Apple Preps Smart Home Push with Screen-Based HomePod, Tabletop Robot
Tech giant advances its smart home ambitions and diversifies its supply chain, with new device production slated for Vietnam.
Apple is escalating its campaign for the connected home, with plans to develop a new HomePod featuring a screen and a sophisticated tabletop robotic device. In a significant strategic move, the company is reportedly planning to manufacture these next-generation products in Vietnam, deepening its supply chain diversification away from China and signaling a major new product push outside of its core iPhone business.
The consumer electronics behemoth is developing a HomePod with an integrated display to compete directly with established players like Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub. This device is rumored to be a central hub for controlling smart home functions, powered by Siri and Apple's latest AI advancements. Further down the pipeline, Apple is exploring a more ambitious tabletop device that combines an , designed for advanced videoconferencing and smart home management.
The decision to base production for these new devices in Vietnam is a critical component of Apple's evolving global manufacturing strategy. The country has become Apple's most important production hub in Southeast Asia, with suppliers like Foxconn and BYD expanding their operations there. By the end of 2025, Vietnam is projected to handle a significant share of the global production for iPads, Apple Watches, and AirPods. This move not only mitigates geopolitical risks associated with concentrating manufacturing in China but also taps into a growing and skilled labor force.
While these products are still in development and not expected to launch until late 2025 or beyond, they represent a clear strategic direction for Apple. The company is aiming to build a more deeply integrated ecosystem of devices and services centered on the home. For investors, this signals Apple's intent to unlock new revenue streams and capture a larger share of the burgeoning smart home market. The success of this push will depend on its ability to innovate beyond existing products and convince consumers to adopt its vision for a more intelligent, automated living space, a development that is being . This expansion of its manufacturing footprint in Southeast Asia is a key enabler of that long-term strategy, with globally by next year.