William Gallagher
South Korean press unexpectedly claims that Apple's anticipated new HomePod with a display will use high-quality OLED screens, all of which are to be manufactured in China.
The much-rumored HomePod with a built-in screen has most recently been predicted to be launched in the second half of 2025. But Chinese display firm Tianma is said to have already got the exclusive order, and will be making OLED screens.
According to Seoul Economic Daily, the company is believed to be planning screens of between 6 inches and 7 inches, and using the low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) version of OLED. Reportedly, this is also the first time that a Chinese company has gained an exclusive contract, beating South Korean rivals.
Reportedly Tianma is able to provide the HomePod screens at a cost between $10 and $15 less than Korean firms.
"The previous generation of HomePods did not gain much popularity, and the products introduced this time are also new form factors, so we have no choice but to pay attention to price competitiveness," an unspecified industry spokesperson said (in translation). "[With] LTPS, the gap between Korea and China is relatively small, and the cost-effective Chinese products would have been attractive."
It's claimed that Apple is working with Chinese firms to help them lower costs through technology innovations. As part of this effort, Apple is said to have opened four display research centers, in Beijing, Shenzhen, Suzhou, and Shanghai.
Perhaps as a consequence of this, the Seoul Economic Daily also reports that China's BOE display firm is to be one supplier of OLED screens for the MacBook Pro within two to three years.
The exclusive use of a Chinese firm for the HomePod, though, is particularly significant as Apple continues to move away from its over-reliance on China as its sole source for many components and devices. It's also significant as US/China trade tensions are continuing.
However, while the sources say that the new HomePod will use the lower-cost LTPS version of OLED, it still seems overkill for a screen that will presumably only be glanced at. Apple is expected to make this device into a Home Hub, which would mean displaying HomeKit controls, but the screen still won't be looked at as much as an iPhone or iPad.
Seoul Economic Daily does not have any noticeable track record in reporting Apple leaks. However, it claims to have sources within the display supply chain.
Tianma was previously rumored to be competing to provide screens for the forthcoming iPhone SE 4.
Wesley Hilliard
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10 Comments
I loved the original (big) HomePods. They had superior sound quality and great microphones. The bass was so accurate and rumbly. I still use them with my Apple TV at work.
"but the screen still won't be looked at as much as an iPhone or iPad."
I will be sorely disappointed if Apple copies the Amazon Echo Show 10 form factor as shown above. I think it's rather crude looking. What would be interesting in my opinion is if Apple incorporates some design inspiration from designs like John Lasseter's Luxo Jr character (Pixar) desk lamp and the Apple iMac G4 to have an articulated display element that's above the the sound element, i.e., the base. It could move the screen so it's always "looking" at you as you move. When you're standing up and preparing a meal it would move and tilt the screen to face you while you're working and when you sit down at a counter or table it will move and tilt to face you in your new position. Of course it would automatically adjust for lighting and adjust the sound to compensate for the room acoustics based on where you are physically located. Since some people would find the tracking feature annoying or creepy, it would also support using Siri to fix it at one position until you tell it too move, like "Siri, I'm over here now."
Please Apple, no iPad on a stump.
Have to wonder how big the market niche for this type of product is. It's basically a stationary iPad, and perhaps with a speaker attached. Amazon tried really hard with every possible smart agent/assistant device, including rumored HomePod, and they are basically in retreat. Nothing has stuck where a device is used a lot, or enough to get increasing sales so that Amazon revs the hardware faster.
It almost seems AR/VR products are just as successful as these types of products, and I see a better future eye wearables than these ambient computing audio devices.
The home hub will be a single AI-powered device, probably with no screen. It will, however, connect wirelessly with multiple terminal screens that can be positioned in various locations throughout the house. The hub will also power AI for HomePods.