A New HomePod With A 7-inch Display Rumored To Arrive In 2024

In January, Apple released a new HomePod model with an identical design to the model released in 2017 and withdrawn from the market in 2021.

Now, amid rumors that the company is working on a new product that combines iPad, Apple TV and HomePod into one device, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that Apple will announce a new HomePod with a 7-inch display. in early 2024.

The analyst expects this HomePod to have a completely different design than the current model. Its main difference will be a new 7-inch display, which will be supplied by the Chinese company Tianma. According to Kuo, the new HomePod with integrated display will allow “closer integration with other Apple products, marking a significant shift in the company's smart home strategy."

Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that the Cupertino-based company has been exploring several product ideas to drive its smart home ecosystem. This includes an iPad-like device that can be mounted on walls to control HomeKit accessories, play video, and handle FaceTime calls.

Another more ambitious device tested internally by the company is one that combines the functionality of the iPad, Apple TV and HomePod. The idea would be similar to the Amazon Echo Show, which is basically a tablet attached to a speaker with a custom interface for quick interactions.

It's unclear at this point if Kuo is referring to this all-in-one device or if Apple is simply planning to add a regular display to the current HomePod form factor.