Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said this week that Apple is working on a new version of the HomePod, which should be released in the first half of 2024.. The device will have an updated design and will be equipped with a 7-inch touch screen, offering users new functionality.

If the information published by the analyst is confirmed, Apple’s new HomePod could become a similar smart home controller. The device will have a 7-inch touchscreen and will provide tighter integration with other Apple hardware products..

This will represent a significant change in the company’s smart home strategy, moving closer to the model offered by the Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show. The round screens of Apple’s current HomePods have limited functionality and are primarily used as status indicators. These screens do not allow meaningful interaction with the device and are more aesthetic than practical.

Rumors about the launch of a new HomePod have been circulating for two years

Rumor has it that Apple has been working on a touchscreen device for some time now. Bloomberg reported in April 2021 that the company is considering producing a next-generation speaker that will combine iPad functionality with HomePod, including a video chat camera.

Apple’s proposed touchscreen device, which could launch in 2024, aims to compete with devices from Amazon and Google. This news was accompanied by information about the second device, which will combine elements of the Apple TV set-top box and HomePod speaker.

In January 2023, Bloomberg reported that Apple was working on an iPad-style device to be used as a smart home controller and FaceTime calling device. However, Bloomberg did not say whether this device will be sold under the Apple HomePod brand.

While rumors and predictions about Apple’s touchscreen device may change as development progresses, the demand for a smart home hub seems clear. Judging by Amazon’s and Google’s smart display lines, Apple devices that combine HomePod and iPad functionality could be highly sought after by consumers.

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Via: GSM Arena

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