In the exciting world of technology and smart home systems, Apple has once again set the rumor mill ablaze. The reason? The discovery of code in the first beta of tvOS 17.4 that hints at the mysterious "homeOS." This revelation raises questions and suggests that Apple may be working on a groundbreaking integration of its tvOS and HomePod software.
Back in 2021, Apple caused a stir by mentioning "homeOS" in job postings, only to later delete them. This piqued the curiosity of the tech world, and since then, Apple has kept its homeOS secrets well-guarded. But now, in the beta of tvOS 17.4, dives the code appears again and suggests that something big is happening behind the scenes.
Apple's homeOS – The future of the smart home?
The origin of the homeOS conundrum lies in Apple's HomePod development. While the HomePod initially ran on a modified version of iOS 11 in 2018, the software was upgraded to tvOS with HomePod Software 13.4. This was the first step toward a potential merger of tvOS and HomePod software, which could be consolidated under the "homeOS" name. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is actively working on a smart home display to compete with rivals such as the Echo Show, Meta Portal, and Google Nest Hub. This display is expected to have an iPad-like design and a camera for FaceTime calls. It could serve as a central console for smart home products and possibly be equipped with HomePod-like speakers. This product could form the basis for Apple's HomePod line in the future.
A new HomePod with display could be released in 2024
There is also speculation about a future generation of HomePod with an integrated display. This device could launch as early as this year and could be a key component of Apple's homeOS initiative. However, it remains unclear whether homeOS will refer to the home hub with an iPad-like design or to the HomePod with a display, or if it has some other meaning. Another interesting discovery in the tvOS 17.4 beta is the SharePlay feature for the HomePod. This update allows users to scan QR codes and start SharePlay sessions directly on the device. A HomePod with a display could offer a similar feature, indicating greater integration of multimedia features into Apple's smart home system. (Photo by Masarik / Bigstockphoto)
