A new HomePod with a built-in 7-inch display will be introduced in early 2024

This year, the tech company Apple unveiled a new HomePod that is similar to the original model. Where the company introduced the original model back in 2017. However, the company discontinued the device back in 2021. There are several rumors that suggest that Apple is developing a new product that will reportedly merge the iPad, Apple TV, and HomePod into a single device. Besides this, a fresh claim by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, suggests that the company will introduce a new HomePod having a built-in 7-inch display by next year.

According to the analyst, the new HomePod will be accompanied by a totally different design as compared to the present model. The most notable and distinguishing feature of the two devices will be the new 7-inch panel. The panel will be provided by Tianma, a Chinese company. The analyst claim that the new HomePod will permit a closer integration of the device with other hardware products of Apple.

Bloomberg claimed earlier this year that Apple was looking into various product concepts to support its ecosystem for smart homes. This features an iPad-like tablet that can be wall-mounted and used to manage FaceTime calls, play videos, and control HomeKit gadgets.

Besides this, Apple is internally testing a new device that merges the capacities and functions of the iPad, Apple TV, and HomePod. It sounds similar idea to the one presented with Amazon Echo Show. It is a tablet connected to a speaker for quick interaction. At this moment, it’s unclear whether Kuo is talking about this combined device or whether Apple is merely aiming to upgrade the current HomePod design with a standard display.

A display on top of Apple’s smart speaker that may show essential information like media controls and smart home accessories has already been considered in several HomePod ideas.