Apple would be ready to launch a new HomePod model in late 2023, and a HomePod mini refresh in 2024according to Mark Gurman.
After the disappearance of the original HomePod from the Apple catalog, there are many rumors about a new model of this speaker that could see the light soon. Well, Mark Gurman today confirms 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 a model in early 2024, in addition to two other devices whose launch would not yet be confirmed.
The new HomePod will be more similar to the original HomePod than it is to the HomePod mini, both in size and sound quality. The heart of this new speaker would be the S8 processor, the same one that the next Apple Watch Series 8 will bring, and the same one that would be included in the new HomePod mini that will see the light a little later, in early 2024. What other news could these HomePod include?
There is talk of the new Bluetooth 5.2 as a novelty for the next Apple speakers. Let us remember that the launch of the new LC3 codec, which would allow higher quality audio transmission via 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, because traces of it have already been found in iOS 16, and in the AirPods Max too, so it seems certain that all new devices launched 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 this ruled out. The HomePod's Bluetooth is used for many other functions, such as home automation or initial configuration, but not for sound, which is streamed via AirPlay (WiFi)
What other devices could Apple launch? According to Gurman, there are two products whose launch has not yet been decided, but if they see the light, they would arrive at the end of 2023 at the earliest, rather the beginning of 2024. It would be two variations of the HomePod, one for the kitchen, which would be a hybrid of HomePod and iPad, and another for the living room, which will still be a hybrid of Apple TV, HomePod and webcam. That the first one is destined for the kitchen, you follow Gurman, is something I don't quite understand, but that the second one is destined for the living room, I do understand it more, since it would be a fundamental piece of a possible future home cinema "made in Manzana".