For several months, there have been whispers about new smart home products being developed by Apple. Notably, there’s buzz about a hybrid device based on the HomePod but featuring a touchscreen (not to be mistaken with the model that includes a tactile arm or the small robot equipped with AI).
A Screen That’s Neither Round Nor Rectangular
According to American journalists, Apple is leaning towards a square touchscreen for its current prototype, rather than a rectangular format like an iPad. It would also come with an integrated camera that could be used for FaceTime and other video conferencing apps. Additionally, the camera would have the capability to recognize specific hand gestures from a distance (to execute commands). This camera could identify users to fulfill personal requests, much like the HomePod recognizes different voices to carry out similar tasks.
This gadget, internally codenamed J490, will likely be equipped with an A18 chip (and presumably accompanying RAM) to support Apple Intelligence features. Beta versions have already unveiled a new category of products similar to what exists for HomePods, categorized under “AudioAccessory.”
For now, the interface appears to include only a lock screen with a touch keypad for entering access codes. However, this is enough to confirm the numerous clues gathered from various sources. The very curious Nicolás Alvarez recently discovered an internal identification number “HomeAccessory17,1” hidden within Apple’s system code, which would confirm the arrival of a new home product. This device might even operate on a variant of tvOS.
Latest Speculations
Back in 2021, Mark Gurman was the first to suggest that Apple was working on new HomePods with screens and cameras. In March 2023, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo weighed in, suggesting that this HomePod might sport a very different look from the current model, particularly to incorporate a 7-inch screen. It is expected to offer “better integration with other Apple products,” marking a significant shift in Apple’s smart home strategy. Depending on the chosen price point (which is still uncertain), this hybrid HomePod could compete with Amazon and its Echo line.
Later on, Mark Gurman (again) mentioned this product equipped with a speaker, alongside functions from the Apple TV, a FaceTime camera, and Siri compatibility. The Bloomberg journalist anticipated a launch by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
Towards the end of the year, Apple prototype collector and leaker, Kosutami on X (formerly Twitter), shared some details about an upcoming HomePod model with an LCD screen nearly twice the size of the second-generation HomePod (released in 2023), but featuring a large touchscreen LCD. Subsequent rumors hinted at a model in development under the codename “B720.”
Finally, and perhaps most definitively, a beta of tvOS 17 referenced a brand-new device identified as “Z314” last February. The code revealed that multiple versions were in internal development and also undergoing production tests. This suggests that the product might have reached an advanced stage in its development process.
Moreover, this version also introduced several SwiftUI frameworks to the HomePod firmware, as well as a system tool, which is typically used for debugging the user interface (and thus a screen) when it fails to respond in iOS apps.
Hi, my name is Disha and I’m a passionate writer and editor at “Jason Deegan”. With a keen interest in all things tech, I strive to bring you the latest news and updates from the world of high-tech.