Hints of HomePod With Screen Found in iOS 26

In the fourth beta of iOS 26, there's some curious wording for a HomePod setting that references a ‌HomePod‌ with a display, perhaps hinting at a future product that could come out sometime in the not too distant future.

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There’s a location-related setting that has the following wording:

Your HomePod won't be able to show you the local weather, time, or respond to Siri requests about your area.

"Show" is an interesting word for Apple to choose, because right now, the ‌HomePod‌ isn't able to show anything like the weather or the time because it doesn’t have a screen to display the information.

There have been multiple rumors of a ‌HomePod‌ with a display over the last few years, and the screen-equipped ‌HomePod‌ may in fact turn out to be the home hub that Apple has in development.

Rumors suggest that the hub will have an iPad-like display, but with a square shape rather than a rectangular shape. It will be able to control all of your HomeKit and Matter devices, plus it will run Apple apps like Weather, Calendar, Apple Music, Photos, Apple News, and more.

Siri integration is expected, with ‌Siri‌ able to answer questions similar to how the ‌HomePod‌ works. In fact, Apple has reportedly delayed the launch of the home hub due to the issues that it has had developing the Apple Intelligence version of ‌Siri‌.

There's no clear word yet on when the home hub will launch due to the ‌Siri‌ delays, but we could see it late this year or early next year.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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Top Rated Comments

ultratiem Avatar
6 days ago at 02:15 pm
Why doesn’t your iPhone or iPad do this while it’s docked or charging? I need another dedicated device because Cook needs another milli?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacUserFella Avatar
6 days ago at 12:28 pm

"Show" is an interesting word for Apple to choose, because right now, the HomePod isn't able to show anything like the weather or the time because it doesn’t have a screen to display the information.
Yes, it cant show it, hence the message Apple has added
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Scrip Avatar
6 days ago at 12:38 pm
Seems like it would be better to make a speaker dock/stand for an iPad... rather than an iPad-like device that will be permanently chained to a table.

At least you could use the iPad away from the table.

I'm not sure we need a dedicated device for "HomeKit and Matter devices, Weather, Calendar, Apple Music, Photos, Apple News..."

?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
midkay Avatar
6 days ago at 12:52 pm

Seems like it would be better to make a speaker dock/stand for an iPad... rather than an iPad-like device that will be permanently chained to a table.

At least you could use the iPad away from the table.
Yeah, this would be really nice. A speaker dock/stand that, when you drop the iPad into it, automatically goes into a "homeOS"-esque display of Home controls, widgets, one-tap music playback options, etc. And when undocked, switches immediately back into being an iPad.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1Peace Avatar
6 days ago at 12:31 pm
Wondering if there is a market for that kind of device.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Agent007 Avatar
6 days ago at 12:52 pm
Look at the relative sizes of objects in the render - Giant AirPods and a bucket-o-coffee? Or a demi tasse with its own tiny coaster next to a Leica miniature?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)