Supply Chain Forming for 2025 HomePod With LCD Display

[MacRumors]

The supply chain for Apple's upcoming HomePod or smart home "Command Center" with an LCD display is increasingly visible as launch approaches, DigiTimes reports.

The paywalled report claims that the device's 7-inch LCD panel will be exclusively supplied by Tianma Microelectronics in China, corroborating other reports dating back to early 2023.

The display panels are believed to cost just $10 each, undercutting other suppliers. Tianma doesn't currently make any displays for existing Apple products, with the company usually opting for the likes of Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE.

DigiTimes adds that Taiwan's Radiant Optoelectronics will handle backlight module production, while China's BYD will be the sole assembly partner.

The device was originally rumored launch in early 2024, but faced repeated delays, initially to late 2024. Supply chain sources claim that Apple issued a shipment schedule targeting a launch in March 2025, but this timeline may have now slipped to the second half of 2025.

Article Link: Supply Chain Forming for 2025 HomePod With LCD Display

 

[ForkHandles]

I can see the attraction of a device like this but I can’t get over the idea that an iPhone and a HomePod form a much better solution.

Perhaps it’s good for younger families?

Children may not have iPhones or access to iPads but still want to play their favourite songs.

 

[Mr_Ed]

Hey, at least now when you say “Siri, turn on the living room lights” and Siri replies, “Here’s what I found on the web for ‘mumble dogface in the banana patch’ “ you’ll be able to read it on a screen.

 

[CygnusTC]

Hey, at least now when you say “Siri, turn on the living room lights” and Siri replies, “Here’s what I found on the web for ‘mumble dogface in the banana patch’ “ you’ll be able to read it on a screen.

Now THAT is funny! And sadly very true!

 

[DickieSmith]

I think this will be about as successful as the original HomePod, which is to say 'not very'.

I don't think anyone I know has the Echo Show, or Google equivalent. I know one person with a Facebook Portal, but only because she was given it for free by a friend who worked for Meta. Clearly there are people buying these products or Amazon, Google and Meta wouldn't make them, but its pretty niche and Apple will almost certainly price it too high for that market and unfortunately Siri just isn't good enough to compete for this kind of device.

 

[rosuna]

I think this will be about as successful as the original HomePod, which is to say 'not very'.

I don't think anyone I know has the Echo Show, or Google equivalent. I know one person with a Facebook Portal, but only because she was given it for free by a friend who worked for Meta. Clearly there are people buying these products or Amazon, Google and Meta wouldn't make them, but its pretty niche and Apple will almost certainly price it too high for that market and unfortunately Siri just isn't good enough to compete for this kind of device.

You nailed it!

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I think this will be about as successful as the original HomePod, which is to say 'not very'.

I don't think anyone I know has the Echo Show, or Google equivalent. I know one person with a Facebook Portal, but only because she was given it for free by a friend who worked for Meta. Clearly there are people buying these products or Amazon, Google and Meta wouldn't make them, but its pretty niche and Apple will almost certainly price it too high for that market and unfortunately Siri just isn't good enough to compete for this kind of device.

Agreed. I only know two people with a homepod of any sort, my brother and myself; both use it as a Homekit hub and that's it. His is in a closet, mine is in my office, and I haven't used it a speaker (or for Siri) in probably close to a year. They're nearly useless in a mixed Android/iPhone household like mine, as well.

Edit: I use it as a temp sensor, too.

 

[Zoboomafoo]

These renders feel more harmful than helpful.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Really looking forward to this. Apple has all the ingredients to make this a must have.

 

[harmonthe3rd]

This will definitely be very successful. I currently have Echo Show's in every room of my house and the garage. In addition I have a HomePod in the gym, living room and upstairs playroom. HomePod mini in my office. I use Amazons devices to control the thermostat, microwave, lights, garage door, sprinkler system, security cameras, window blinds, door locks and all my sensors that work with Smarthings. The display on the Echo Show was deciding factor. I for one would love to swap out all of my Amazon devices for Apple. That's a total of 14 devices that I would replace. There are a few others in my community that are planning to do the same. The idea of integrating my entire home automation to a single platform is extremely appealing. My personal opinion is if you lie it buy, if not, don't.

