Apple is reportedly working on a new version of its HomePod smart speaker that will feature a curved LCD display, according to a well-known Apple leaker.
The leaker, who goes by the name of Mr. White on Twitter, shared a photo of what appears to be a prototype of the future HomePod with a screen. The photo shows a circular device with a black mesh fabric covering the speaker and a curved LCD display on the top.
Mr. White claims that the device is a “HomePod with a screen” and that it is “coming soon.” He did not provide any further details or specifications about the device, such as its size, price, or release date.
This is not the first time that a HomePod with a screen has been rumored. In 2020, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple was exploring several new HomePod models, including one that would combine an iPad with a speaker and a robotic arm that could move to follow a user around a room.
However, Gurman later said that the HomePod with a screen was “unlikely to launch anytime soon” and that Apple was focusing on a new HomePod that would be larger than the HomePod mini but smaller than the original HomePod, which was discontinued in 2021.
The HomePod with a screen could compete with other smart speakers that have displays, such as the Amazon Echo Show, the Google Nest Hub, and the Facebook Portal. A screen could enable the HomePod to offer more functionality and interactivity, such as video calls, visual feedback, and streaming content.
However, it is unclear how Apple would integrate the screen with its existing software and services, such as Siri, Apple Music, Apple TV, and HomeKit. It is also unknown how the screen would affect the sound quality and battery life of the HomePod.
Apple has not officially confirmed or denied the existence of the HomePod with a screen, so it is possible that the device is still in the early stages of development or testing, or that it may never see the light of day. Until then, Apple fans will have to wait and see if the rumors are true or not.
