Apple’s Upcoming ‘Home Accessory’ Could Boast ‘Squarish’ Display
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In July, we reported that Apple has a new “Home Accessory” device with an iPad-like smart display that will serve as a home hub to allow users to control their HomeKit and Matter devices. Now, there’s some new information about the device’s potential design.
Apple calls the device the “HomeAccessory” internally and the upcoming smart home device sports a “squarish display,” according to a report by 9to5Mac. While it was originally believed that the device’s screen would be somewhat like an iPad’s display in shape, a more square display would help make it more distinct from the iPad and its rectangular display.
While Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman has previously described Apple’s smart home hub as “iPad-like,” he’s also described a simpler, separate HomePod-like device with a screen.
9to5Mac says that it is unclear whether the square design will be part of the released product. The rumored home accessory reportedly boasts a built-in camera to allow FaceTime calls. It will also be able to identify hand gestures from afar and tell one person from another for personalized requests. The device will be able to run apps and play media like an Apple TV while also serving as an AirPlay receiver.
In July, we reported about signs of the HomeAccessory being spotted in Apple’s backend code. The backend code contains references to a new home accessory and new iPads. The code includes references to a “HomeAccessory17,1” identifier, which is a new device category.
Apple’s HomePod devices have always used “AudioAccessory” identifiers. The original 2017 HomePod carried an “AudioAccessory1,1” identifier, while “AudioAccessory5,1” identifies the HomePod mini, and “AudioAccessory6,1” is used to identify the early 2023 second-generation HomePod.
The backend code also indicated that the “home accessory” will run a version of the tvOS operating system, which is currently powering the Apple TV and HomePod. A test version reportedly is powered by an A18 chip, so Apple could possibly launch the device soon. It could perhaps be unveiled alongside Apple’s upcoming new iPads.
Over the summer, we saw leaks suggesting that Apple had two HomePod-like devices in the works. A “B720” device is expected to be little more than a traditional HomePod with an LCD panel on top, while a more exciting “Z314” device is said to boast an iPad mini-sized display, making it a much more hub-like device. It is possible that the “Z314” could instead sport the “squarish” display described above.
As noted by iDrop News scribe Jesse Hollington, Apple’s artificial intelligence initiative, Apple Intelligence, means Apple would need to use at least an A17 Pro to power the device since Apple will likely not want to release any new devices that don’t offer support for the new AI features.
He also added that since none of Apple’s existing HomePods are Apple Intelligence-capable, it makes sense that Apple is developing a much more powerful device with a much more intelligent Siri. We can expect the new device to go beyond just smart speaker features, instead acting as a full-featured home accessory.
We’ve heard rumors for years about a HomePod that could act as an Apple Home Hub and such a device has long been missing from the HomeKit ecosystem.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
