Apple Said To Be Working On A New HomePod And Smart Home Devices

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple may be working on a new high-end HomePod, an upgraded HomePod mini, as well as two more smart home devices that might debut around the end of 2023 or in the early months of 2024. Apple is working on at least four new smart home devices, but not all of them will be released, according to the report. A new, high-end HomePod now appears more likely to be on the horizon.

The forthcoming Apple Watch Series 8’s S8 processor will power the next HomePod, which is code-named B620, and will be more similar to the original HomePod in terms of size and audio performance than the mini model, as previously revealed by the journalist. What’s novel about this is Gurman’s claim that Apple is also building an upgraded HomePod mini. Although it’s unclear what could change with the new device, Apple could be planning to release these devices with Bluetooth 5.2 support or they might have some new features.

Gurman, in his “Power On” newsletter, explored two potential smart home devices that could launch sometime in the near future:

• A device that combines an iPad and a speaker, maybe for the Kitchens.
• A device that combines an Apple TV, camera, and HomePod for the Living rooms.

He predicts that one of these will take off towards the end of next year or the beginning of 2024. Both products would undoubtedly be in competition with Amazon’s offerings, including Amazon Echo and Amazon Show. As the company has promoted the HomePod mini and Apple TV as people’s home hubs, these devices might assist Apple in tying consumers’ homes together.