Since the HomePod was discontinued in March 2021, Apple’s HomePod Mini has become the smartest speaker for tech lovers. Now, Apple may bring back the larger HomePod. According to Apple analysts Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is likely to bring back the original and larger HomePod in the first quarter of 2023. Apple’s HomePod series has been an extremely popular series in the home smart speaker category. When Apple discontinued the HomePod, the HomePod Mini began to garner all the sales, and last year’s new HomePod Mini was the best-selling speaker in the first quarter of 2022 with just 4.5 million units sold, a 29 percent increase compared to last year. The original HomePod was launched at a price of $349, which was later reduced to $299. Meanwhile, the HomePod Mini costs just $99 and is one of the best affordable smart speakers on the market. Now, Apple is ready to bring back the larger model to boost sales even more. According to AppleInsider, Apple is also reportedly working on a series of “Home” devices that could turn your ordinary home into a smart home. This includes a new device that could connect your HomePod to your Apple TV and FaceTime camera. Apple is already working on a cheaper version of the Apple TV, which currently costs $174.99, quite expensive for a smart set-top box. Apple is also said to be a “device connected to the kitchen that looks like an iPad to a robotic arm on the street.” While the HomePod is expected to launch early next year, the other smart ‘Home’ devices are expected to launch in late 2023 or early 2024.
