Tech Desk 
Dec 22, 2024
Apple is expected to launch a new "HomePod" in 2025 with a 7-inch LCD display, an A18 chip, and Apple Intelligence support.
The company has not revealed how much the screen-equipped HomePod would cost, but Apple is seemingly aiming for a reasonable price.
In a paywalled report issued this week, a supply chain publication said Apple has selected China-based manufacturer Tianma to supply the device's LCD panels for $10 each.
Apple HomePod 2 launch date (rumoured)
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the HomePod 2 with a 6 to 7-inch display, an A18 chip, and Apple Intelligence support would enter mass production in the second half of 2025.
Kuo said smart home capabilities would be a core feature of the device, meaning that rumours about a screen-equipped HomePod and Apple's rumoured smart home hub are referring to the same product coming next year.
Earlier, Mark Gurman claimed Apple's smart home hub looks like a "square iPad," with a roughly 6-inch screen. He said the hub can be attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, or be wall-mounted.
The Bloomberg reported that said Apple's smart home hub looks like a "square iPad," with a roughly 6-inch screen. He said the hub can be attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, or mounted on a wall.
It will run a new "homeOS" operating system with a customisable widget-focused home screen, and revolve around Siri, Apple Intelligence, and HomeKit.
Apple's hub would compete with products such as Google's Nest Hub and Amazon's Echo Show, which are priced between $150 and $400. Kuo and Gurman said Apple is also planning a wireless security camera that would work with the hub.
However, it is unclear if Apple will actually use HomePod branding for the home hub, or if it will opt for all-new naming. Moreover, it is unclear if the current HomePod speaker will be updated next year, but a new HomePod mini is rumoured to launch next year.
