While there have been several rumors floating around as to Apple TV and HomePod devices with a touchscreen of later, a set of newly-discovered code references in the tvOS 18 beta point towards a unique feature en route to the HomePod.
A unique touchscreen interface was allegedly found buried in tvOS 18 beta 3, and the finding is actually relevant to the HomePod because the HomePod’s software is an offshoot of the tvOS software. The interface is internally known as “PlasterBoard”, and is in line with the naming for other Apple interfaces, which include SpringBoard for iOS and iPadOS, PineBoard for tvOS, SoundBoard for HomePod, and SurfBoard for visionOS. The interface appears to feature just a Lock Screen with a touch-based keyboard for entering passcodes as of right now, with little else discovered about it.
Both the Apple TV currently lack an option for locking it with a passcode, and the HomePod currently only supports simple gestures. The design referenced in the beta closely resembles the familiar on-screen keypad you’d find on an iPhone or iPad.
Apple is rumored to be working on several home control devices, complete with multiple development paths and prototypes that are being looked into. Additional rumors have also surfaced of a simple HomePod with a touch display at the top, a hybrid HomePod and Apple TV device with a camera, a HomePod with a screen and a camera, and an iPad/HomePod sort of combo that works as a centralized home hub.
Perhaps one of the most interesting rumors has focused on a standard HomePod with an LED touch-based display at the top of the device could potentially be the first HomePod and display combo. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said a HomePod with 7-inch display would launch at some point in 2024, and there have been leaked prototype images.
A recent reference to a “Home Accessory” device with a HomeAccessory17,1 identifier has also been located. No existing HomePod or Apple TV devices use the HomeAccessory identifier, but it is similar to the AudioAccessory identifier that Apple uses internally for the HomePod. Given the numbering, it’s also believed that this device could incorporate the same A18 chip that’s thought to be present for each model of the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.