Apple would be ready to launch a new HomePod model in late 2023 and a mini HomePod refresh in 2024according to Mark Gurman.
After the disappearance of the original HomePod from the Apple catalog, many rumors are circulating about a new model of this speaker which could see the light of day soon. Well, Mark Gurman confirms today that Apple could launch this new HomePod at the end of this year 2023. And not only that, but it would also update the HomePod mini with an early 2024 model, in addition to two other devices that are yet to be confirmed for launch.
The new HomePod will be more similar to the original HomePod than the HomePod mini, both in size and sound quality. The heart of this new speaker would be the S8 processorthe same that the next Apple Watch Series 8 will bring, and the same that would be included in the new HomePod mini that will be released a little later, in early 2024. What other news could these HomePods include?
We talk about the new Bluetooth 5.2 as a novelty for the next Apple speakers. Remember that the launch of new LC3 codec, which would allow higher quality audio transmission over a Bluetooth connection. Although this codec can be used in current devices, to take full advantage of its potential it is necessary to have Bluetooth 5.2, so only devices with this could take full advantage of LC3. That Apple is preparing compatibility with this new codec is somewhat confirmed, as traces of it have already been found in iOS 16, and in the AirPods Max too, so it seems certain that all new devices launching this year will include Bluetooth 5.2.
That Apple includes this Bluetooth in the HomePod does not mean that we will be able to send music to its speakers using this type of connection, you can consider that excluded. HomePod’s Bluetooth is used for many other functions, such as home automation or initial setup
What other devices might Apple launch? According to Gurman, there are two products whose launch has not yet been decided, but if they see the light of day, they would arrive at the end of 2023 at the earliest, rather the beginning of 2024. They would be two versions of the HomePod, one for the kitchen, which would be a hybrid of HomePod and iPad, and another for the living room, which would still be a hybrid of Apple TV, HomePod and webcam. That the first is for the kitchen, you follow Gurman, is something I don’t quite understand, but that the second is for the living room, I understand it better, since it would be a fundamental piece of a possible future home cinema “made in Manzana”.