Apple plans to launch a new round of updates to its home product line this fall, in which Apple TV will receive performance improvements and HomePod mini is expected to usher in richer Siri functionality. The report quoted Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman as saying in his "Power On" newsletter that Apple has prepared hardware for the new Apple TV and HomePod mini and has been actually tested by employees at Apple's campus, but the launch time has been deliberately delayed.
This delay is mainly to coincide with the long-announced Siri overhaul and the simultaneous launch of a new generation of "Apple Intelligence" features, allowing these home devices to debut with new smart experiences.
Currently, Apple is believed to be still promoting a more advanced HomeHub product, but before that, the existing Apple TV and HomePod mini will be updated first. The report pointed out that the supply of HomePod mini in official online channels and retail stores has recently tightened, which is also regarded as one of the evidences that the product line is about to be adjusted.
Judging from the specific changes, this update of Apple TV is described as "modest" and mainly focuses on chip upgrades. It is expected to bring improvements in performance and efficiency, and may be equipped with a slightly improved new remote control. However, the product design, that is, the body structure and size of the Apple TV set-top box, is not expected to change significantly.
In comparison, HomePod mini’s upgrades are also mainly based on internal specifications, but the extent is considered to be more “refreshing”. According to reports, the new version of HomePod mini still continues the existing spherical design in appearance, and the overall shape is almost the same as the current model, but the S5 chip installed inside will be updated to a "more advanced" version to improve processing power and response performance.
People familiar with the matter said that although these two products are minor "specification updates" at the hardware level, the improvement in chip and overall system capabilities will enable them to better carry the upcoming Apple Intelligence and new-generation Siri functions. For this reason, Apple has chosen to bind hardware releases and software upgrades to the same time window this fall to present its smart strategic layout in the home scene in a unified manner.