New Version of Original HomePod to Return Next Year

[MacRumors]

Apple is likely to release a successor to the original HomePod next year that will feature a new display on top supporting new touch interactions, according to Mark Gurman.

Writing in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, the Bloomberg journalist says the smart speaker will have a similar size and boast comparable audio quality as the original, now discontinued HomePod, and will be powered by the future Apple Watch Series 8 chip, the S8 processor.

The HomePod, code-named B620, will run the same S8 chip coming to the watches and will be closer to the original HomePod in terms of size and audio performance rather than a new HomePod mini. The new HomePod will have an updated display on top and there's even been some talk of multi-touch functionality.

According to Gurman, the S8 chip in the new HomePod will have the same specifications as the S7 chip, which was also the same as the S6 used in 2020's Apple Watch Series 6. For context, the current HomePod mini uses the S5 chip that was introduced with Apple Watch Series 5.

In 2021, Gurman reported that Apple shelved plans for a direct successor to the HomePod that was originally scheduled to launch in 2022. Since then, Gurman has reported that Apple is working on new HomePod models with a display and a camera to compete with the likes of Amazon's Echo Show and Facebook's Portal, although that now sounds like a different device altogether.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently claimed Apple is working on an updated version of the HomePod that could come in the fourth quarter of 2022 or the first quarter of 2023. Kuo cautioned that there "may not be much innovation in hardware design" compared to the original HomePod, but that is unlikely to concern fans of the discontinued model.

The original HomePod was announced in 2017, and was Apple's first foray into the competitive smart speaker market. Apple discontinued the HomePod in March 2021 to focus on the HomePod mini and due to lackluster sales.

Gurman's latest newsletter also mentioned Apple's intention to bring always-on display features to this year's iPhone 14 Pro models, as well as launch a new Mac mini with an M2 Pro chip, and a new Apple TV with an A14 chip.

Article Link: New Version of Original HomePod to Return Next Year

 

[Justin Cymbal]

Awesome!!

I use my HomePod every day

I do notice a significant difference though in processing speed between AirPlaying music and podcasts to my HomePod mini vs. my HomePod

My HomePod is definitely slower in getting AirPlay to start versus when I AirPlay to my HomePod mini so having a newer chip would indeed be a welcome update!

 

[NoSoup4U]

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[Cromulent]

I live in a single room in a shared house, so I don't need another Siri device since my iPhone is always next to me, but it sounds interesting.

 

[Powerbooky]

OK... will the price tag be the same or higher? If so, then the sound quality must be higher, no more phasing between two or more units for example. Surround must be an option too. Crossfade option anyone?

 

[kiranmk2]

If Siri and Homekit haven't improved then Apple will have learned nothing. It's a shame, as I hear that the Homepod sounded really good as a speaker. Matter should help things be more interoperable but I get the feeling that it isn't as good as many are proclaiming - sort of how the Amazon Echo can control Hue lights by being a smarthub but can only do the basic things like on/off, dimming and colours - all the more funky things still need the Hue bridge (and app).

 

[sunapple]

Such strange moves. As if they keep responding to the market instead of coming up with an overall vision. Not what I’m used to from Apple. Let’s see.

 

[Heeheeriah]

New Original...
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I'd assume it would run alongside the mini

 

[urtules]

This is great! I want two of them.

 

[popdan]

apple should add WIFI mesh router feature and it will sell crazy well

 

[JustSomebody12]

I understand the reason they would use a cheap SoC, but this means the HomePod won't be able to process locally.

Couldn't they use an A12 chip?

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Great news, I love my HomePods with the Apple TV. The ARC support in the new Apple TV really increased the flexibility too, playing my PS5 with HomePod audio is a very nice addition.

 

[Jeaz]

I love my HomePods. Great sound and looks great, so I'm all for a continuation of that model.

 

[Freeangel1]

Powered by a watch chip. not an M1 like the iPad Pro.

isn't that sweet.

I already know I don't want one. I'll keep my original HomePod

 

[Jeaz]

Great news, I love my HomePods with the Apple TV. The ARC support in the new Apple TV really increased the flexibility too, playing my PS5 with HomePod audio is a very nice addition.

I found the audio delay a bit too big to be fully enjoyable with my PS5. But sounds great though.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

I found the audio delay a bit too big to be fully enjoyable with my PS5. But sounds great though.

I fixed it on PlayStation by going to Settings > Sound > Audio Output -> Audio Format (priority), set to: Linear (PCM)

This pretty much eliminated the lag.

Note, because folks are asking how to do this: You'll need to enable ARC (audio return channel) on your Apple TV (2021 4K or later), have a TV that supports ARC, and use the ARC HDMI port if your TV has it marked (most only have one or two ARC-enabled ports). Once that is all enabled, everything should fall into place.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Powered by a watch chip. not an M1 like the iPad Pro.

isn't that sweet.

I already know I don't want one. I'll keep my original HomePod

M1 would be an unbelievable overkill. The HomePod mini is snappy and responsive with an S5 chip, anything beyond that would probably serve no benefit.

 

[AndrewWx]

I really wonder why Apple Engineers can't figure out a way to make the Apple TV communicate with 4 home pods for a decent surround sound experience.

 

[ian87w]

OK... will the price tag be the same or higher? If so, then the sound quality must be higher, no more phasing between two or more units for example. Surround must be an option too. Crossfade option anyone?

Of course the price will be higher. I would expect this to be $399.

 

[ian87w]

I really wonder why Apple Engineers can figure out a way to make the Apple TV communicate with 4 home pods for a decent surround sound experience.

Probably limitations in bluetooth and P2P Wifi. I mean those data stream have to be delivered into 4 separate devices somehow, at the same time and in sync.

 

[aries81]

Wait, wasn’t one of the reasons they ditched the original one because it was too expensive?

 

[Ashbash75]

For the love of God, sort out SIRI and Homekit

 

[44267547]

I’m all for whatever Apple decides to do with the return of the HomePod. I do think there’s a market segment for it, even though the competition is vast. I think the most unique feature about the HomePod is definitely the beamforming technology, it really enhances the acoustics, in all sizes of rooms with various dimensions.

But here’s were Apple needs to improve, where they made a crucial mistake the first time, which is marketing. They failed to market the HomePod properly. I think Apple really needs to focus on the pricing segment and marketing, and there’s no reason that this probably couldn’t sell itself with those two ingredients as a focal point.

 

[seanmills1020]

It will come with a new voice assistant named ALEXEI, who answers in a thick Russian accent.

 

[Ceelo187]

Great news, I love my HomePods with the Apple TV. The ARC support in the new Apple TV really increased the flexibility too, playing my PS5 with HomePod audio is a very nice addition.

How do you do this? Never new this was possible.