Rumors about Apple’s new gadget for the house, dubbed HomePad, have been circulating for years, nevertheless it seems like 2026 will lastly be the 12 months it arrives. Now, an important element has been reported by Bloomberg that signifies that the product will quickly hit the market: Apple is aiming for a price ticket of $350 within the U.S.
Apple will provide two variations of the {hardware}: one with the code title J490 within the type of a HomePod mini with a contact display, and one with the code title J491 within the type of a pill that may be hung wherever in the home. The report doesn’t specify which of the 2 might be launched at $350, however primarily based on the code names, the J490 is probably going the entry-level mannequin at $350.
That value is considerably dearer than the present $99 value of the HomePod mini, in addition to the 2nd-generation HomePod, which runs $299. Nonetheless, the HomePadrumored is nearer to an iPad that doubles as a multimedia management heart for all good gadgets within the house. Each gadgets depend on Siri controls, and the good speaker model of Siri is at the moment restricted in its potential and fails in observe with half of all requests, particularly on the subject of third-party streaming companies. The touchscreen that might be on the brand new gadgets will present higher entry to controls.
In accordance with the Bloomberg report, the gadget was completed a 12 months in the past and scheduled for launch again in March. Nonetheless, Apple postponed its revamped Siri launch, and thus, postponed the HomePad. Reviews state that the brand new gadget ought to arrive in spring 2026. Apple is anticipated to fabricate the gadget in Vietnam.
This text initially appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.
