Apple has referenced an unreleased HomePod in iOS 16 code, suggesting a new model could launch this September alongside the release of the new operating system.
The company announced iOS 16 yesterday, and the first developer beta has been released, with developers and technology fans spending time combing through the code to find hidden features and future updates. The first major leak has already been found, and the company is working on a new HomePod, that’s not the HomePod or HomePod mini.
The new HomePod has been labelled “AudioAccessory6” whilst the original HomePod is named as AudioAccessory1, and the new HomePod mini AudioAccessory5.
It had previously been reported that Apple was planning to release a new HomePod later this year, with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggesting it could be delayed until 2023.
There’s no word yet on whether it’ll be a successor to the original HomePod or a new HomePod mini.
Separately, there have been reports that Apple is working on a new HomePod with a screen, and a new Apple TV box with a HomePod built-in, to compete against the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub.
Are you looking forward to a new HomePod? Let us know and check back soon for the latest!