A new piece of text discovered in the fourth beta of iOS 26 suggests that Apple’s long-rumored HomePod with a built-in display may be nearing its official launch. While a HomePod with a screen has been anticipated since 2021, and rumored for quite some time, the device has yet to materialize.
The intriguing text, found within a location-related setting and first reported by MacRumors, states: “Your HomePod won’t be able to show you the local weather, time, or respond to Siri requests about your area”. The use of the word “show” is particularly noteworthy, as current HomePod and HomePod mini models do not feature a display, making the wording seem out of place.
The rumored device has reportedly faced numerous delays, with the most recent being in December 2024. Analysts and leakers widely agree that this new HomePod would incorporate Apple Intelligence. However, Apple has encountered challenges with its Apple Intelligence rollout, which could be a contributing factor to the HomePod’s delay. If these software development hurdles are indeed the cause, it might be some time before the device makes its public debut.
While this discovery lends some credibility to the existence of a HomePod with a display, it’s important to note that the text could potentially refer to information being displayed on a user’s iPhone or another device via a notification.
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