According to the predictions of a famous analyst (Ming-Chi Kuo), Apple plans to launch the HomePod smart speaker with a 7.5-inch screen in the first half of 2024.
According to Kuo, the device could "support greater integration with other Apple devices," marking a "major shift in the company's smart home strategy." It looks like the new devices will act as smart home controls, much like what Google offers with its Nest Hub smart displays or Amazon with its Echo Shows.
Apple has reportedly been considering a HomePod with a display for quite some time. As Bloomberg reported in 2021, Apple is "seriously considering" producing a speaker with "advanced features and a touch screen" that would combine an iPad tablet with a HomePod speaker and include a camera for video calls, among other speakers. Google and Amazon.
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Other reports suggest that the company is working on an iPad-like device that acts as a smart home remote and FaceTime device with magnets that allow it to be mounted on a wall. However, the reports have not confirmed whether the device will feature the HomePod branding from Apple.
Current projections indicate that Apple wants to expand its presence in the smart home market. The company initially launched the HomePod as a high-end smart speaker, but the device's limited updates and high price made it less competitive than Google's and Amazon's products. Then Apple introduced the HomePod Mini, which has a more affordable design and features similar to other smart speakers.
With the rapid growth of the smart home market and the fierce competition that Apple faces in this field, Apple's entry into the smart home controller market is seen as a natural entry, especially since the company already has HomeKit -System features for users. Smart Home Control for iPhone and iPad.