Apple is gearing up for a significant smart home initiative in 2025, set to include at least three product launches. One of these new devices is a forthcoming smart display which I’ve referred to as the ‘HomePad.’ Here are three compelling reasons to consider placing a HomePad in every room of your home.
Apple Photos Slideshows
According to Mark Gurman, the HomePad “can function as a slideshow display for users’ photos.”
While digital photo frames are not a new concept, they typically come with the drawback of requiring manual uploads of images.
Though third-party services like Google Photos offer workarounds, Apple Photos users have lacked a seamless way to transfer photos to a digital frame.
The HomePad will be the first device capable of achieving this effortlessly.
My spouse and I would love to showcase more photos in our home, but we often fail to get pictures printed and framed. Having a HomePad in every room can generate spontaneous joyful moments as the device highlights cherished memories from our past.
Siri Enhanced with Apple Intelligence
Here’s another insight from Gurman:
[Apple] anticipates that most users will utilize their voice to interact with the device, relying on Siri and Apple Intelligence. The hardware is designed around App Intents, a system that allows AI to execute applications and tasks with precision, scheduled to launch in the coming months.
Current HomePod hardware does not support Apple Intelligence, limiting it to the old version of Siri (at least for now).
Siri’s transition to the Apple Intelligence framework has been complicated, but the upcoming iOS 18.4 update will introduce significant improvements.
The new App Intents system will grant Siri access to hundreds of new actions within apps, enabling it to perform functions it previously could not. Where Siri may have previously disappointed, the promise with iOS 18.4 is that it will finally be the intelligent assistant users have always envisioned.
Installing HomePads throughout the house will provide seamless access to this enhanced Siri experience from virtually anywhere. As Siri’s capabilities expand, users are more likely to become reliant on the assistant.
Affordable Price Point
Apple appears to have taken lessons from its experience with the original HomePod, whose high price made it difficult for widespread adoption.
Reports suggest that the HomePad’s price will “[approach] the prices of competing products.”
This likely places the HomePad in the $150-200 range. While not cheap, this price point is relatively affordable for an Apple product.
One significant trade-off to achieve a lower price may be a smaller display, estimated to be around a 6-inch square. However, this reduced size could facilitate reaching the price target and present another incentive for purchasing multiple HomePads.
HomePad Summary
Apple’s upcoming smart home initiative offers a unique chance for the company to encourage users to buy several units of the same product.
This was seen with the original HomePod and HomePod mini, as well as to a lesser extent, the Apple TV 4K. With the introduction of the HomePad, along with prospective Apple security camera and doorbell offerings, this trend is expected to continue.
Are you planning to purchase a HomePad? Will you consider multiple units? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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