tvOS 17.4 Allegedly Hints at HomePod With Display - MacRumors
Skip to Content

tvOS 17.4 Allegedly Hints at HomePod With Display

by

The tvOS 17.4 beta that was released today contains code that references a future HomePod with a display, according to 9to5Mac. The site claims that there is evidence of a device with a "Z314" identifier with an A15 chip inside, with both production and "internal" versions of the device being tested by Apple.

homepod blue green

Based on our findings, the unreleased "Z314" device is powered by an A15 Bionic chip, which interestingly is the same as the iPad mini 6. Code reveals that there are internal development and also production versions of this product under test, which suggests that it may have reached an advanced stage of development.

The latest beta also reportedly adds SwiftUI frameworks to the ‌HomePod‌ firmware to support a ‌HomePod‌ with a display.

We've heard multiple rumors about a ‌HomePod‌ with a touchscreen display from reliable sources. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in March 2023 that there was a ‌HomePod‌ with a 7-inch display in development, and in October 2023, leaker Kosutami said the next-generation ‌HomePod‌ would have a design similar to the current model but with a large LCD touch screen at the top instead of an LED array.

HomePods to date have been equipped with the same chips that Apple uses in the Apple Watch rather than the A-series chips used in Apple devices, so 9to5Mac's finding of an A15 Bionic mention could reflect a shift. The S9 chip in the Apple Watch Series 9 is, however, based on the A15 Bionic, and so that would also make sense for a new ‌HomePod‌.

In 2023, Kuo claimed that the ‌HomePod‌ with display would launch in the first half of 2024, but we have not heard additional release details since then. It is not yet clear when the device might come out, but Apple is planning to debut new iPads and Macs around the March timeframe, so we might also see a new ‌HomePod‌ at that time.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

A
abatabia
28 months ago
I know I’ve said this before, but I’ve bought my last HomePod. Yes it’s software related, but I’ve had so so many issues with my fleet of HomePods it’s ruined the experience for me. Connection issues, sound issues, you name it I’ve been on with Apple support about it. I’ve had enough.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
clayj Avatar
clayj
28 months ago

Why would someone want a screen on a HomePod?
Because I'd like to get rid of my Amazon Echo Show devices and replace them with similar Apple devices. That means a smart speaker with a screen on it.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
stocklen
28 months ago

I know I’ve said this before, but I’ve bought my last HomePod. Yes it’s software related, but I’ve had so so many issues with my fleet of HomePods it’s ruined the experience for me. Connection issues, sound issues, you name it I’ve been on with Apple support about it. I’ve had enough.
I was about to make a similar point.

Although I will be sticking with HomePods.... there is something seriously wrong with the software which remains unresolved to this day.

I feel that perhaps I have too many! Someone once mentioned there was a 6 unit limit (unofficially but acknowledged by Apple apparently) and any more than that in a single home and things become very unstable.

I have a single HomePod at my office, and it works flawlessly.

At home my 8 HomePod setup is incredbily frustrating. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesnt. Sometimes a stereo pair will not play out of both sides and sometimes it stutters. Multi room music is where things really fall apart with the experience being rather unpredictable.
I had a period of stability which was good but in the last 2 weeks trying to play some music around the house at once is like pulling teeth.


Anyway back on topic here - not sure how a HomePod with a screen is going to add much to the equation but I would urge Apple to do something about the software before they start introducing more models. At the very least if there is some mystical limit to the number recommended in a home then be honest about it and dont just let people add more and more in the incorrect assumption that 'it just works'
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PowerMac5500 Avatar
PowerMac5500
28 months ago
Deleted
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
moabal
28 months ago
Why would someone want a screen on a HomePod?

Edit: I am thinking of the same form factor with an actual screen not a hub or anything like that.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
ghanwani
28 months ago
A display on top is just not exciting. Many people have this in a bookshelf where the top is not even visible. If they have a display they need to do some hard work and put it on the side like Bose.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments