Apple's HomePad arrives next week with three long-awaited features

Apple is finally set to unveil the HomePad next Tuesday at its 'Welcome home' event, ending months of speculation. The device, a smart speaker with a touchscreen, comes with three features that users have been begging for.

Context: years of rumors and a stagnant market

Ever since the original HomePod launched in 2018, Apple has flirted with a screen-equipped home device. Rumors heated up in 2023 when patents leaked showing a speaker with an articulated display. Meanwhile, rivals like Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub dominated the space without a real Apple alternative. The 'Welcome home' event next Tuesday appears to be the answer.

Details: the HomePad's three key features

According to recent leaks, the HomePad will include:

• 7-inch touchscreen with support for FaceTime and gesture recognition.
• Enhanced Siri with generative AI, able to hold contextual conversations and control home devices without exact phrases.
• Shared home mode, allowing multiple profiles and personalized notifications for each family member.

The device will run an adapted tvOS, according to 9to5Mac, and is expected to cost $349. It will come in white and black, and can be wall-mounted or placed on a stand.

Analysis: a lifeline for Apple's smart home?

Apple is late, but it has an edge: its closed ecosystem and HomeKit integration could offer a smoother experience than rivals. However, success hinges on Siri finally pulling its weight. If the generative AI works as promised, the HomePad could become the digital home hub. The losers would be Amazon and Google, whose premium share would erode.

Implications: the future of the home and Apple's strategy

This launch marks a shift in Apple's strategy, aiming to monetize services like Apple Music and Apple TV+ through an always-on device. It also pressures developers to create home apps. If the HomePad succeeds, we could see a new line of home products, including a smaller version or even a domestic robot.

The HomePad isn't just a speaker with a screen; it's Apple's bet to own the living room. Will it be enough to convince skeptics?

Source: 9to5Mac