Prototype HomePod with LCD touchscreen surfaces in photo

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in Future Apple Hardware

A HomePod with a touchscreen on the top has been leaked in social media photos, in what could be a prototype for a future update to the smart speaker.

An alleged prototype HomePod [x/KosutamiSan]
An alleged prototype HomePod [x/KosutamiSan]



The HomePod and HomePod mini do not have displays built into them, save for a disc at the top showing diffused LED lights as an indicator of activity. However, it seems that Apple has ideas to change that screen for something else.

In a photograph published to X by Apple product collector and leaker "KosutamiSan," a HomePod is pictured with a larger disc at the top. Within that disc is an image and the text "LcdUTest," seemingly indicating it as being a display.

An earlier series of images shows what is described as a HomePod frameshell with a "completely different glass on top," which is intended for a touchscreen. The shell's design is "similar to HomePod 2nd gen's," the leaker states.

After the images went live on X, sources of 9to5Mac reportedly verified the images as real, as well as offering details such as the codename B720. The sources also claimed the device in the photograph was actively being worked on within the company, making it a potential new product rather than a cast-off old prototype.

Apple has previously been thought to be working on a HomePod with a display. In March 2023, Ming-Chi Kuo forecast that a new HomePod will ship in the first half of 2024 with a 7-inch display, in a device that could boost the company's smart home strategy.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    602warren602warren Posts: 75member
    Personally, I’d rather see a soundbar style speaker with the AppleTV box already built in, as opposed to the same HomePod, but with an LCD screen. 
    Imagine a soundbar with dynamic island in front hiding the camera for FaceTime on tv, and showing audio levels, or artist/track when songs change and the tv isn’t on. 
    edited October 2023
    elijahgdarbus69roundaboutnowwatto_cobradewmechia
     6Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 6
    kelliekellie Posts: 73member
    Apple’s smart home strategy should be focused on making what they’ve already deployed reliably functional.  They should also have the ability to control non-HomeKit devices.  As well as enhancing the functionality of Siri.  Apple seems to be primarily focused on hardware development.  Their software abilities are less impressive. 
    elijahg
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 6
    eightzeroeightzero Posts: 3,163member
    HomePod with a touchscreen....and a ethernet port to run as an Airport too. Make the HomePod Minis work as mesh repeaters. Add a VPN service configurable from the touchscreen.

    Shut up and Take. My. Money.

    darbus69602warrenchasmAlex1Nwatto_cobradewmechia
     7Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 6
    stoneygstoneyg Posts: 56member
    I don't know if I care that much about a touchscreen HomePod. Maybe when I use it I'd change my mind.

    But Airport and Wifi mesh? TMM!
    Alex1Nwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 6
    chasmchasm Posts: 3,679member
    Eightzero’s suggestion is about what it would take to give up my current full-size HomePods. I use them for music and TV sound, and they do a really outstanding job with both. I help my friends and neighbours set up sound bars for their TVs and none that I have worked with so far hold a candle to my HomePods, particularly when it comes to clarity of voice and bass.
    Alex1Nwatto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 6 of 6
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,867member
    When I had my HomePod it was always on a shelf above eye level. Having a full-on display on top of the HomePod would not have any practical benefit in my case other than making the initial setup and configuration easier. The HomePod is still a great device that packs a big punch in a small but hefty package.

    As much as I love the LED clock on the Amazon Echo Dot that shines through the device’s fabric sweater, I don’t feel a need for a similar capability on the HomePod. However, I would like to see a single multi-color LED on one side of the HomePod that conveys the current state of the HomePod, e.g., whether it’s ready to play, playing, playing as part of a stereo pair, has an unplayed audio message (not a current feature), or is in a faulted state. Of course the LED would be ambient light sensitive and support auto-dimming or auto blanking when playing content, per user configuration.

    I haven’t fully delved into all of the features of the latest HomePod intercom feature, but it might be useful to I be able to leave an audio message (beyond the current voice mail capability) on a HomePod that can be interactively retrieved, ideally with voice recognition or through UWB proximity detection of the recipient’s iPhone, so it’s only played back for a specific user. The LED on the HomePod would either turn a specific color or blink when it detects that the recipient of a queued message (or voice mail) is nearby. 
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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