Apple is reportedly planning to release a new HomePod in 2023.
The company discontinued the original HomePod and introduced a new HomePod mini as a successor, but now that the firm has seen some success with its smart speaker, it appears that the original HomePod could return – perhaps in a new form factor, too.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg has suggested that the device will be similar to the original HomePod and offer “comparable audio quality” and will use Apple’s upcoming S8 processor from the Apple Watch Series 8, which could go some way in bringing down the price of the machine.
The new device already has an internal codename, B620, and will use the same chip that will feature in the upcoming Apple Watch. Gurman says that the new machine will offer similar performance to the previous generation, and it will feature an updated display on the top.
Apple had previously shelved plans to release a follow-up to the original HomePod, and since then, the firm has been working on different smart speaker technology, including a reported rival to the Amazon Echo Show with a screen and camera for FaceTime video calls.
Ming-Chi Kuo previously suggested that a new HomePod could be released towards the end of 2022 or perhaps in early 2023, adding that there “may not be much innovation in hardware design.”
Apple released the first HomePod in 2017 and the device struggled to generate sales due to its high price tag. The company eventually reduced the price of the machine and then discontinued it, as Apple failed to make an impact when compared with Google Home and Amazon Echo.
Are you looking forward to a new HomePod? Let us know and check back soon for more!