Apple smart home products such as HomePod mini and Apple TV have been among the most talked about products in the past few years. The reason is that the current versions of devices in this category were released 4-6 years ago. Updates have been hampered by development issues with the AI assistant Siri. Apple successfully solved these problems, so the company continues to work on developing new devices for the smart home.
Image source: 9to5mac.com
Sources say Apple will release updated HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K in the fall. Developers will replace the S5 chip used in the current version of HomePod mini with an S9 or more powerful chip. New color options for the body may appear. The device will feature the new N1 chip, which is responsible for Wi-Fi wireless communications and debuted in the iPhone last year. From a hardware perspective, these improvements are fairly limited, but the important thing is that they will provide updated Siri support for HomePod mini, which will make the device even more useful.
As for Apple TV 4K, the updated TV box will replace the A15 Bionic chip with A17 Pro. This doesn’t look too impressive since the A17 Pro chip is three years old, but it seems adequate for a set-top box. This update will also bring support for the Siri AI assistant and some Apple Intelligence AI features. The design of the remote control is also expected to change.
HomePod mini currently sells for $129, while Apple TV 4K starts at $199. This is the cost of the device after Apple implemented a retail price increase in June. It’s unclear how much the next-generation model will cost.
The company has long been developing core components for smart homes. This hub can hit the market in two versions: a model that uses a magnetic system to fix the screen to the wall, and a version that fixes the screen to a base with speakers, like the Google Nest Hub.
This product should debut “October to early next year”. This means it could launch alongside HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K. The center will be equipped with a 7-inch square display, and its software base will be the new homeOS. The device will allow you to make video calls through FaceTime, interact with the AI assistant Siri, control smart home devices, and more. In terms of hardware, the new product will be equipped with an A18 chip.
A new version of the full-size HomePod is expected to appear in the near future. The device should be equipped with a more modern microprocessor to support the artificial intelligence assistant Siri. An exact release date has not yet been announced.
In the long term, Apple plans to release more smart home devices. Security cameras and video intercoms for smart homes are expected to appear in early 2027. As a result, Apple will no longer simply develop software for smart home devices, but will distribute them itself.
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