HomePod with Multi-Touch display again rumored as unreleased “Z314” device discovered
An all-new HomePod featuring a Multi-Touch display is once again hitting the news cycle following the recent discovery of a new device identified as “Z314” powered by an A15 Bionic chip— the very same chip found in the iPad mini 6. The references were found in the latest tvOS 17.4 beta code, the operating system that fuels the HomePod.
As reported by 9to5Mac, the code reveals that there are internal development and also production versions of the new device under test, which suggests that the product may have reached an advanced stage of development.
To add fuel to the fire, the report claims that tvOS 17.4 beta 3 adds SwiftUI frameworks to the HomePod firmware.
The rumored new device, which would be used to control HomeKit devices, make FaceTime calls, and more would be Apple’s take on the Meta Portal, combining the existing HomePod speaker with a low-end iPad, that will feature a special UI for users to access the Home app, FaceTime, and other apps for the smart home device.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed last year that the rumored new HomePod with Multi-Touch display would launch “next year at the earliest,” with the findings by 9to5Mac seemingly reaffirming the earlier report.