Apple's Rumored HomePod With Display May Face Another Delay
The device is expected to be part of Apple's repositioning as a leader in the smart home space.
Apple's display-equipped HomePod is reportedly delayed.
Apple's reported product delays keep on coming. Prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote in a blog post on Wednesday the company's long-rumored HomePod with a built-in display is facing yet another delay due to ongoing software development challenges.
The device, expected to feature an A18 processor, a 6- to 7-inch display and support for Apple Intelligence, was initially anticipated to launch this year but was postponed to the first quarter of 2025. Kuo's latest report suggests it won't debut until after Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
The company did not respond to a request for comment.
The rumored launch of the new HomePod is seen as part of Apple's broader push into the smart home arena, a space where the company has traditionally lagged behind competitors like Google and Amazon.
In addition to the HomePod, Apple is reportedly working on a wall-mounted smart display designed to directly control smart home products within the household. Bloomberg reported in November that CEO Tim Cook has prioritized the development of this display as part of a larger effort to establish Apple as a major player in smart home technology.
A revamped HomePod with a screen would allow Apple to better compete in the smart speaker market, enabling users to interact with both visual and audio components.
"Apple has a history of successfully repositioning existing products," Kuo wrote. "A notable example is the Apple Watch, which transitioned from an iPhone accessory and fashion product to a health management device."
Kuo also previously predicted that Apple will launch a smart home IP camera in 2026, designed to wirelessly integrate with the new HomePod.
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