HomePod rumors & launch dates: HomePod mini 2, HomePod Contact & HomePad good house hub

HomePod 3 with display: Rumors & launch date of HomePod Contact

• Doable launch: early to mid 2026
• Show measurement: Touchscreen 6 and 7-inches
• Software program: Customized touchscreen working system working apps like Climate, Calendar, Images, HomeKit in addition to Apple Music

The HomePod mini has a bigger sibling and even greater issues are rumored for that mannequin.

One of many HomePod’s largest limitations is its reliance on Siri, which nonetheless struggles with advanced instructions. Many customers find yourself controlling the speaker by way of their iPhone as a substitute, which will be inconvenient and drain battery life. A built-in display may present a extra direct and dependable strategy to work together with the machine.

There has lengthy been hypothesis Apple is engaged on a HomePod with a built-in show, which could possibly be referred to as HomePod Contact. This machine is predicted to characteristic a 6-7-inch touchscreen that will enable the HomePod to perform as a wise hub with apps and visuals as well as a wise speaker.

This new HomePod would run homeOS or the same touch-optimized UI for apps like Climate, Calendar, Images, Apple Music, and HomeKit.

Apple has been working redesigning the HomePod to incorporate a show for a while. Again in March 2023, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed Apple would “unveil a redesigned HomePod that includes a 7-inch panel.” Kuo initially anticipated this product to reach within the first half of 2024, however that timeline slipped. In December 2024, he reported additional delays had pushined the launch to after WWDC 2025, citing software program improvement challenges. Then, in March 2025, Kuo recommended the machine had been delayed once more, because of Apple Intelligence setbacks.

Present hypothesis suggests a attainable launch within the first half of 2026, nevertheless, that might slip additional as the most important updates to Siri and Apple’s AI platform have been additional delayed. Alternatively, the HomePod Contact could achieve AI associated options as a part of a later software program replace.

Foundry

HomePod Contact: Options & specs

As with the HomePod mini 2, the touchscreen HomePod is predicted to characteristic a chip able to supporting the AI-enhanced Siri, however it can additionally have to help a customized touchscreen working system, probably derived from tvOS. Given the calls for of such a touchscreen interface and superior software program, this may doubtless imply A-series and even M-series silicon, probably an A17 Professional.

Fairly than simply being a speaker with a display, it’s thought the machine will probably be a central good house controller with enhanced HomeKit and Matter machine management, doubtlessly rivalling Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Present gadgets.

Different anticipated options embody:

• Specs: Apple’s N1 networking chip, Wi-Fi 6E help, and an upgraded U2 Extremely Wideband chip for improved machine handoff.
• Modular design: Some rumors level to a modular design, the place a screen-based hub may magnetically dock onto a full-size HomePod speaker. This might enable the machine to perform as a stationary high-fidelity speaker whereas additionally supporting FaceTime calls and good house administration.
• Show: The show is extensively rumored to measure round 7-inches, placing it in direct competitors with good shows from Amazon and Google.

Ben Patterson/Foundry

HomePod Contact: Design

Not like present HomePods, which depend on a small LED floor for controls and animations, this mannequin is predicted to characteristic a 7-inch full show able to displaying helpful info and appearing as a touchscreen management interface.

A while in the past Swiss web site Useful Abovergleich and designer Eric Huismann created a collection of idea illustrations of how this new technology of HomePod may look. Right here’s how they think about the HomePod Present—a speaker with a digicam and a small touchscreen—may look.

Foundry

Nevertheless, this up to date HomePod may provide much more than a display to faucet once you need to select a playlist or skip a monitor. There are rumors that counsel placing a display on HomePod may remodel it into a brand new machine completely.