What you need to know
- Apple announced iOS 16 on Monday and released the first beta to developers.
- It contains code that references an as-yet-unreleased HomePod.
- Previous rumors indeed indicate Apple is working on a new smart speaker.
Apple's first iOS 16 beta appears to have confirmed reports that a new HomePod is on the way, with a reference to just such a device found in the code.
As noted by 9to5Mac:
As discovered by 9to5Mac, there are references to an unreleased HomePod model hidden in the iOS 16 beta code. This HomePod is labeled internally as "AudioAccessory6," while HomePod mini is "AudioAccessory5" and the original HomePod is "AudioAccessory1."
There's nothing to glean about the device beyond its existence at this stage, however, we have heard plenty previously about Apple's possible plans to debut a new smart speaker that could sit alongside the HomePod mini.
In May Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple will release a new smart speaker at the end of this year or at beginning of next year, but stated that "there may not be much innovation in hardware design."
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that Apple is testing multiple new types of smart speakers including a battery-powered portable version, and an all-inclusive home entertainment unit that could see Apple TV merged into the smart speaker, or indeed a smart speaker that houses an iPad-Esque display for interactions.
Apple announced iOS 16, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9, macOS Ventura, and not one but two new MacBook's at its WWDC keynote yesterday. The developer betas of these are now available for brave users to test out, and public versions will be made available next month.
