Subj : Apple is working on a mysterious new smart-home accessory, accord To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Fri Jul 05 2024 12:00:05 Apple is working on a mysterious new smart-home accessory, according to a new leak Date: Fri, 05 Jul 2024 10:51:27 +0000 Description: MacRumors claims to have proof that Apple is working on a smart speaker with a built-in display that could come with Apple Intelligence. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Its long been rumored that Apple is working on a smart speaker with a built-in display to compete with products like the Amazon Echo Show , but now news outlet MacRumors claims to have definitive proof that Apple has something up its sleeve. Until now most information about such a device has been limited to supply-chain whispers and analysts opinions, but MacRumors says it's discovered code on Apple's backend that supposedly confirms that the company is working on a mysterious home accessory. While the leak itself doesnt prove it, the contention seems to be that this device is a long-rumored product that blends a HomePod-like speaker with an adjustable touchscreen display. The code in question refers to a device that's identified by the codename 'HomeAccessory17,1'. Interestingly, this is the first Apple device to have the 'HomeAccessory' tag, suggesting that it's a device in an entirely new product category and that lends weight to the idea that this is the mooted HomePod-with-display device that's unlike anything Apple has made before. Powered by the A18 chip Rumors have suggested Apple's home accessory could look something like the iMac G4 (Image credit: Apple) Thats not the only interesting tidbit in the identifier: the 17,1 number also offers up a clue or two. Thats because Apple uses numbers like these to reveal which chip will be in its devices. As we saw earlier this week , the '17' is thought to refer to the A18 series of chips (the discrepancy between the numbers is a quirk of Apple's numbering convention), which implies that the home accessory will be outfitted with the same chip as the upcoming iPhone 16 line. With the A18 in tow, the home accessory would presumably be able to run Apple Intelligence . Apples brand-new artificial intelligence (AI) platform requires at least an A17 Pro chip. The entry-level A18 (as opposed to the A18 Pro) is thought to be based on the A17 Pro , meaning the home accessory could well have the power to run Apple Intelligence and give your smart home a real boost. As well as that, it would likely use the upgraded version of Siri thats coming in iOS 18 , since the existing HomePod relies heavily on Apples virtual assistant. MacRumors says the code also suggests that the home accessory will run on a variant of the Apple TVs tvOS. Its long been rumored that Apple is working on an operating system specifically for smart-home devices (dubbed, unsurprisingly, 'homeOS' ), and this variant could be the first version of that operating system. The code also contains references to two as-yet-unreleased Apple TV models with the identifiers AppleTV14,4 and AppleTV14,5, which might launch later in 2024. With this freshly unearthed code seemingly confirming Apples plans for an enigmatic new home accessory, it might not be long until we see exactly what Apple has been working on. Apples next big launch party is its special event in September, at which all might be revealed. You might also like Apple HomePod leak suggests a full touchscreen display model is coming, but all I want is next-gen Siri Apples HomePod with a screen now rumored for 2025 release, but has the Echo Show already won that smart home race? Apple leak teases homeOS platform that might be a new way to control your smart home ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/apple-is-working-on-a-mysterious-new -smart-home-accessory-according-to-a-new-leak --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .