tvOS 17.4 Allegedly Hints at HomePod With Display

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)

Popular Stories

m1 chip slide

Five Years of Apple Silicon: M1 to M5 Performance Comparison

Monday November 10, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Apple silicon chip that replaced Intel chips in Apple's Mac lineup. The first Apple silicon chip, the M1, was unveiled on November 10, 2020. The M1 debuted in the MacBook Air, Mac mini, and 13-inch MacBook Pro. The M1 chip was impressive when it launched, featuring the "world's fastest CPU core" and industry-leading performance per watt, and it's only ...
All Screen iPhone 2027 Feature 1

Apple to Hide Selfie Camera Under Display of 20th Anniversary iPhone

Monday November 10, 2025 1:55 am PST by
Apple will conceal the front-facing camera under the screen of its 2027 iPhone, a Chinese leaker said today, corroborating reports that Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone will have no visible cutouts in the display. Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station said Apple's development of under-screen camera technology was progressing as planned for adoption in 2027, one year after it will...
Early Black Friday Deals 1

The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, and More

Saturday November 8, 2025 6:16 am PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
iphone air thinness

iPhone Air Sales Are So Bad That Apple's Delaying the Next-Generation Version

Monday November 10, 2025 11:41 am PST by
The thin, light iPhone Air sold so poorly that Apple has decided to delay the launch of the next-generation iPhone Air that was scheduled to come out alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, reports The Information. Apple initially planned to release a new iPhone Air in fall 2026, but now that's not going to happen. Since the iPhone Air launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales...
2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

Apple Adjusts Trade-In Values for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and More

Thursday November 6, 2025 11:12 am PST by
Apple today updated its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store. The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values in the U.S., according to its website. Maximum values for most devices either decreased or saw no change, but the iPad Air received a slight bump. ...
iphone pocket%402x

Apple Debuts iPhone Pocket, a Limited Edition iPod Sock-Style Accessory

Tuesday November 11, 2025 1:23 am PST by
Apple has teamed up with Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE to launch iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted limited edition accessory designed to carry an iPhone, AirPods, and other everyday items. The accessory is like a stretchy pocket, not unlike an iPod Sock, but elongated to form a strap made of a ribbed, elastic textile that fully encloses an iPhone yet allows you to glimpse the display...
Apple fitness plus feature

Future of Apple Fitness+ 'Under Review'

Sunday November 9, 2025 5:30 am PST by
The future of Apple Fitness+ is "under review" amid a reorganization of the service, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple Fitness+ remains one of the company's "weakest digital offerings." The service apparently suffers from high churn and little revenue. Nevertheless, Fitness+ has a small, loyal fanbase that...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Early Black Friday iPhone Deals

Monday November 10, 2025 10:18 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
homepod mini colors

New HomePod Mini Coming Soon With These Features

Tuesday November 11, 2025 7:30 am PST by
Apple is expected to announce a new HomePod mini imminently, headlining with new chips. Here are all of the new features we're expecting. The second-generation HomePod mini is highly likely to contain a more up-to-date chip for more advanced computational audio and improved responsiveness. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip from 2019. Apple is likely ...
Liquid Glass General Feature

Apple Shares Liquid Glass Design Gallery

Thursday November 6, 2025 2:45 pm PST by
Apple is promoting the new Liquid Glass design in iOS 26, showing off the ways that third-party developers are embracing the aesthetic in their apps. On its developer website, Apple is featuring a visual gallery that demonstrates how "teams of all sizes" are creating Liquid Glass experiences. The gallery features examples of Liquid Glass in apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. Apple...

Top Rated Comments

abatabia Avatar
23 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
23 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)
PowerMac5500 Avatar
23 months ago
Deleted
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stocklen Avatar
23 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)
moabal Avatar
23 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)
ghanwani Avatar
23 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)