According to leaker and prototype collector "Kosutami", Apple is continuing development of a new HomePod with a curved LCD display. The device, codenamed B720, uses the same design as the current HomePod, but is equipped with a curved LCD screen on top to display content.
In October, Kosutami shared images of parts it said were part of a touchscreen HomePod prototype. Other reports at the time claimed to have verified the authenticity of the images from other sources.
Apple is believed to be working on making Apple Music and Apple Podcasts compatible with the new display, which will show a blurry animation based on the color of the album cover when a song or podcast is played. The screen may also display important notifications.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman first suggested in 2021 that Apple was developing new HomePods with displays and cameras. Earlier this year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple plans to release a redesigned HomePod with a 7-inch display in the first half of 2024.
In the longer term, Apple is believed to be rethinking its smart home strategy and is developing an Apple TV and HomePod combo device, as well as a HomePod with a screen mounted on a robotic arm, according to Gurman.