Apple is working to introduce a new version of the original HomePod with a screen on top that supports touch interactions. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the iPhone maker is readying a new HomePod speaker that will look and sound similar to the original 2018 model. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman also mentioned that a new model variant of the HomePod speaker may arrive with Apple’s upcoming S8 chip and an updated display.
To recall, the tech giant had discontinued the HomePod last year without announcing a direct replacement.
"The HomePod, code-named B620, will run the same S8 chip coming to the watches and will be closer to the original HomePod in terms of size and audio performance rather than a new HomePod mini. The new HomePod will have an updated display on top and there's even been some talk of multi-touch functionality," the newsletter read.
The HomePod mini was launched with an S5 chip, thus, indicating that the new model will come with more processing power. Some other reports suggest that the tech giant is likely planning to launch a new version of its HomePod smart speaker in late 2022 or by early 2023.
Apple currently sells the $99 HomePod mini as the only model. The original HomePod with much more impressive sound was discontinued last year after a price cut from $349 to $299. As per famed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, while he views smart speakers as "undoubtedly one of the essential elements of the home ecosystem", he doesn't think Apple has realised how to be successful in the smart speaker domain.
The analyst recently predicted that the tech giant is developing a new version of the Apple TV set-top box with the goal of lowering the cost structure.