Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today reiterated his belief that a new HomePod with a screen will enter mass production in the third quarter of 2025.
Kuo is likely referring to Apple’s rumored smart home hub, which is expected to have a square iPad-like screen that can be attached to a HomePod-like speaker base, or mounted on a wall. If his timeframe is accurate, it means that the device would enter mass production after Apple’s annual developers conference WWDC in June.
Kuo originally predicted that the HomePod with a screen would enter mass production in the first quarter of 2025, but he said manufacturing was pushed back due to “software development issues,” including Apple Intelligence. Last week, Apple said that the more personalized version of Siri that it previewed at WWDC 2024 last year is taking longer than it expected, and it now anticipates rolling out the new Siri features “in the coming year.” It would make sense if Apple’s smart home hub has been postponed too, as a result.
Kuo said another reason for the delay is ensuring that the device’s interface aligns with software updates coming later this year, including iOS 19. Maybe (or maybe not) this relates to Apple’s rumored visionOS-like software redesign plans, which could extend to the all-new homeOS operating system that is expected on the smart home hub.
Apple’s smart home hub is rumored to feature a 6-inch or 7-inch display, and an A18 chip. It would allow users to control smart home accessories, make FaceTime video calls, use Apple’s intercom feature between rooms in a house, and more. It might even double as a home security system with an Apple-designed camera.
It is unclear if the home hub will launch in late 2025, or if the delays will push it back until 2026.
Popular Stories
iOS 19 Will Bring Biggest Design Overhaul Since iOS 7
Apple is planning for a major design overhaul of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac interfaces with the introduction of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 later this year, reports Bloomberg. The update will “fundamentally change” the look of Apple’s operating system, introducing a more consistent cross-platform experience. Apple plans to update the style of icons, menus, apps, windows, and system…
Apple One’s Best Plan Now Includes Two More Perks For Free
Apple One allows you to subscribe to up to six Apple services for one discounted monthly price. There are three Apple One tiers: Individual, Family, and Premier. Over the last month, the highest-end Apple One Premier plan has gained two additional perks. Here is what Apple One Premier already included, for $37.95 per month:Apple Music Apple TV+ Apple Arcade Apple News+ Apple Fitness+…
AirPods Pro 3 Launch Now Just Months Away: Here’s What We Know
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple’s premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as excellent for…
Apple Introduced Its Most Controversial MacBook 10 Years Ago Today
Apple announced the infamous 12-inch Retina MacBook a decade ago today, an experimental new Mac that was as controversial as it was revolutionary. Apple unveiled the 12-inch MacBook on March 9, 2015, at the “Spring Forward” event in San Francisco, California. The event was primarily focused on the Apple Watch, which was being fully detailed ahead of its launch the following month, so the…
12 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.4
Apple is set to release iOS 18.4 in early April, bringing further refinements to Apple Intelligence features, a neat new capability to iPhone 15 Pro devices, new emoji, and more. While not quite as packed with new features as Apple’s preceding iOS 18 point releases, iOS 18.4 still introduces enhancements that aim to make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below, we’ve listed 12 new…
Video Shows iPhone 17 Mockups Based on ‘Internal Documents’
YouTuber iDeviceHelp on Friday posted a video that shows off mockups of Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 17 models that are purportedly based on “internal documents.” We’re sharing the video here since it was made in collaboration with leaker Majin Bu, who last month published similar iPhone 17 renders that were widely corroborated by separate leakers with links to Apple’s Chinese supply chain….
iOS 18.3.2 Update Coming Soon for iPhones
Apple employees are internally testing iOS 18.3.2 for iPhones, according to our website’s visitor logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. The software update should be released in the next week or two. iOS 18.3.2 will be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. Don’t expect any new features. iOS 18.3.2 will be an interim…
iPhone 17 Air and 17 Pro Max Allegedly Same Size Apart From Thickness
Apple’s all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air shares the same dimensions as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with the only difference being in the thickness of the devices, according to the leaker Ice Universe. Posting to their Weibo account, the Chinese leaker today claimed that the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max have identical body length, width, screen size, and bezels. “The only difference is the…
Apple Upgrades CarPlay in Two Ways
The upcoming iOS 18.4 update for the iPhone includes a smaller but meaningful improvement for Apple’s in-car iPhone mirroring system CarPlay. Specifically, CarPlay now shows a third row of icons, up from two rows previously. However, this change is only visible in vehicles with a larger center display. For example, a MacRumors Forums member noticed the change in a Toyota Tundra with a…