 

[9081094]

I think this will be about as successful as the original HomePod, which is to say 'not very'.

I don't think anyone I know has the Echo Show, or Google equivalent. I know one person with a Facebook Portal, but only because she was given it for free by a friend who worked for Meta. Clearly there are people buying these products or Amazon, Google and Meta wouldn't make them, but its pretty niche and Apple will almost certainly price it too high for that market and unfortunately Siri just isn't good enough to compete for this kind of device.

I think it’s a big pill to swallow 😅

 

[DickieSmith]

Instead of this, I think there would be much more interest in a HomePod soundbar with built in Apple TV and camera for FaceTime, and that could pair with HomePod Minis for full surround sound / Atmos. Ideally 2, one in a larger form factor like the Sonos Arc and a smaller one to compete with the Sonos Beam.

I'm heavily invested in the Sonos ecosystem because (until the infamous software update) all my speakers including TV audio work really well together. I wouldn't buy a HomePod with screen like the one shown in the picture for a number of reasons, including that it wouldn't work with the rest of my audio set up. I won't change to HomePods for my audio set up, in part, because they don't do a soundbar.

Give me a good quality soundbar with Apple TV built in means one device instead of two. A camera would mean I start using my TV for FaceTime with family (I know there are workarounds but do many people use them). Ability to connect HomePod minis as surrounds would mean I get surround sound to rival my Sonos Arc and Sonos Ones combo. All that would be missing is the HomePod sub and then I'd feel comfortable replacing my Sonos set up.

 

[JapanApple]

I’d rather stick with Amazon devices. Even though I love Apple devices I won’t buy.

 

[Abobrek]

This will definitely be very successful. I currently have Echo Show's in every room of my house and the garage. In addition I have a HomePod in the gym, living room and upstairs playroom. HomePod mini in my office. I use Amazons devices to control the thermostat, microwave, lights, garage door, sprinkler system, security cameras, window blinds, door locks and all my sensors that work with Smarthings. The display on the Echo Show was deciding factor. I for one would love to swap out all of my Amazon devices for Apple. That's a total of 14 devices that I would replace. There are a few others in my community that are planning to do the same. The idea of integrating my entire home automation to a single platform is extremely appealing. My personal opinion is if you lie it buy, if not, don't.

Why on earth would you use an Amazon device for a microwave? The last I checked anything cooked in a microwave has to be physically put into it, and the buttons are literally on the microwave to cook what is in the microwave. You have actually, astonishingly, made cooking in a microwave more complicated because the only way that this would work is you put an item in the microwave, skip pressing ANY buttons, just to use your voice to control said microwave.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Hey, at least now when you say “Siri, turn on the living room lights” and Siri replies, “Here’s what I found on the web for ‘mumble dogface in the banana patch’ “ you’ll be able to read it on a screen.

This is pretty much what I was thinking. Until they fix Siri, all this does is make it clearer the ways in which Siri has once again failed.

For example, (before I turned off Siri and gave up) I would frequently say "Siri lights on" and it would bloop like it did something and nothing would happen. And then I'd say it again and it would work. What did it think I said, I wonder?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

This will definitely be very successful. I currently have Echo Show's in every room of my house and the garage. In addition I have a HomePod in the gym, living room and upstairs playroom. HomePod mini in my office. I use Amazons devices to control the thermostat, microwave, lights, garage door, sprinkler system, security cameras, window blinds, door locks and all my sensors that work with Smarthings. The display on the Echo Show was deciding factor. I for one would love to swap out all of my Amazon devices for Apple. That's a total of 14 devices that I would replace. There are a few others in my community that are planning to do the same. The idea of integrating my entire home automation to a single platform is extremely appealing. My personal opinion is if you lie it buy, if not, don't.

Most people have very few smart home devices, let alone situations such as yours. I've seen numbers that only 25-35% of US households have any brand of smart home gadgets, of any sort. It'll do alright, but it's not going to be overly successful. Just like Amazon Show and Google Nest Hub are around, but not terribly common or popular. The most common device I've seen is the Amazon Echo pucks, and the nest speakers after that.

