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I would buy an Apple HomePod — if it had this feature

I would purchase an Apple tree HomePod — if it had this characteristic

HomePod mini at Apple event
(Image credit: Apple tree via YouTube)

There aren't many Apple product lines I haven't owned or tested. One I've avoided is the HomePod — meaning both the original Apple tree HomePod and the $99 Apple HomePod mini —  which is odd, since I write about smart home devices for a living.

My hesitation with HomePod is that it doesn't fulfill a purpose for me. I already have enough of the all-time smart speakers laying around, from superb Sonos soundbars to my ever-reliable Amazon Repeat Dot with Clock. When I need to speak to Siri, I summon information technology from my iPhone or Apple Watch.

Apple has taken major steps to improve the HomeKit feel on my iOS and watchOS devices, specifically updating the app's interface in watchOS viii on my Apple Lookout seven. The revamped HomeKit app is the most underrated new Apple Watch feature in watchOS 8, if you enquire me.

Plus more best smart home device companies offer HomeKit-compatible options than e'er. Nosotros saw several HomeKit-friendly video doorbells at CES 2022, as well as Schlage'south new smart lock that works with Apple'southward digital keys for NFC control via iPhone or Apple Watch.

So it's not really HomeKit that's the problem. Information technology's Apple'south in-firm HomeKit hardware. Though the HomePod mini provides solid audio quality and ensures Siri is always in voice's reach, it'southward not diverse plenty to drive a purchase compared to the variety found amidst the best Alexa speakers and best Google Home speakers.

Something both the Google Nest and Amazon Echo device lineups have that Apple has however to encompass is smart displays. Whether it's on my kitchen counter or bedside table, smart displays provide visual interfaces for communications, amusement, smart home controls and more.

Information technology took me until recently to realize a HomePod with a display is the HomeKit device I've been waiting for. I caught sight of cute HomePod smart display concepts designed by Parker Ortolani for 9to5Mac a few days agone, and haven't been able to stop thinking well-nigh them since.

HomePod mini display

(Image credit: Parker Ortolani via 9to5Mac)

In the realistic-looking renders, Ortolani conjured up a HomePod with a round screen. The device sits on a tilt compared to the actual HomePod mini, placing the speaker'south touchscreen brandish in a natural light of sight.

Ortolani makes a very convincing case for the "HomePod touch," suggesting it should run a version of watchOS. Information technology could borrow the Apple Scout's lookout faces, music player and, of course, HomeKit controls. You can already make and answer phone calls using the HomePod mini, only with a display you could perhaps see contact images, book levels and the status of the mute function.

HomePod Mini concept in lime green, light blue and hot pink

(Prototype credit: Parker Ortolani via 9to5Mac)

The product designer proposes expanding the exterior HomePod mini color options, too. Apple tree initially rolled out the HomePod mini in black and white, then added orangish, yellow and blue versions during an Apple event this past October. While a hot pink HomePod might await overnice alongside my pink iPad mini 6, I'm far less preoccupied with the casing details as I am with wanting a HomePod smart display.

Again, HomeKit successfully won me over. It took a few years, but it'south catching upwardly to Alexa and Google Assistant. I'm but waiting on the HomePod speaker-smart display of my dreams to give HomeKit its main character moment in my smart dwelling.

Kate Kozuch is a senior writer at Tom's Guide covering wearables, TVs and everything smart-home related. When she'due south not in cyborg mode, y'all can find her on an practice wheel or channeling her inner celebrity chef. She and her robot army will rule the world one day, but until then, reach her at kate.kozuch@futurenet.com.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/i-would-buy-an-apple-homepod-if-it-had-a-display

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