Wesley Hilliard
A new tweet from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple may release a new version of the HomePod, but perhaps without a radical redesign.
After Apple discontinued the full-sized HomePod, speculation has been rampant about Apple reviving the overpriced product. Now, Ming-Chi Kuo has offered new information suggesting Apple could release a new version of HomePod in late 2022 or early 2023.
Kuo doesn't specify what kind of HomePod it would be or how it would differ from the existing HomePod mini. He only shares that Apple is still figuring out how to succeed in the smart speaker market.
The HomePod mini hasn't been updated since it debuted in November 2020 except to add new colors. The new rumor suggests that whatever Apple releases, it will at least be a new variation on the product and not a new color way.
Apple would release a new version of HomePod in 4Q22-1Q23, and there may not be much innovation in hardware design. Smart speakers are undoubtedly one of the essential elements of the home ecosystem, but I think Apple is still figuring out how to succeed in this market.
— (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 20, 2022
Ming-Chi Kuo has been active on Twitter and it isn't always clear where data analysis ends and speculation begins. His information as an analyst has proven accurate in the past, but he tends to miss on specific details surrounding a device's feature set.
For example, Kuo's recent tweets claim Apple could move the "iPhone 15" to USB-C in 2023 and other Apple products will follow suit. This is in direct opposition to his previous rumors of Apple avoiding USB-C in favor of a portless device.
Rumors surrounding Apple's smart speaker include a cheaper large HomePod, a HomePod sound bar that doubles as an Apple TV, and a HomePod with a screen. Judging by Kuo's innovation comment, the rumored device may be a simple large HomePod rerelease.
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50 Comments
Cant wait, love my two homepods and my one mini
I was so bummed out when they cancelled the original HomePod, I was hoping they’d introduce a larger model but I suspect a lot of it has to do with finding a sweet spot to establish the viability of the platform first before trying variations. I’m hoping that as it is becoming very successful it is making the case for reintroducing higher performance, more expensive speakers.
I have several HomePods, and do love the sound - I think Siri however is sometimes wonky, so perhaps an improved onboard processor is needed...
With the (beta) eARC function on the Apple TV, Apple needs a big sound HomePod like the original ones. It’s nice to have my other video sources outputting sound to my paired HomePods/Apple TV.