Apple entered the good residence equipment section again in 2014 with iOS 8, which launched the HomeKit API to combine such merchandise with Siri. But it surely wasn’t till 2017 that Apple introduced HomePod, its first good speaker and general first good residence gadget.
The corporate now has two completely different fashions of HomePod, however in accordance with rumors, Apple desires to additional increase this lineup within the close to future. Right here’s the whole lot we find out about what Apple has been engaged on for its good residence product lineup.
The present HomePod lineup
Despite the fact that Apple sells HomeKit-compatible equipment in its shops, HomePod is at present the one collection of good residence merchandise made by the corporate. It began with the unique HomePod in 2017, which got here as a wise speaker possibility for customers who wished deeper integration with Apple’s ecosystem. In any case, HomePod is fully based mostly on Siri, AirPlay, and HomeKit.
As most of , the unique HomePod was later discontinued, as Apple was sad with the gross sales numbers. It was changed by the HomePod mini, which has the identical options however in a smaller and cheaper type issue, which made the product extra engaging to clients.
Earlier this 12 months, Apple introduced the second-generation HomePod, which seems precisely the identical as the unique mannequin however with some minor enhancements. Clients now have two choices for Apple’s good audio system. Nonetheless, HomePod and HomePod mini are usually not a lot completely different aside from sound high quality.
Apple desires to extend its share of good residence merchandise to compete with Amazon and Google. Again in 2020, Apple had solely 5% of the good speaker market share. For the reason that launch of the HomePod mini, that quantity has elevated to 12%. The corporate continues to be removed from Amazon’s practically 30% market share with Echo units, however the numbers present that having extra product choices out there ends in attracting extra clients.
However Apple’s plans embody having different classes of merchandise for the house that transcend simply good audio system.
iPad docking accent
One among these choices can be a docking accent with a built-in speaker for the iPad. Bloomberg reported final 12 months that Apple has been exploring the concept of mixing the iPad with an exterior speaker, permitting customers to dock their iPad to the accent to get a greater residence hub expertise.
The gadget would work equally to Google’s Charging Speaker Dock for the Pixel Pill. Since this product can be an adjunct for the iPad and never a standalone gadget, Apple may promote it at a lower cost to make it engaging. On the identical time, it may find yourself boosting each iPad and HomeKit accent gross sales.
A brand new dock for the iPad was first rumored to be introduced later this 12 months, however it’s unclear whether or not Apple will truly launch it.
HomePod with built-in show
One other rumor that has been gaining extra traction not too long ago is that Apple has been engaged on a brand new HomePod mannequin. In contrast to the present HomePod and HomePod mini, this new model would have a fully-functional built-in show. The event of this product has already been corroborated by a number of sources, together with Bloomberg.
Most not too long ago, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the gadget could have a 7-inch panel. The concept can be much like the Amazon Echo Present, which is principally a pill hooked up to a speaker with a customized interface for fast interactions.
A product like this might make HomePod extra engaging to individuals who don’t like Siri, as customers may work together with it immediately from the show. It could additionally work nice as a HomeKit accent hub. Each Kuo and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that this new HomePod must be introduced someday in 2024.
In a associated report, Apple can also be rumored to be engaged on the same product, however with a good bigger display screen and a built-in digital camera for FaceTime. However this model appears to be much more experimental and much from an precise launch.
Apple TV + HomePod mixed
Okay, HomePod just isn’t precisely the one product for the house that Apple at present has. Apple TV has been in the marketplace since 2007, and now the gadget not solely features as a set-top field but additionally as a HomeKit hub. Nonetheless, not like the HomePod, Apple TV just isn’t at all times on and prepared for fast interactions.
To vary this, Apple is claimed to be engaged on a new gadget that mixes the options of Apple TV and HomePod. It could work equally to the Roku Streambar, which is principally a soundbar that additionally has apps out there when linked to a TV.
This could enable customers to work together with the Apple TV via Siri at any time, identical to with the HomePod. On the identical time, the product itself would operate as a speaker, so customers wouldn’t have to pair HomePods to it. After all, a product like this isn’t prone to be low-cost, since shopping for an Apple TV and a pair of HomePod mini audio system immediately can value you over $300.
There are not any particulars about when Apple plans to introduce such a product.
Wrap up
With HomeKit and now the Matter customary (which can also be supported by Apple), the corporate will solely profit from having extra merchandise for the house. Whereas combating with Amazon and Google will definitely not be a simple activity, increasing the HomePod household ought to assist Apple acquire extra market share on this section.
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