Patently Apple posted a report back in May 2017 titled "Apple's SVP Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller thinks that Echo-Like Devices should have a Display." Oddly Apple never took Schiller's advice for HomePod. Instead, Amazon, Google and even Facebook went on to add display to their Smart Speaker devices leaving Apple in the dust.

In order to be competitive, Apple introduced HomePod mini on October 13, 2020 and repurposed it as a Smart Home Control and intercom system. The new HomePod mini displaced the original HomePod that was now out of date and too expensive. Word surfaced last week that the original HomePod was discontinued – but maybe not dead.

A new Bloomberg report earlier today ended with a reference that Apple had been working on a new HomePod that would sport a display much like those from their main competitors. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman specifically noted: "Before the discontinuation of the larger HomePod, the company had been working on an updated version for release in 2022." Reportedly the redesign was to include new speakers with a screen and cameras, but now it's in question.

Whether that door is officially closed for the original HomePod update or open just a crack for a reinvented model isn't known at this time. Apple could always introduce an iPad mini speaker stand accessory as an alternative device. But at the end of the day, Phil Schiller had the vision and Apple dropped the ball. Will they leave the door open for a crack for a comeback or has its time come and gone?

Side Note: Our cover graphic illustrates a schematic of the 2002 iMac G4 that introduced an LCD display on a swivel arm. It was a very cool design for its time. A nice mini version of that rebranded as a HomePod+ would be a cool idea, with the pod being the smart speaker. It's never going to happen, but one can dream can't they?