The rumor: Apple is working on new, combo versions of the HomePod, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).
- Gurman notes the devices is in “early development,” and would include features from both HomePod, Apple TV and include a camera for video calling
- There’s a second device in the works, too: “Apple has explored connecting the iPad to the speaker with a robotic arm that can move to follow a user around a room, similar to Amazon’s latest Echo Show gadget.”
Our take: Apple’s future HomePods sound like a stark departure from the smart speaker category they’ve explored historically. I’ll be honest–the robotic arm HomePod/iPad combo sounds pretty cheesy. I just hope it won’t look like what I’m imaging in the header image, though…
