In recent months, the signs point to an imminent launch of Apple's first HomePod equipped with a screenVarious leaks and references found in beta versions of iOS 26 have shed light on what this new addition to the company's ecosystem would look like, which would compete with the current smart displays of its competitors. The anticipation is evident, especially because It would be Apple's definitive leap into the world of smart speakers with a visual panel..
Rumors about this HomePod with a screen have been reinforced by evidence found in the iOS 26 code itselfAlthough Apple hasn't officially commented on the device, ongoing findings in its operating systems and clues scattered throughout beta versions suggest the project is much more advanced than it seemed. The inclusion of the word "display" in system messages fuels the idea of a visual feature previously unseen in the HomePod range.
The key clue: iOS 26 and the HomePod with a screen
The trigger for the latest rumors lies in the fourth developer beta of iOS 26Specialized media have detected phrases in the settings that allude to the ability to "display" information on the HomePod. One of them reads: "Your HomePod won't be able to show you the local weather, the time, or respond to Siri requests about your area."The important detail is in the verb "show," since the current HomePods can only offer voice responses, lacking any type of screen.
This finding implies that Apple is preparing the ground at the software level. for a device capable of visually interacting with the user. If the iPhone operating system already includes these options, it's because the launch of the HomePod with a screen could be just around the corner. Everything points to its official presentation taking place in the final stretch of the year or at the beginning of the next.
What we know about the design and hardware
Leaks agree that the new HomePod It will bet on a square screen between 6 and 7 inches, with LCD technology. This panel would be the result of an agreement with suppliers such as Tianma, and although it will not match the quality of the iPad, it will be focused on simpler tasks and the display of customizable widgets or spheres, very much in line with the Apple Watch. The square format would facilitate a Experience focused on visual management of domestic information and quick control.
In terms of power, the bet would be ambitious: The HomePod with a screen would integrate the A18 Bionic chip, the same one present in the iPhone 16 range.This would allow the device to be equipped with new processing capabilities, full support for Siri and compatibility with Apple Intelligence, as well as openness to artificial intelligence assistants like ChatGPT via voice commands.
There has also been speculation about the inclusion of its own operating system called homeOS, derived from tvOS, but adapted with a touch interface and home-centric widgets. This system would seek to offer an intuitive experience for controlling smart devices, integration with HomeKit, and support for the Matter standard.
Expected functionalities and role in the connected home
According to the information known so far, The HomePod with a screen would act as the central brain of home automation.It will allow you to manage HomeKit-compatible devices, control other connected devices via Matter, and operate apps like Apple Music, Calendar, Weather, Photos, and Apple News. All from a completely new visual interface, oriented toward touch interaction and customized with widgets.
Another of the great unknowns lies in the integration of Siri and Apple IntelligenceAccording to various sources, adapting the new smart features to the device has been a challenge, potentially delaying its launch. The coexistence of artificial intelligence with traditional controls will be key to the user experience offered by this new HomePod.
The HomePod with a screen also aims to differentiate itself in the smart speaker market with a screen, a segment in which Google and Amazon have been competing for years with their Nest Hub and Echo Show, respectively. Apple is seeking to regain ground with this product and more naturally connect its ecosystem of devices in the home.
About the price, for now no concrete figures have been leaked, although Apple is expected to try to adjust the cost to avoid the low impact of previous releases.
Leaks and movements in the operating system suggest that the launch of the device would be a matter of timeThis product is poised to become the cornerstone of the connected home for Apple ecosystem users, providing visual control, tactile interaction, and all the capabilities of an advanced home automation hub.
