After several years with the HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K taking center stage, everything points to Apple wanting to expand its home ecosystem and turn the new Siri AI into a much more important part of our homes. Cameras, doorbells, a smart display… let’s see what Apple has in store for our smart home.
New HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K: the first to arrive
According to the rumors, the closest launches (in addition to those coming in September) would be a new generation of the HomePod mini and an updated Apple TV 4K, both expected this fall.
The HomePod mini, for its part, would replace its current S5 chip with an S9 or even something more advanced. It would also bring sound improvements and a new wireless chip, possibly the N1. But really, the key piece would be Siri AI. With renewed hardware, and some possible new colors, this small Apple speaker could become a much more capable assistant than the one we know today.
In the case of the Apple TV 4K, the next generation is rumored to move from the A15 Bionic to the A17 Pro, a change that would allow it to run some Apple Intelligence features locally and work better with Siri AI. There is also talk of a slight redesign of the remote.
Also in development, for later on, is an update to the full-size HomePod (the non-mini model), with a more modern chip prepared for Siri’s new features. So, with all of this, Apple would strengthen the core products of its home ecosystem.
HomePad: a display to control our entire home
One of the most anticipated products will be Apple’s first major home control hub. Many are already calling it the “HomePad,” and it is said to be arriving sometime between October and early next year.
This device would feature a 7-inch square display, an A18 chip, and a new operating system known internally as homeOS. From it, we could manage smart home accessories, make FaceTime calls, interact with Siri AI, and much more.
Apple would be preparing two versions. One would attach to the wall using a magnetic system, while the other would sit on a speaker base. For those of us who already have several Apple devices at home, this “home hub” could really become the place from which we control everything in a much more visual and simple way.
Cameras, doorbells, and even a small robot for the home
An even bigger expansion is expected to arrive later on, around the middle of next year. Apple is rumored to be preparing its first home automation accessories: a security camera and a smart doorbell. And this time we are talking about the actual products themselves, rather than software.
In addition, there is already talk of a more advanced version of the home display nicknamed “HomePad” that we have just seen. This second version would be something like a 9-inch panel mounted on a robotic arm. The idea would be closer to a small tabletop robot capable of acting as a smart home hub.
With this roadmap, Apple seems ready to expand its presence across the different elements of our smart home. HomePod, Apple TV, Siri AI, homeOS, cameras, doorbells… could help us create a very complete home platform, fully integrated into the Apple ecosystem.
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