Apple Likely to Launch HomePod With Touchscreen; Leaked Images Suggest Design

Earlier, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had also reported that Apple is working on a HomePod with a touchscreen.

Written by Richa Sharma, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 24 October 2023 10:20 IST

Apple Likely to Launch HomePod With Touchscreen; Leaked Images Suggest Design

Apple launched HomePod (2nd Gen) nearly two years after it discontinued the first-gen HomePod

Highlights

The new HomePod could launch in 2024
Its design appears to be similar to that of second-gen Apple HomePod
It may come with back bezels and a touchscreen

Apple launched its second-gen HomePod smart speaker earlier this year in India. It comes with a mesh exterior, along with backlit touch surface on the top of the cylindrical body. The company is now reportedly working on new HomePod speakers that feature a touch display. In March, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated that the California-based tech giant is likely to launch a redesigned HomePod in the first half of 2024, and it may sport a 7-inch touchscreen. Now, there has been a new leak suggesting the design of the HomePod with a touch display.

According to an X post by user Kosutami (@KosutamiSan), Apple is working on a HomePod frame shell that may come with a glass on top, said to be used for as a touch display, with black bezels. The post hints that its design appears to be similar to that of the second-gen Apple HomePod. The post doesn't reveal further details about the speaker. It is important to note here that Apple launched the HomePod (2nd Gen) nearly two years after it discontinued the first-gen HomePod.

Earlier, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had also reported about Apple working on a HomePod with a touchscreen. The report stated that Apple could launch a redesigned HomePod with a 7-inch touchscreen panel in the first half of 2024. Tianma, who is suggested to be an exclusive partner of Apple for the speaker, supplies displays to other businesses.

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With the launch of a HomePod sporting a touchscreen, Apple could compete with Google's Nest Hub and Amazon's Echo Show models. So far, Apple has been lagging behind its competitors when it comes to smart speakers.

Meanwhile, the second-gen HomePod smart speaker comes with Apple's personal assistant Siri and an S7 processor. It is priced in India at Rs. 32,900 and is available in White and Midnight colour option.

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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

Apple HomePod Speaker

KEY SPECS

Model HomePod

Color Space Gray, White

Power Requirement 100V to 240V AC

Touchpad Yes

Network connectivity Bluetooth v5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11ac

Display included No

Google Nest Hub

REVIEW
KEY SPECS

Design
Smart Features
Audio Quality
Value For Money

Good
Google Assistant and connected services work well
Visual cues for some basic functions
Useful ambient light sensor

Bad
Smart displays offer limited functionality
A bit expensive for what's on offer
Sound quality isn't great

Read detailed Google Nest Hub review

Model Nest Hub

Color Chalk, Charcoal

Power Requirement 15W

Network connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Display included Yes

Amazon Echo Show

KEY SPECS

Model Echo Show

Color Black, White

Network connectivity Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity

Display included Yes

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