Apple’s project to produce its first HomePod with a screen has been delayed at least until 2024 at the earliest, says Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The delay is said to be a part of Apple’s cost-cutting measures intended to make its operations more efficient. Gurman’s comments came in his latest Power On newsletter.
Gurman suggested that by delaying the new HomePod model will allow Apple to allocate its research and development budget to more pressing projects, such as mixed-reality headsets.
Earlier this month, well-connected Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple will debut a redesigned HomePod sporting a 7-inch during the first half of 2024.
Kuo said Apple will unveil a redesigned HomePod boasting a 7-inch panel in “1H24,” with Tianma as the exclusive panel supplier. He went on to say that the new HomePod could enable tighter integration with Apple’s other hardware products, marking a significant shift in the company’s smart home strategy.
Gurman says the delay is part of a strategy to contain costs, as the company attempts to maintain an appearance of stability in these unstable economic times, in an attempt to avoid the heavy cutbacks and layoffs that have recently hit other tech companies including Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.
Apple is reportedly delaying bonuses for corporate teams, pausing hiring on some teams, trimming budgets, and not filling open positions when people leave their positions.