Touchscreen HomePod driven by AI appears to be in the works: Report

Apple is apparently working on an exciting new home gadget called the HomePod, which will likely compete with Google’s Nest Hub and Amazon’s Echo Show. It is said to have an LCD screen, a touchscreen, an A18 SoC, and Apple Intelligence features. As per the speculations, the device will have cameras and screens and run on a TVOS software version.

A new home accessory gadget that Apple is allegedly developing is said to be an LCD-screened HomePod that runs on the A18 SoC and has Apple Intelligence features. A code referring to a new identification category “HomeAccessory17,1” for a HomePod with a touchscreen display has been identified by MacRumors in Apple’s backend. According to a report, Apple’s proprietary A18 processor is probably powering the alleged device. Note that the same chipset is likely to be used to power all the models of the iPhone 16 Series.

It is expected to run on Apple TV’s operating system, tvOS, which is also known as homeOS. This information was revealed in a tvOS 17.4 beta that was released in January. Additionally, it’s said that the HomePod with a touchscreen will gain Apple Intelligence features.

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A previous leak stated that the upcoming HomePod speakers would have black bezels and a glass top for a touch display. This led to speculation about HomePod speakers with touch display. Its appearance is reminiscent of the Apple HomePod’s second generation.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously stated that in the first half of 2024, Apple might release an updated HomePod including a 7-inch touchscreen panel. Tianma is an official partner of Apple that provides displays to other companies.

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To recall Apple debuted the second generation of HomePod last year. It has a mesh exterior and an illuminated touch surface on top of the cylindrical body. The S7 processor and Siri, Apple’s personal assistant, are built into the smart speaker. After the first generation HomePod was discontinued, the HomePod (2nd Gen) was released over two years later.