Apple might have already set its plan to unveil the upcoming HomePod that will feature an in-display by 2024, Ming-Chi Kuo, a known tech analyst reveals.
According to the tipster, the Cupertino firm will be relying on Chinese supplier Tianma for the production of the display.
The move is said to be in line with the iPhone maker's strategy to improve its smart home business for the years to come.
Apple HomePod with Built-in Display
Apple just introduced the HomePod 2 this January 2023 which comes with improved functionality including the addition of humidity and temperature sensors.
Speaking of which, the successor of the second-gen smart speaker is expected to arrive next year, according to Kuo.
Earlier this year, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman hinted that Apple was working to produce a kitchen accessory that makes use of both a smart home speaker and iPad.
The tech writer claimed that the tech giant wants to improve its smart home products as part of its strategy to compete with Google and Amazon's devices.
According to Engadget, it's still not yet revealed if the same built-in display for the low-end iPad will be the similar feature that will be launched for the rumored HomePod.
The only thing that could most likely happen is that it will look like a typical HomePod with a small tablet and speaker.
The new HomePod which will be added in the lineup of new smart home gadgets will have a 7-inch display. This could be Apple's answer to Google's Nest Hub or Amazon's Echo Show.
Is Apple aiming to release matter-supported devices?
According to a report by TechCrunch, the reason why Apple wants to venture more about smart home development is because of the Matter-backed protocol which is intended for IoT devices.
"The new Matter smart home connectivity standard gives users more choice and interoperability to connect a wide variety of smart home accessories across different ecosystems," Matthew Costello, Apple's VP of Hardware Engineering and Operations said in an interview with TechCrunch last month.
If Apple succeeds in bringing Thread-based accessories to the scene, then it might be the right opportunity to attract more customers who are looking for worthy smart home speakers with more advanced support.
Tianma as Apple's Display Supplier
With Chinese panel supplier Tianma's potential collaboration with Apple, the iPhone maker is already one step ahead of its competitors in display shipments.
Tianma might just be following the footsteps that BYD or BOE did for low-end devices until it begins to handle higher-end products with several tech upgrades.
If this will happen very soon, it's a win-win for both Apple and Tianma who are seeking leverage in a competitive tech market.
