddies, Mom left it in the car, etc...

I see some people are worried about Amazon over hypothetical 'privacy' concerns. I suspect that's a concern more prevalent on this forum than the mainstream public, which is used to FaceBook and Google collecting data (if they think about it at all).

iZac said:
She used the photo display function and it turns out it siphoned all the photos and videos off her phone to Amazons cloud service without her really understanding what it did.
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A lot of users, particularly the less sophisticated, would consider that a convenience feature, not a worrisome privacy violation.

iZac said:
I tried to disable most of its nefarious ‘features’ as best as I could.
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Such as? I ask because one man's 'worrisome feature' is another man's appreciated convenience (or irrelevant).

You mentioned it showed ad.s; I hardly notice what's on our daughter's unless I want it to do something specific. It's mainly used to turn lights on and off, dim to a %, set color, give time, set timers and our kid asked it things at times.

We're not big 'smart home' people - I just wanted our daughter to grow up accustomed to controlling something (the lights) with verbal commands to a hub, since I suspect that'll be common in her adulthood.
 
It's a cool idea, I just don't really seeing it take off.

It'd be cool if it was just an iPad dock accessory and when your iPad was docked it offered a fixed video display.
 
drrich2 said:
It looks and sounds like it will be an Amazon Echo Show knock-off. Our daughter has a 3rd gen. AES 8. The AES is a mature product line by a major brand name vendor with extensive 3rd party add-on product support (e.g.: smart light bulbs) and there's strong incentive to keep the product budget-friendly because Amazon likes to keep our attention on their offerings. Many people who would want such a thing already own and are familiar with the AES.
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A rumour of a device that we don't know exists and if indeed it does come to fruition is based on an entirely different operating system and levels of security is a knock off? Because it may have a screen and a speaker? How about Ads? If it is such a copy, will it have the same number of ads as the Mature Money Sucking Echo Show?

drrich2 said:
Unless Apple has some whiz-bang major leap in intuitive functionality over that, it's hard to see their offering gaining large market penetrance. How new and obviously superior functionality will they offer that the Echo Show 8 3rd gen. and 3rd party accessories can offer right now?
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Less adverts, more security / privacy, HomeKit integration, better build quality, better sound, more updates.

drrich2 said:
Put it this way; Jack buys an Amazon Echo Show 8 3rd gen. and Jill buys this hypothetical new Apple tablet/home pod hybrid thing. Give them 6 months to get familiar with their devices. What advantages will Jill have over Jack?
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Integrated ecosystem with iPhone, Apple Watch, HomePod, Apple TV. (on top of the security & privacy that Jack doesn't and will never have)

However Jack will have plenty of opportunity to buy directly from his Amazon Portal, give away his data and interact directly with his Amazon Fire TV (no he won't)
 
StoneJack said:
599 dollars for color version and AI ready
299 dollars for black n white dumb version
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Nah, even colour version (the only version) might be less than €299. Cameras, door lock, camera FaceID doorbell, and potentially multiple speaker mount add-ons ensure Apple’s famous pricing ladder. $249, or whatever is the first item in the cart.
 
rembert said:
Still wondering what the added value would be over a second hand iPad Mini and maybe a HomePod Mini if sound quality is an issue. Apple must be cracking something unexpected or else it's another failure - and an incentive to people selling cases to turn an old iPad mini into a homepod-with-a-screen.
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Brand new battery, brand new chip, Apple intelligence, small square size for dedicated home control use with custom tile interface for this use case for multiple locations, without taking up much space, low price for an Apple product. Several custom add-on products that work with this small square display. Designed as an appliance pitched as a dedicated home controller with the addition of AI and camera for when they are needed.
 
Mr_Ed said:
I’ve seen multiple references to kitchen use in threads about this possible device, and my own wife sometimes uses tech in the kitchen so I don’t question that some find value in that.

What I’m not sold on is the form factor (including similar devices from Amazon and such) that includes a screen. When my wife uses something in the kitchen, she props up her iPad (with the help of the case it is in) wherever it is most convenient from where she will be spending most of her time in the kitchen. The location varies based on the nature of the task. She’s not limited by access to an outlet, or power cords, or anything else and enjoys a decent size screen, probably larger than what some of these devices have or would have. Sometimes all she wants is to play her music, she places her favorite portable bluetooth speaker nearby, and iPhone/iPad are not even in sight. She does this when doing things inside, or out in the yard.

The point is, this still sounds to me like a relatively static device that performs functions that would be easily done in mobile devices we already own.
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Not everyone has to own one. My guess is this device is pitched as a home control device with its tiny screen and tiled interface, low price and additional AI features, with many putting it wall mounted, with camera, two speaker mounts, and door lock add-ons available to augment and complement. So people figure out if the device might be of benefit to them and what makes sense for them. Apple would probably put out different suggested use cases to give people ideas. Some people may not want to own an iPad in addition to their giant phone for example, but may like a permanent device in a place such as a kitchen for cooking, and music and answering quick questions in a place it is reliably located. There phone may be charging at times or in another room and they may want a kitchen speaker, a recipe helper, a music player, a quick FaceTime hub for brief calls and messages that may come in.
 
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JDHiro said:
It's a cool idea, I just don't really seeing it take off.

