Apple appears to be testing a number of completely different concepts for future characteristic additions for the HomePod sensible speaker, so we thought we might spotlight the entire completely different speaker rumors that we have heard to date.

A minimum of one HomePod replace is anticipated in 2023, although we could also be ready longer for a few of the extra fantastical performance that we have seen rumored.

Bigger-Sized HomePod (2023)

Apple in 2021 discontinued the unique full-sized HomePod so as to give attention to the extra fashionable HomePod mini, however rumors recommend that Apple is as soon as once more able to attempt promoting a bigger HomePod speaker.

Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman stated in 2020 that Apple is engaged on a HomePod that will be bigger than the ‌HomePod mini‌ and nearer in measurement to the unique HomePod. It could possibly be between the HomePod and ‌HomePod mini‌ in measurement, sound high quality, and price, providing an choice for individuals who need one thing larger than the mini however not as costly as the primary HomePod.

Such a speaker could possibly be priced someplace round $150 to $200, which might exceed the value of the $99 ‌HomePod mini‌, however can be extra inexpensive than the $299 HomePod.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in Might 2022 stated that Apple is designing a brand new HomePod, however he didn’t present specifics on sizing and he stated there “is probably not a lot innovation in {hardware} design” for the brand new HomePod. It is potential that he was speaking about the identical middle-tier HomePod that Gurman has talked about, however with a design much like the HomePod.

The brand new HomePod might characteristic a multi-touch show on the highest for bodily management functions, together with an S8 processor, the identical processor that is within the Apple Watch Collection 8.

Kuo stated that the brand new HomePod might come out in late 2022 or early 2023, whereas Gurman says the bigger HomePod is on observe for a 2023 launch.

With 2022 out now that the yr is near over, it is sounding like we might see some type of new HomePod choice within the first quarter of the yr, if the rumors are correct. Apple might, maybe, pair a brand new speaker announcement with the launch of Apple Music Classical, a brand new ‌Apple Music‌ characteristic that was slated for 2022 however didn’t come out.

New HomePod Mini (2023)

Alongside the bigger HomePod that is within the works, Apple might do a easy refresh of the ‌HomePod mini‌. New options will not be anticipated, nor are design adjustments, however up to date colours can be straightforward sufficient for Apple to debut. If a brand new HomePod is slated for 2023, it is seemingly {that a} minor refresh to the ‌HomePod mini‌ would come on the identical time.

Apple TV and HomePod Hybrid

Apple sooner or later might mix the Apple TV and the HomePod into one machine, making a set-top field with high-end audio capabilities, in line with Bloomberg‘s ‌Mark Gurman‌.

This HomePod and ‌Apple TV‌ hybrid machine might characteristic a digital camera for video calls, with a related TV serving because the display screen. It will operate like an ‌Apple TV‌, providing gaming, help for streaming content material, and music playback.

The mission was described as being within the early phases in 2021, and it’s not but clear if Apple will transfer ahead with it, however it’s a design concept that makes a variety of sense as a result of the ‌HomePod mini‌ and the ‌Apple TV‌ each run the identical working system and are sometimes used for a few of the identical functions.

iPad and HomePod Hybrid

Apple has been experimenting with future HomePod designs that would embody a display screen of some sort, akin to the Google Nest Hub Max, the Echo Present, and the Fb Portal.

Bloomberg‘s ‌Mark Gurman‌ has described the machine that Apple is engaged on as a high-end HomePod speaker related to an iPad utilizing a robotic arm. The arm would be capable of rotate and transfer, following a consumer across the room when on a video name, for a extra superior model of the Middle Stage video characteristic that Apple has added to a few of its merchandise.

The ‌iPad‌/HomePod hybrid has been described as a tool that’s within the conceptualization phases, so there’s a good probability that this one may by no means see the sunshine of day. If it does come out, it might launch within the type of deeper integration between a future HomePod and ‌iPad‌, together with an elective accent arm to attach the 2.

Apple has experimented with deeper integration between merchandise for the previous few years. The ‌iPad‌ and the Mac can hyperlink collectively to be managed with one mouse or trackpad and one keyboard, for instance, and the iPhone can hyperlink to a Mac to function its digital camera, so it will not be out of the query for Apple to pair the HomePod and ‌iPad‌ in new methods sooner or later.