Leaked photo shows Apple testing a third-gen HomePod with an LCD touchscreen
Leaked images posted on "X" show the components of a circular touch screen LCD display that is being tested on the top of a new HomePod smart speaker. There is also a leaked photograph of a HomePod prototype being tested with the new display. The image was posted on X by an Apple prototype collector with the username "@KosutamiSan." The circular ring on the top of the current HomePod is used to activate Siri, adjust the volume on playbacks as well as pause a track, skip a track, go back a track, and dismiss an alarm.
Apple entered the smart speaker business late and it wasn't until the HomePod mini was released with a smaller footprint and a smaller price, that Apple experienced some level of success in the smart speaker market. The original HomePod was priced at $349 and was reduced after a year to $299. At $99, the HomePod mini is more affordable which helps explain its success. Apple has since released a second full-size HomePod which is also pricey at $299.
Leaked photo shows a new HomePod being tested with an LCD touch screen on top
9to5 Google checked with its sources who confirmed that the prototype in the photo, dubbed B720, is a new device that Apple is currently working on. The LcdUTest app that appears in the photo on the display at the top of the HomePod happens to be an app used internally by Apple engineers to test the display.
As for the functionality of the new display, 9to5Google has learned that the screen will show blurred animation of colors based on an album's cover art when a song is playing. It also might alert users to an incoming phone call and allow them to respond to a message.
An Engineering build HomePod frameshell with a completely different glass on top- it’s set for touchscreen, with black bezel
— Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) October 21, 2023
The design of shell is similar to HomePod 2nd gen's, not the 1st gen—it stands might decided add ️ for 2's but not at last, OR it’s next generation pic.twitter.com/W5zRIVGPiK
Since the device in the picture is considered an advanced-stage prototype, it is possible that this new HomePod will soon be introduced as a replacement for the second-generation HomePod which was released on February 3rd this year. With Apple now rumored to introduce three new iPod models in March, that might be a good time for the third-generation HomePod to be introduced.
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