tvOS 18 Hints at HomePod With Touchscreen Display

[MacRumors]

There have been multiple rumors about Apple's work on various Apple TV and HomePod hybrid devices with a touchscreen over the last few years, and new findings in the tvOS 18 update further hint at the development that Apple is doing in the home space.

A unique touchscreen interface was allegedly found buried in tvOS 18 beta 3 by 9to5Mac, and the finding is actually relevant to the HomePod because the HomePod's software is an offshoot of the tvOS software. The interface is called "PlasterBoard" internally, and PlasterBoard is in line with the naming for other Apple interfaces, which include SpringBoard for iOS and iPadOS, PineBoard for tvOS, SoundBoard for HomePod, and SurfBoard for visionOS. The interface appears to feature just a Lock Screen with a touch-based keyboard for entering passcodes as of right now, with little else discovered about it.

The Apple TV does not include an option for locking it with a passcode, nor does the HomePod because as of right now, the HomePod only supports simple control gestures. The design that was found in the beta closely resembles the on-screen keypad that you see on an iPhone or an iPad.

Rumors have suggested that Apple is working on several home control devices, and the mix of rumors we've heard indicate that multiple development paths and prototypes are being explored. There have been rumors of a simple HomePod with a touch display at the top, a hybrid HomePod and Apple TV device with a camera, a HomePod with a screen and a camera, and an iPad/HomePod sort of combo that works as a centralized home hub.

A standard HomePod with an LED touch-based display at the top of the device could potentially be the first HomePod and display combo that we see. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said a HomePod with 7-inch display would launch at some point in 2024, and there have been leaked prototype images.

Last week, MacRumors found code referencing a "Home Accessory" device with a HomeAccessory17,1 identifier. No existing HomePod or Apple TV devices use the HomeAccessory identifier, but it is similar to the AudioAccessory identifier that Apple uses internally for the HomePod. Based on the numbering, this upcoming device is equipped with the same A18 chip we expect to see in the iPhone 16 lineup.

Article Link: tvOS 18 Hints at HomePod With Touchscreen Display

 

[betasp]

That design in the photo is just silly from a usability perspective. Who stands over top this HomePod for information?

 

[Premium1]

If it looks like the image, that is such a stupid design. I could MAYBE see if it was like what amazon and Google were doing (with a larger screen in front) but this just seems dumb (and terrible from a usability standpoint). Never once have I thought "man I really wish I could touch the screen on the homepod to interact with it."

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Throw everything at the wall to see what sticks.

 

[spaxxedout]

If it looks like the image, that is such a stupid design. I could MAYBE see if it was like what amazon and Google were doing (with a larger screen in front) but this just seems dumb (and terrible from a usability standpoint). Never once have I thought "man I really wish I could touch the screen on the homepod to interact with it."

Yeah there's no way they'd go with this design. I like what Amazon and Google are doing, and I wish Apple would make a horizontal magnetic dock for iPad that, when connected, changes the iPad's interface to something more akin to one of the larger Echo Show's.

 

[TMRJIJ]

This hardware design will not work for people who keep their speakers on the top shelf…

 

[gleepskip]

Yeah there's no way they'd go with this design. I like what Amazon and Google are doing, and I wish Apple would make a horizontal magnetic dock for iPad that, when connected, changes the iPad's interface to something more akin to one of the larger Echo Show's.

I would love that, but Apple will never do it. They want you to buy a standalone device with a screen for maximum profit instead of a BYOT dock like Google have.

 

[macfacts]

That design in the photo is just silly from a usability perspective. Who stands over top this HomePod for information?

Might as well put the display on the bottom of the homepod.😂

 

[TheNewLou]

It feels like this makes more sense as a remote UI that gets displayed on a phone, iPad, or even Apple TV, kinda like CarPlay, but in reverse

 

[trip1ex]

seeing the song being played would be useful on occassion. Not really needed tho.

 

[TheNewLou]

This makes more sense as a remote UI (as I just said) because otherwise tvOS now has all the complexity of a focus-based UI (remote control) and the complexity of a touch-based OS (iOS), in which case you might as well merge all their OSes together

 

[Night Spring]

With touch screen on top, my cats will be setting off the Home Pod even more than they do now.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Cats like to rock!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The big question: will version 3 stereo sync with version 2* or will you need to buy 2 of these for stereo? Will Apple choose the money or customer value & utility? Probably rhetorical (for some reason, owners will need this screen on both ends of the stereo pair).

If V3 doesn't pair with V2, how many rounds of this do people play before making the decision that maybe complete "smarts"-dependency in a technology that can otherwise last decades while producing identical quality sound is not a good idea?

*making reference to the decision to NOT allow version 2 to sync with version 1.

 

[ApostolisApo]

Stop speculating about how it will look like and go to 9To5Mac (link in the article) and see for yourselves!

 

[gleepskip]

Stop speculating about how it will look like and go to 9To5Mac (link in the article) and see for yourselves!

I'd prefer not to give 9to5 any clicks. Their Mac site frequently whines about Elon to generate traffic.

 

[Unity451]

I'm honestly surprised it's taken them this long.

 

[mozumder]

Instead of this kind of design, it’ll likely will look like a G4 iMac, maybe with a 13” monitor.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Nobody is going to care about a screen if Siri is still bad.

And Apple has not even hinted at improved Siri on HomePod.

 

[nuckinfutz]

Homepod to me simply means speaker. Apple's never said the requirements for a Homepod must be round or conical.

Simply sticking an iPad on a base won't work. iPads are too expensive and a Homepod with display needs to be affordable enough that you'd want to put them in a handful of areas.

Because of Homekit speaker capability you don't need to make the internal speakers massive. We should be able to send the audio to Homekit speakers placed elsewhere in our homes.

 

[gleepskip]

Homepod with display needs to be affordable

A speaker with an iPad glued to it isn't going to be an affordable Apple product.

 

[subjonas]

I would love that, but Apple will never do it. They want you to buy a standalone device with a screen for maximum profit instead of a BYOT dock like Google have.

If I got a HomePod with screen I would prefer a standalone device. I don’t want the screen to ever be gone and have to go searching for it, and I don’t want to be inhibited in using my iPad whenever I’m also using the HomePod.
Modular devices can save money, but don’t usually make for the ideal UX. Standalone devices do because they’re specially and totally designed for their intended use and don’t hamper other devices.

 

[roland.g]

The Google Pixel Tablet with magnetic charging dock and speaker gets it right. That’s the solution Apple should be copying. Until then the smart hub is just fragmented hardware.

 

[routine_analyst]

Oh yes... fight against the usage of a round display in your watch product but build a round display into the top of a device usually on the opposite side of your room....

 

[Piggie]

Might as well put the display on the bottom of the homepod.😂

No, that will be where the port for the charging cable plugs in when they release the portable version