It'd be cool if it was just an iPad dock accessory and when your iPad was docked it offered a fixed video display.
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It’s a HomePad not an iPad. Home controller with additional features. iPad is a more sit down and use device with an OS UX and screen size for this usage. This it more a replacement for your light switch, intercom, traditional radio, with other features. It’s a small out of the way screen that never needs charging and is always in that location for all home members.
 
drrich2 said:
Some may wonder what the advantages of a device fixed in one place is over a stand for your iPad. It's that it's fixed in one place, reliably always there. It's not missing because Dad wants to read on the toilet, Sissy is playing online games with her buddies, Mom left it in the car, etc.
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I won’t be buying one, but a lot don’t get this point.
 
steve09090 said:
A rumour of a device that we don't know exists and if indeed it does come to fruition is based on an entirely different operating system and levels of security is a knock off? Because it may have a screen and a speaker? How about Ads? If it is such a copy, will it have the same number of ads as the Mature Money Sucking Echo Show?
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From the perspective of many consumers, yes, it looks like a knock-off from description and particularly the photo in the story that started this thread. I'm not accusing Apple of something along the lines of plagiarism, rather pointing out their product (if it looks like that and works as some anticipate) will indeed look an Echo-knock-off to many people.
steve09090 said:
Integrated ecosystem with iPhone, Apple Watch, HomePod, Apple TV. (on top of the security & privacy that Jack doesn't and will never have)

However Jack will have plenty of opportunity to buy directly from his Amazon Portal, give away his data and interact directly with his Amazon Fire TV (no he won't)
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I wonder what percentage of the people likely to buy in this market segment are that concerned about hypothetical privacy issues, and what fraction of that fraction aren't already using Amazon for a substantial amount of their online purchases?

I don't dispute that there is a fringe out there of highly privacy-minded people who engage in various resultant practices, but I don't think that segment is large enough for the home hub buying portion to carry this product. Especially if the Echo Show is substantially cheaper.

The integration argument is interesting, especially for people who have Apple watches. With the Amazon ecosystem, one might have 2 or 3 Echo Shows in the home (expensive), or at least in the past they had these cheap little Echo Dot speakers that could receive Alexa commands. But people with Apple Watches and/or iPhones acting as command receivers wouldn't need all that.

But some quick Googling shows Alexa can be used on both Android phones and iPhones. The issue of using an Apple Watch for Alexa looks a bit more...confusing, with mention of a workaround.

So, for mainstream consumers, those already in the Apple Ecosystem might see an edge in usability if Apple manages to offer strong 3rd party device support.

In terms of likely success in the market, the question lingers...are we looking at another Apple Watch/iPhone/iPad/iPod, or another Apple T.V.?
 
Mac Fly (film) said:
Not everyone has to own one. My guess is this device is pitched as a home control device with its tiny screen and tiled interface, low price and additional AI features, with many putting it wall mounted, with camera, two speaker mounts, and door lock add-ons available to augment and complement. So people figure out if the device might be of benefit to them and what makes sense for them. Apple would probably put out different suggested use cases to give people ideas. Some people may not want to own an iPad in addition to their giant phone for example, but may like a permanent device in a place such as a kitchen for cooking, and music and answering quick questions in a place it is reliably located. There phone may be charging at times or in another room and they may want a kitchen speaker, a recipe helper, a music player, a quick FaceTime hub for brief calls and messages that may come in.
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You bring up some interesting points, so I’ll give you my hot take on why Apple would consider a device like this.

I agree that not everyone has the same needs and some may prefer a fixed location. But there is nothing keeping anyone from having a mobile device in a fixed location now. The tiled interface (presumably to simplify home automation interface) is probably not much of a factor unless you plan to control a fair number of devices.

So what reason does Apple have for considering a device like this one? Do they think they will “bring order” to the Home Automation market that has been around for years and remains fractured across protocols and standards without also entering the smart device (lights, cameras, locks, wall switches, window blinds, etc.) market and having to compete on price as well as features?

If Apple tried to produce such a device without its AI, it could be reasonably priced because none of the remaining functionality requires a lot of computational resources. As of now, any Apple device with Apple Intelligence requires at least an A17 Pro or M1 plus whatever amount of RAM, so I don’t think “low cost device” is a priority for Apple. Has it ever been, though? I really don’t see your suggestion this would have “low price and additional AI features” as a possibility. It would be one or the other.

Sure, they could do Apple Intelligence off-device for this device but then risk tarnishing perceptions of it being more secure than competitors, plus they would further muddy whatever “Apple Intelligence” actually means to the point consumers would need to read the fine print every time they buy an Apple device to see which flavor of AI they are buying.

Apple could do some sort of home automation dock for your existing devices that they could use to stoke added interest in its mobile devices, while playing up how nice it would be for your wallet and for the environment to extend the useful life of devices you already own. And we know how Apple just LOOOOOVES Mother Nature! Availability of advanced AI features could remain optional and dependent on the device you plug into it without mucking anything up market-wise. The speaker mounts, wall mount option, and all other things you mentioned could be there AND it really could be relatively low priced.

If rumors like this one come to fruition and Apple chooses to build a more complex device (with touch screen, camera, etc.) it will not be low priced because they will be using it as just another vector for getting their AI into consumers’ hands and show investors they are firmly in the AI bandwagon. The price will be driven by the requirements of Apple Intelligence.
 
First off, I have my screens with me. My watch and iPhone. The most used home control is the watch crown. A push crown gives a command, all done no matter where I am in the house. I have Sonos speakers, so I don't need any more sound. What is needed is a box with AI smarts that unloads the burdens of home automation from my other devices. Please offer a couple of price and functionality options. A controller box, no screen no speaker would do nicely.
 
You want a speaker to be a speaker, not another wasted LED display to control other Home Kit accessories. Keep It Simple Stupid is a standard practice for all Engineering Disciplines.

Learn to remember that Apple. You had a decade to produce a C-cable ready Thermostat with a central Interface for the HomeKit and you haven't done so. Why not? Does it need some absurd Micro-LED display? No. Does it need FaceID? No, does it need to be a central Intercom for the home? No.

It needs to control lights, automate audio and manage room temperature. We don't need an AI Assistant telling us the current Weather forecast and latest crap news from News.
 
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