Apple HomePod LCD Display Component Image Leak Hints at Arrival of Upgraded Model

Apple's purported HomePod is said to feature a touchscreen display with a curved surface.

Written by David Delima | Updated: 19 April 2024 14:22 IST

Apple HomePod LCD Display Component Image Leak Hints at Arrival of Upgraded Model

Apple's second generation HomePod (pictured) was launched in India in February 2023

Highlights

Apple is tipped to launch a new HomePod model this year
The smart speaker is tipped to sport an LCD touchscreen display
Apple's last HomePod model was launched in February 2023

Apple is reportedly working on an updated version of its HomePod smart speaker that is equipped with an LCD display, and an image of a component from the purported device has now surfaced online. A tipster has leaked an image of what appears to be the glass cover for the next-generation HomePod that could be equipped with a touchscreen display that is likely to be surrounded by the speaker and could display important information — such as incoming notifications or media playback controls.

A tipster with the username Kosutami (@Kosutami_Ito) leaked an image of the purported HomePod's display cover. The component is circular and is shown to have a curved surface in the image. It also suggests that the touchscreen will have a glossy finish. The tweet also says this is the B720 prototype, which was previously spotted online.

New picture of the (might be upcoming one) HomePod with display.
Glossy, sick, just imagine.#Apple #appleinternal (B720) pic.twitter.com/xMTULXpGw0
— Kosutami (@Kosutami_Ito) April 18, 2024

Earlier this year, an unnamed device referred to as Z314 was spotted on a beta version of tvOS 17.4, which was eventually rolled out to customers in March. The yet-to-be-announced device is expected to run on Apple's A15 Bionic chip and run on tvOS, as per the report. The second-generation HomePod is powered by Apple's S7 chipset.

The same tipster leaked images of the purported frame of a HomePod with a touchscreen display in October last year, with black bezels. At the time, the user had claimed that the device would bear a resemblance to Apple's second generation HomePod, which was launched in February 2023, five years after the launch of the first HomePod.

TF Securities International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously predicted that Apple was planning on launching a HomePod model with a 7-inch touchscreen display in 2024. Kuo said at the time that Tianma will be the sole supplier for the purported HomePod, which he claimed would arrive in H1 2024. The device would compete against Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub.

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Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

REVIEW
KEY SPECS

Design
Smart Features
Audio Quality
Value For Money

Good
Looks good
Much more capable than the size suggests
Flawless connectivity with Apple devices
Works well as a speaker for your TV
Flexible, powerful sound

Bad
Expensive
Limited IoT capabilities for now

Read detailed Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) review

Model HomePod (2nd Gen)

Color White, Midnight

Network connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 5

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Further reading: HomePod, HomePod touchscreen, Apple

David Delima

Email David Delima

As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com, on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More