Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Tom Pritchard

A future Apple HomePod could look more like a soundbar — what we know

The Apple HomePod mini on a shelf next to a window.

There’s been a lot of speculation about what the next version of Apple’s HomePod may be like, and a new patent suggests we may get something different in the future. Apple Insider uncovered a patent filed by Apple, detailing a HomePod that has more of a soundbar-like design.

The patent refers to an “Audio Speaker System”  featuring an “ornamental design for an audio speaker system, as shown and described”. The patent itself is incredibly vague in terms of actual details, but the speaker itself is unlike any HomePod design we’ve seen so far.

The designs show off a horizontal speaker, akin to a chunky soundbar, rather than the existing vertical smart speaker aesthetic. The speaker is angled upwards at the front, and seems to be covered in some kind of material — no doubt something similar to the fabric used on the HomePod and HomePod Mini.

(Image credit: USPTO)

There also seems to be a circular section in the center. While this is certainly going to be some kind of touchpad, it’s possible that this may be some kind of display. We’ve seen display components alleging to be from a future HomePod that feature this same circular design. 

It’s possible that this HomePod soundbar, if it ever sees the light of day, could incorporate this. Or it may be the traditional HomePod touchpad instead. Apple Insider also spotted that the back of the speaker seems to show ports.

This could be a place to connect other devices, like an Apple TV, or potentially even hook the speaker into existing AV setups. However the diagrams aren’t that detailed and it’s impossible to say what ports might be included at this stage.

The biggest issue with existing HomePods is that they’re completely wireless, streaming via Wi-Fi but also supporting Bluetooth and AirPlay from Apple devices. So having extra ports like this could prove to be a huge win, especially among AV enthusiasts.

(Image credit: USPTO)

Of course there’s no guarantee that this is a HomePod, or even that this is a product that’s definitely going to be released. While it looks like a HomePod of sorts, there’s also the possibility that it’ll be some kind of Beats speaker — and possibly smaller than we’d expect a HomePod to be.

Rumor has it that there are multiple versions of the HomePod in the works, including one with a 7-inch iPad-style display. It wouldn’t be surprising if a soundbar-inspired version of the smart speaker is one of the new designs Apple has considered. Though there’s no guarantee that it will release one anytime soon.

But hey, maybe a horizontal HomePod design will help mitigate the problems that caused vibrations from full-size HomePods speakers to leave ugly rings in wooden furniture. That would be something.

More from Tom's Guide

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.