Apple has worked on a docking accessory for the iPad that would allow customers to transform the device into a smart home display, similar to Google’s approach with the Pixel Tablet.
During Google’s last event, it announced that it would offer a charging speaker dock that magnetically attaches to the back of the upcoming Pixel Tablet, essentially turning it into a smart home display like the Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max. Gurman today said that he expects Apple to bring similar functionality to the iPad next year through a docking accessory that would be sold separately, while the company works on a standalone product for the home that combines a display and a smart speaker.
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said:
I’m told Apple is working to bring similar functionality to the iPad as soon as 2023. I reported last year that Apple is exploring a stand-alone device that combines an iPad with a speaker hub. The idea is to offer something that users can place on a kitchen counter, in the living room or on their nightstand. But Apple also has worked on an iPad docking accessory that it could sell separately and would accomplish much of the same thing.
An iPad docking accessory could allow users to use their iPad to control different functions of their home through the Home app, make FaceTime calls using the iPad’s front camera with Center Stage, and more.
Compared to Google and Amazon, Apple has maintained a low profile with products for the home, releasing just the HomePod mini in October 2020 before discontinuing the original HomePod in March 2021. A new full-sized HomePod is one of several products Apple is expected to release in 2023. According to rumors, the new full-sized HomePod will keep the same design as the original smart speaker but feature faster performance and possibly a new display.
Related Stories
iPads Will Work as Home Hubs in iOS 16, But Won’t Support New Home Architecture
Although code in iOS 16 has indicated that the iPad won’t work as a home hub following the update, an Apple spokesperson today told The Verge that the iPad will indeed still be able to be used as a home hub, but with a caveat – it will not support new architecture that is being introduced later this year. The spokesperson said that Apple is planning to “introduce a new architecture,” which…
Apple Confirms iPad Will No Longer Be Supported as a Home Hub in iOS 16
The iPad will no longer be able to be used as a home hub following the launch of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and the HomePod 16 software this fall, Apple confirmed today. As discovered in iOS 16 code by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, Apple says that the iPad will no longer be supported as a home hub. This information will be displayed in the Home app after updating to iOS 16. A home …
What’s Next for HomePod: Larger Model With S8 Chip, Matter Support, and More
While the original HomePod was discontinued over a year ago, rumors suggest that Apple plans to release another larger HomePod model in the future. Meanwhile, the HomePod mini will likely expand its presence by launching in additional countries over time. Keep reading for a recap of the latest rumors about the HomePod and HomePod mini and the future of Apple’s smart home ambitions. New…
Gurman: Apple Considering Updated HomePod Mini Alongside New High-End HomePod
Apple is reportedly considering an update to the HomePod mini as it plans a larger push into the Home devices market, which includes releasing an updated version of the full-sized HomePod in the early months of 2023, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reports that Apple is considering updating the HomePod mini, which was announced in October 2020. …
iPad Home Hub Support Apparently Being Removed in iOS 16
As part of its rebuilt Home app experience in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, Apple appears to be removing support for using an iPad as a Home Hub. For those unfamiliar with what a Home Hub does, the HomeKit framework allows you to remotely control compatible smart home devices, but some features like location-based automation require a designated Home Hub, which remains powered on and connected at…
HomePod 2 Could Feature All-New Touch Interactions
Apple is reportedly considering adding multi-touch functionality to a new version of the HomePod set to launch as soon as next year, hinting at all-new ways to interact with the device. In a recent newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman explained that Apple is likely to release a successor to the original HomePod next year that could feature multi-touch functionality: The HomePod, code-named…
Ikea Debuts Matter-Compatible Smart Home Hub
Swedish furniture and accessory store Ikea today announced the upcoming launch of the Dirigera smart hub, which supports Matter. Matter is a universal smart home automation connectivity standard that is being adopted by Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and other manufacturers. It promises smart home interoperability, and is just beginning to roll out this year. The Dirigera is an upgrade from …
HomePod Mini Likely to Launch in These Four Countries Next
Apple is likely to launch the HomePod mini in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden in the foreseeable future based on Siri language support. In recent software updates, the HomePod and HomePod mini gained support for Siri in Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish. Danish is still not supported on HomePods, but a report earlier this year indicated that the language was being tested. First…
Popular Stories
iOS 16 Features an All-New iPhone Keyboard Layout Option
iOS 16 adds native support for the Dvorak keyboard layout on the iPhone, providing users with an alternative to the standard QWERTY layout. The newly added option was noted by @aaronp613 and others back in July, but the feature remained largely under the radar until it was highlighted this week by Ars Technica and The Verge. Dvorak was designed to make two-handed typing faster and more…
Five New Features Coming to Your iPhone With iOS 16.1 Later This Month
In a few weeks, Apple will release iOS 16.1 for all compatible iPhones, marking the first major update to the iOS 16 operating system since its public release in September. With iOS 16.1, Apple is bringing several new changes, features, and bug fixes to iPhone users. We’ve highlighted five noteworthy changes below. iOS 16.1 is currently still in beta testing with developers and public beta…
What to Expect From Apple Through October: New iPad Pro, iOS 16.1, and More
While it looks increasingly likely that Apple will not be holding an October event this year, the company still has a lot on its agenda this month, with multiple new product launches and software releases expected over the coming weeks. With the iPhone 14 Plus launch in the rearview mirror, we have recapped what else to expect from Apple through the remainder of October below. iPadOS 16…
Apple Could Be Planning to Redesign Messages App Next Year
Apple is reportedly working on a new version of the Messages app that could be released alongside its mixed-reality headset next year. Twitter leaker known as “Majin Bu” today claimed that Apple is working on a completely new version of iMessage, featuring a new home view, chat rooms, video clips, and more. The app purportedly offers “new chat features in AR” and, as such, it “should” be…
Google Completes Rollout of iOS 16 Lock Screen Widgets With Updates to Maps and Search
Google has now rolled out all of the promised Lock Screen widgets for its iPhone apps, including the Google app, Gmail, Google Maps, Chrome, Google News, and Google Drive. The rollout was completed today with two Lock Screen widgets for Maps, following five widgets for the Google app that were released on Wednesday. In version 233.0 of the Google app, the widgets include the following…
10 Cutting Edge Features to Expect From Apple’s Upcoming AR/VR Headset
Apple next year is planning to enter a new product category, launching its first mixed reality headset. Rumors indicate that the upcoming headset will support both AR and VR technology, and that it will have features that will outshine competing products. Render created by Ian Zelbo based on rumored information With the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, Apple’s hardware and software led it to…
Gurman: New M2 iPad Pro Models to Be Announced ‘In a Matter of Days’
Apple will announce new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models in “a matter of days,” respected Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman said today in his latest Power On newsletter. The new 11-inch and 12.9-inch models, codenamed J617 and J620, will be the first update to the higher-end iPad since April 2021, where both models gained the M1 chip and a new 12.-9-inch mini-LED display. For their…
Video Review: One Week With the New iPhone 14 Plus
Apple last Friday introduced the iPhone 14 Plus, a new 6.7-inch device that replaces the previous-generation iPhone 13 mini. The iPhone 14 Plus marks the first time that Apple has sold a more affordable larger-screened iPhone that is not classified as a “Pro” model since the company started debuting four smartphones at a time. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. MacRumors …
.