The year 2024 was not favorable for fans of new Apple product categories. It was the first twelve-month period in 13 years without a completely new product announcement in Apple’s lineup. However, there is hope that 2025 will be different, with the anticipation of Apple’s new “home product.” Recent speculations suggest it could be released as early as spring. There are various rumors about what this product might be. Some believe it could be a type of mini-iPad for controlling HomeKit, which can be transformed into a speaker using a dock. Others speculate that Apple might finally give the HomePod a proper display. It’s unclear if these are two separate devices or just one. In recent weeks, new information from Asia has emerged, which we will summarize here.
According to the electronics magazine DigiTimes, Apple has supposedly found an affordable supplier for 7-inch LCD displays intended for a “HomePod.” Whether this corresponds to the home device is still uncertain. The manufacturer is said to be the company Tianma, which reportedly receives only $10 per panel. This is intended to make the device more competitively priced.
Apple is allegedly considering using the A18 SoC for this device. This chip is relatively new, as it is found in the standard and Pro variants of the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro. The aim is to ensure that the new home device (and/or the HomePod with a screen) can execute Apple Intelligence, which the current HomePod cannot. Information regarding the A18 SoC also comes from other sources, such as Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities, who is usually well-connected within Apple’s supply chain. He also mentions a “HomePod with a 6 to 7-inch display” in 2025.
Apple has been involved in the smart home business for many years. However, aside from the HomePods, there haven’t been any proprietary products in this segment. Instead, the company has focused on software, which is increasingly moving towards Matter. In addition to the “home product,” Apple is also reportedly planning to offer genuine smart home products for the first time this year.
These products could include a doorbell or a secure video camera. However, the progress of these plans is unclear. The home product is also expected to receive a new operating system called homeOS, which, like the HomePod firmware, is based on tvOS. It is rumored that there will be no separate App Store for this system.
Overall, 2025 could be an exciting year for Apple enthusiasts, especially those interested in smart home technology. With potential new products and innovations on the horizon, Apple seems poised to make a significant impact in the smart home market. Whether these rumors materialize into actual products remains to be seen, but the anticipation is certainly building.