No one in our household or extended really uses FaceTime, so this doesn't make much sense for us...and you know Apple isn't going to support any other two-way video chat on these.. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[one more]

I still don’t see any use for this device, along with all the other home hubs of any competitors. I mean it is static, sitting in one corner, so why would somebody want to come to it or shout across the room to it if this can already be done from an iPhone, iPad or a Mac?

 

[joecomo]

I really hope it is a wall-mountable flat screen and not this strange display enabled loudspeaker

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I can see the attraction of a device like this but I can’t get over the idea that an iPhone and a HomePod form a much better solution.

Perhaps it’s good for younger families?

Children may not have iPhones or access to iPads but still want to play their favourite songs.

Not just that, but it’s also good for frequent guests of the house who have no idea how to control anything, and certainly don’t have their smart phone connected to the smart home of someone else.
If I default, this thing shows a super easy interface for turning off lights and changing temperatures, it has a purpose.
Maybe not for everyone, but who cares? If you don’t need it, don’t buy it. I probably won’t unless it’s “HomePod Mini” priced.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Why on earth would you use an Amazon device for a microwave? The last I checked anything cooked in a microwave has to be physically put into it, and the buttons are literally on the microwave to cook what is in the microwave. You have actually, astonishingly, made cooking in a microwave more complicated because the only way that this would work is you put an item in the microwave, skip pressing ANY buttons, just to use your voice to control said microwave.

There are plenty of reasons one might want to do this, tons of them relating to accessibility.
I use a smart Airfryer/convection oven because it is literally impossible for me to use the built-in touchscreen controls, I can’t see them.
So yes, I literally put the food in the air fryer, use my smart phone to get all of the settings the way I want them to be, and then start it.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I still don’t see any use for this device, along with all the other home hubs of any competitors. I mean it is static, sitting in one corner, so why would somebody want to come to it or shout across the room to it if this can already be done from an iPhone, iPad or a Mac?

Oddly, the rumor of this device is that it will not be static.
It will apparently have a built-in rechargeable battery, and tons of different mounts, some with extra speakers for a desk, one that mounts to the wall, one for your nightstand.
This is how the product has been described, less of a HomePod with a display and more of a “HomePad”.

 

[joecomo]

This will definitely be very successful. I currently have Echo Show's in every room of my house and the garage. In addition I have a HomePod in the gym, living room and upstairs playroom. HomePod mini in my office. I use Amazons devices to control the thermostat, microwave, lights, garage door, sprinkler system, security cameras, window blinds, door locks and all my sensors that work with Smarthings. The display on the Echo Show was deciding factor. I for one would love to swap out all of my Amazon devices for Apple. That's a total of 14 devices that I would replace. There are a few others in my community that are planning to do the same. The idea of integrating my entire home automation to a single platform is extremely appealing. My personal opinion is if you lie it buy, if not, don't.

I wonder how you are managing with the echo shows - I threw mine out and went back to a wall-mounted iPad.
It is an Amazon closed shop - you can't even run HomeAssistant decently on this thing.

 

[TVreporter]

If you don’t need it, don’t buy it. I probably won’t unless it’s “HomePod Mini” priced.

I'm willing to bet you won't be buying it then…

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I really hope it is a wall-mountable flat screen and not this strange display enabled loudspeaker

According to the rumors, it is both.
The actual device itself will mainly just be a screen with small speakers, but there will be tons of different mounts, including one to mount it as a flat screen on the wall and another with extra speakers for a table.
The one with extra speakers is obviously what makes it a full HomePod.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Most people have very few smart home devices, let alone situations such as yours. I've seen numbers that only 25-35% of US households have any brand of smart home gadgets, of any sort. It'll do alright, but it's not going to be overly successful. Just like Amazon Show and Google Nest Hub are around, but not terribly common or popular. The most common device I've seen is the Amazon Echo pucks, and the nest speakers after that.

No one in our household or extended really uses FaceTime, so this doesn't make much sense for us...and you know Apple isn't going to support any other two-way video chat on these.. 🤷🏻‍♂️

The homes that are wired up like that are likely mostly by single people in major urban areas, which of course Apple likes to target.

Everywhere else it just seems like it's mostly the dad holding the rest of the house hostage with the lights, tv, etc. These things don't work very well for groups. Maybe that's something this product is trying to solve.