tvOS 18 Hints at HomePod With Touchscreen Display

[epox999]

Haven't they only sold a few million of these since 2018? I thought this product was a total flop

Not sure the utility of having a screen on this, hopefully they fix the "white ring" issue on wood surfaces

 

[markrath]

With touch screen on top, my cats will be setting off the Home Pod even more than they do now.

Hahaha! I already bump my HomePod mini with something as simple as the cord and it starts playing music picked just for me!

 

[spencereeves]

Have people not been begging for a "hub-mode" that could bridge HomePods to their existing devices better?? Why can't they just make an experience that connects to the HomePods/unifies the Home features with the nearest device (iPhone, TV, iPad, Mac?). Utilize the power of existing nearby devices to compute higher-level inquiries/tasks and show results on the device (instead of on a tiny built-in HomePod screen) would make so much more sense... they are soooooo close to making that a possibility with the "standby mode" on iPhones

 

[ChrisA]

The big question: will version 3 stereo sync with version 2* or will you need to buy 2 of these for stereo?

I've never once seen non-identical speakers use for stereo. OK, you can do it but most people would not want to.

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

Put a pico projector in there Apple! Courage!!

 

[PsykX]

That design in the photo is just silly from a usability perspective. Who stands over top this HomePod for information?

Right, that wouldn't work for me.
My HomePod is sitting on top of the TV furniture, at my eye-level. So I wouldn't be able to see the screen.

 

[Tofupunch]

I feel like the 'HomePod' brand evokes a lack of confidence in me. With all the false starts and failure to support the product line, I don't feel inclined to buy anything in the Homepod/apple home device category. Not yet, anyway.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Why, doesn't make any sense.

 

[TVreporter]

Tim: Just glue an iPad mini onto the HomePod - mark it up $500 and call it a day guys!

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

How do they know they aren't just adding an option to TVOS to lock items behind a pin? That exists on other smart tv platforms

 

[Chopper9]

The HomePod is dead. Long live the HomePod.

 

[mjs916]

That design in the photo is just silly from a usability perspective. Who stands over top this HomePod for information?

If I built what they are describing it would not be a HomePod w/screen on top nor HomePod + iPad but more of an Apple TV + iPhone display instead.

Essentially a set top box w/ a screen at a slightly raked back angle for volume/media control, plus a front-facing camera and mic for facetime
Calls. Screen would only be awake when interacting with it, like
HomePod now. The connected TV would be the real display, as it is now.

Forgive the crappy rendition, done in Photos Markup on my iPhone 😅

 

[scrapesleon]

does it get a m1 chip though

 

[GregoriusM]

The new Amazon Echo Spot has a touchscreen.

 

[moyjoy]

I have never ever looked at a speaker and thought "I wish this had a screen". I have, however, looked at my HomePod and wished for a retractable cord.

 

[svish]

Wonder whether this will be released this year.

 

[antonrg]

Goodness, by the time they release it, nobody would care.

 

[3304614]

Can someone please design a new mock-up of a touch screen HomePod? There is no way the screen is going to be on the top like that.

(And I’m going to feel like a stupid-idiot if Apple does release a HomePod with the screen on the top like that. lol)

 

[NickTuesday]

Maybe they will put the interface on the Apple Ring (sold separately) and it will be too small to read so you then need to purchase the Apple Magnifier, (sold seperatley) an Apple branded magnifying glass. ($200). It just works (not for you) but Apple.

 

[markrath]

I have never ever looked at a speaker and thought "I wish this had a screen". I have, however, looked at my HomePod and wished for a retractable cord.

And an internal battery for portability and Bluetooth which I personally find easier to connect to then airplay.

 

[tdale321]

so I've had a theory about this new home accessory for a while that was only further fueled by the code discovered earlier this month with the identifier being "HomeAccessory17,1" and not "AudioAccessory" which are the identifiers for the HomePod devices. Browsing prime day deals on amazon and coming across amazon's "echo hub" just made it all CLICK. I think it will be a device very similar but way better specs and most likely the A18 chip to give it its main "selling feature" which is super smart Siri andddddd APPLE INTELLIGENCE. it will be a device that can attach so an accessory and sit on a table or be mounted to a wall and control everything smart in the home with Siri and apple intelligence doing most of the leg work. you'll have access to camera feeds, door locks, light bulbs, switches, plugs, everything smart in HomeKit. the device will also be serve as a matter hub for people who want to have all the functions the HomePods serve being the home hub but don't want a speaker. and there you have it. Apple HomeHub.

it will be even more interesting to see if it ties in all smart devices to the hub like the echo hub does. from amazon: "WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Sidewalk, Thread, and Matter devices sync seamlessly with the built-in smart home hub, allowing you to control compatible devices, even if your internet is down."

I have a feeling this is the nail on the head for this upcoming home accessory. it ties it alllll in. makes apple present in the home without a speaker or a set top box that some people just do not see the point in. I have both an Apple TV and 3 HomePods yet will be ordering this as SOON as pre-sales open bc I've BEEN saying we need this for our Siri smart house.